The President's letter
April 2007 - Janice Chapman AUA OAM, BVA President 2006-2007
I have recently been forced to stop in my tracks. Those of you who know me well will recognise that it has taken a "Monty Python"-style boot to descend to make this happen, but it has caused me to think about many issues in my life including the BVA in a practical and critical way.
2007 is, in essence the 21st birthday year of the Association in its two main forms (The Voice Research Society having preceded the BVA) and offers us a chance to evaluate and appreciate what we have achieved during these years, give ourselves a pat on the back (or a kick where it hurts if needed), and perhaps see our way forward with clarity.
As a singer and singing teacher I may be biased, but I believe that we (the practitioners of our craft and art to Olympic standard) have benefited hugely. My colleagues in the theatre/drama/business voice world feel most empowered by the help they have had from the BVA's many courses and seminars. I know many of the Speech and Language Therapists who are interested in voice feel that they have been the most advantaged by the multidisciplinary work. There are manual and other therapists who feel the same way. ENT surgeons and physicians, and scientific researchers are also very much aware of the benefits personally and to their professions.
Then there are our clients and patients, who continue to thank us for our knowledge base and professional expertise, which makes such a difference to their well-being and sometimes their ability to make a living.
What I would like to propose is that members who feel so inclined write a short 21st birthday greeting for inclusion in the next newsletter. This should be sent either to myself (email: chapmanjanice@hotmail.com) or Lynne Wayman ( email: lynnewayman.voicecentre@virgin.net)
We have some goodies brewing for our members in the next few months. On May 9th a team from the BVA will present a "Roadshow" for the staff and students at the Royal College of Music.
May 13 will be a much requested "Mechanics of Breathing" day at the Novartis Foundation, Regent St., with the chance to experience groundbreaking work, backed up by the ultrasound pictures by Ed Blake and Jane Grey, Dr. John Costello talking about mechanics and the respiratory diseases which affect voice, the historical perspective from Gordon Stewart, and some practical demonstrations in the afternoon on breathing for various vocal styles.
July 1st will be our AGM and study day with the inaugural Gunnar Rugheimer Lecture by Prof. Hardcastle of the Speech Science Research Centre, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, and interactive workshops "Swapping Techniques" where a number of different practitioners demonstrate their typical way of working with clients/patients. i.e. What goes on in a typical SLT's vocal rehabilitation appointment? What goes on in a typical singing lesson, vocal coaching session, or theatre/drama voice coaching? What can we expect in a typical ENT voice clinic appointment? What happens in a manual therapy session? It is intended that attendees will visit the other professionals rather than their own. Please put Sunday, July 1st at the Royal Academy of Music into your diaries.
And finally, thank you to so many BVA members and colleagues for your personal messages over the past 6 months. I am undone by such kindness.