Sing Out Loud, Sing Out Long Professional contemporary gig singers; an insider view

Abstract

Globally and nationally, the vast majority of professional singers work in the contemporary commercial music (CCM) industry, yet little is known about them as a population. CCM singers use a very different vocal production to their classical contemporaries, this difference being fuelled by specific style demands of the music and the disparate performance conditions of venue and environment. In this book Irene Bartlett has drawn from her extensive pedagogical work with CCM singers in private studio and tertiary settings and her life-long experience as a professional contemporary gig singer. Her 'insider' knowledge of this significant group of professional voice users is supported by research data from her study of professional contemporary gig singers (PCGS) where the lived-experiences of the PCGS participants provided important generic contextual information about the challenges faced by the group as they grew and maintained their careers.