As part of the Wellcome Trust’s 75th Anniversary celebrations, soprano Dame Gwyneth Jones will take to the stage to present The Science of Singing in an innovative event to mark the anniversary. Inspired by groundbreaking achievements made by the Trust in vocal health, the science behind singing and music will be explored at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
On Saturday 18th June, Dame Gwyneth Jones will host an advanced vocal masterclass, building on the importance of vocal health and the benefits that singing can bring. Tom Harris, a leading vocal consultant and founding chairman of the Voice Research Society, will explain the science behind singing and the benefits it can bring to a individual’s health.
To complement this event, a Wellcome Trust exhibit installed at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, during the week of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, 13th-18th June, will explore the science of singing and music. Interactive activities for visitors will include the chance to auto-tune their voice, test their musical perception and try vocal remedies of myth and science at The Remedy Bar. The bar will serve a small selection of cures and aids that have been used by celebrities and professionals alike over the past 75 years, examining the science behind each one.
Dame Gwyneth Jones, who will be 75 in November, epitomizes the health and well-being benefits that singing can bring and the importance of looking after vocal health. At 28 years of age Dame Gwyneth replaced Leontyne Price in a New Guilini/Visconti Production of “Il Trovatore” at The Royal Opera Covent Garden resulting in immediate International acclaim and the beginning of her long successful career. Her powerful dramatic soprano voice and stage presence are widely admired, and she continues to be held in professional high regard.
Speaking about the science of singing, Tom Harris said, “In recent years research has continued to show the physical, psychological and emotional benefits that singing can bring. It exercises major muscle groups in the upper body encouraging oxygen flow into the bloodstream; this aerobic activity has been linked to stress reduction, longevity and better overall health.”
Over the past 75 years the Wellcome Trust has funded many ground breaking projects. Most recently, the Trust supported Professor Martin Birchall who developed techniques leading to a pioneering Larynx transplant, restoring the voice of a woman who had lost the ability to breathe and speak unaided over 11years. Professor Martin Birchall is the first surgeon ever to receive Trust funding.
Before this, and despite decades of effort, patients with advanced laryngeal disease were continuing to receive surgery where the techniques had not changed for 150 years. Funding from the Wellcome Trust has enabled a greater understanding of laryngotracheal transplantation and contributed to these developments in biomedical history.
This is another example of how the Wellcome Trust has revolutionized the biomedical industry and made huge strides in human and animal health, by supporting the biggest developments in biomedical science and medical humanities.
Speaking on behalf of the Wellcome Trust, Mark Walport, CEO said:
“The Trust for a long time has been at the forefront of exploring science through the arts in unique ways, so the Wellcome Trust 75th Anniversary Summer Series is the perfect celebration of its history. In the 75 years we have been carrying out Sir Henry Wellcome’s legacy, the Trust invests £600 million a year in bringing the arts and sciences together, while continuing to be instrumental in achieving some of the most important discoveries and developments in human and animal health.”
Dame Gwyneth Jones said:
“I am delighted to be working with the Wellcome Trust to celebrate their 75th anniversary and demonstrate how an informed understanding of proper vocal technique can ensure that singers like myself are able to perform successfully throughout a lengthy career.”
Dates, venues & tickets
Tickets for Dame Gwyneth’s Science of Singing Masterclass with vocal consultant Tom Harris on Saturday 18th June, 2:30 – 3:30pm at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama are £5 and available from St David’s Hall Box Office in person, by phone or by post.
The Science of Singing exhibit and Remedy Bar is open to the public from Monday 13th June until Saturday 18th June, 10.00 – 7:15pm, St David’s Hall, Cardiff.
The Wellcome Trust 75th Anniversary Summer Series launches on Monday 13th June 2011 with The Science of Singing and runs until September 2011.
Science of Singing’ is part of the Wellcome Trust’s 75th Anniversary Summer Series – Dame Gwyneth Jones’ Masterclass is on Saturday 18th June 2:30 -3:30 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama – The ‘Science and Singing’ Exhibit runs from Monday 13th June – Saturday 18th June 10:00 – 7:15, St David’s Hall, Cardiff. See www.wellcome.ac.uk for more information.
