Kate's Voice

Margaret Whiting was someone my mom talked about a lot.   Their birthdays were two days apart,  and Margaret’s music was some of my mom’s favorite.  They practically grew up together!  About twelve years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Margaret and her husband, Jack Wrangler.  Jack wrote my second cabaret show, and it was such great fun!  Margaret became a guest on that show.  She was so elegant and serene.  What a wonderful presence on stage and even then she still sang the hell out of  “One more for my baby.” Later that year, she returned to help us do a New Year’s Eve show to bring in the millennium, and again she wowed us with “What are you doing New Year’s Eve.”  She even sang a duet with my daughter, “I’m Old Fashioned.”

To hear more about Margaret, here is a lovely remembrance of her that was on NPR Fresh Air this morning.

I could not find any YouTube videos of Margaret in action, but below is one that features a recording of her singing “It’s a most unusual day.”  Listen to the clarity and speech -level singing.   (If you find any, let me know please!) She will be remembered for her clear voice and her career that spanned six decades.  And I will remember the day we went shopping together and the clip on earrings she gave me because I needed something more…well…sassy and fun!…

Update:  Lovely article on Margaret in the New York Times

Article on Cabaret Hotline Online with links to radio show tributes and other articles.

As humans, we are passionately driven to communicate. We want to be heard. We want to be understood. But to be heard above all the noise of our culture, you must have a voice that others will listen to. There has never been a better time to develop that voice. Resources for study and practice are abundant. Expertise is at an all time high and instead of taking on less importance as our technology advances, the human voice is more important than ever, adding warmth and humanity to a digital world. So if you are ready, make the commitment now. Find your voice in 2011 and use it. Here’s how:

Find it at home: Sing in the shower. Hum while you work. Practice your talks out loud in your living room. Above all, have more conversations that matter with your friends and family.

Find it at work: Volunteer to give more presentations…and make them good. Speak up in meetings. Take advantage of trainings that are offered on communication skills. Bring in a speaker for a brown bag lunch workshop on getting over stage fright. Have more conversations that matter with co-workers. Keep your intention aligned with your message and both with the sound of your voice.  Listen.

Find it with a coach: Perhaps this is the year to take a class in public speaking or singing,  take a workshop on communication,  OR maybe it’s the year to finally get a private coach.  Get recommendations for vocal coaches in your area and take some lessons with a few until you find the one that is right for you. Sign up for a course of study. Ask questions. Commit time to practice.  Do the work.

Find it in your community: Join Toastmasters. Join a community choir. Audition for a play or a musical. Be the voice for those who cannot speak on their own behalf. Speak out for a political or community cause. Join the speaker’s bureau at a local charity.

Find it online: Create a video and put it up on YouTube. Make comments on blogs and polls. Reach out to others of similar interest. Create a pod cast and share your expertise with others. And, of course, subscribe to Kate’sVoice and read it regularly for more voice tips and techniques!!

The sound of another voice and the touch of another hand are among life’s most precious offerings. In the end, connection with others is at the core of our desires. Creating clear communication takes consistent, focused attention and work, but it is work that will bring the greatest rewards that life has to offer. Make this the year that you find your voice and use it to connect with others, get more of what you want out of life, and make a difference for all of us. Happy New Year!

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And please do join in the conversation by leaving a comment below.  How will you find your voice in 2011??