LU professors present research on vocal techniques at international conference

Dr. Serdar Ilban and Dr. James Han, faculty members from the Mary Morgan Moore Department of Music at Lamar University, were invited to present their research at the 15th Pan European Voice Conference (PEVoC) held in Santander, Spain, from Sept. 4-7, 2024. The biannual conference provides a global forum where voice professionals from across pedagogical, artistic, medical, and scientific domains gather to share their research and insights.

Drs. Ilban and Han's presentation, titled "Conflict and Resolution: Common Sense Oriented Solutions to the Historical Choral-Vocal Problem," examined the longstanding tension between choir directors and voice teachers regarding vocal techniques. Their research sought to address the root causes of this issue through a survey conducted with colleagues from major colleges and universities.

"The catalyst for our research and collaboration was our shared desire to understand the roots of the longstanding tension between voice teachers and choir directors," Dr. Ilban said. "A few years ago, Dr. Han and I reached out to colleagues to conduct a survey on this topic."

The survey highlighted significant friction between the uniform techniques required for choral singing and the individual expression emphasized in solo vocal training. "Key issues included the challenge of adapting personal vocal techniques to meet ensemble needs, differing opinions on vocal health, and conflicting educational philosophies," Dr. Ilban said.

One of the major findings of their research was the communication gap between choir directors and voice teachers. "The survey showed that many educators experience friction due to a lack of communication and understanding of each other's methods," Dr. Ilban said.

However, their research also revealed that while choral and solo vocal techniques have distinct objectives, they are not inherently in conflict.

"Our research confirmed that choral and solo techniques are complementary, not opposed. Resolving these tensions requires open dialogue, collaborative workshops, and a unified approach to training," Dr. Ilban said. "By fostering mutual respect and flexibility, voice teachers and choir directors can create a more cohesive training environment that benefits both soloists and ensemble singers."

Dr. Ilban described the experience of presenting at PEVoC as a highlight of their academic work. "Presenting research on an international platform is always a valuable learning experience," he said. "We were exposed to a wide range of innovative research and connected with industry professionals from around the world."

He also noted that the presentation was well received. "Our session was well attended, and we got positive feedback. It was an added bonus that the conference took place in the beautiful city of Santander in northern Spain."

Want to learn more about LU's Department of Music? See for yourself at https://www.lamar.edu/fine-arts-communication/music/index.html

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