Baylor School of Music to Celebrate World Voice Day with Discussion on Vocal Health

April 10, 2015

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Media contact: Terry Goodrich, (254) 710-3321

WACO, Texas (April 10, 2015) – It’s not just singers who face vocal issues. Everyone uses their voices daily to communicate thoughts and emotions. Since we are only given one voice, it’s crucial to know how to protect it.

A part of World Voice Day, Baylor University’s School of Music will partner with the Clinical Center for Voice Care at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center for a program on vocal health on Thursday, April 16, in Roxy Grove Hall.

The event is free and open to the public.

”It is important to know how to care for your voice and keep it healthy, particularly if you have a job where you must constantly use it,” said Randall Umstead, D.M.A., associate professor of voice and chair of the division of vocal studies. “We’re fortunate to have such prominent voice specialists sharing their knowledge and medical expertise regarding vocal health and care.”

As part of the program, Lesley Childs, M.D., who specializes in laryngology, neurolaryngology and care of the professional voice at UT Southwestern’s Clinical Center for Voice Care in Dallas, and Baylor alumna Amy Hamilton, B.M.Ed. (choral music and voice) ’98, speech pathologist and voice therapist at UT Southwestern, will host a session on vocal health and the physiology of voice production at 11 a.m. in Roxy Grove Hall.

“We are only given one set of vocal folds, and they’re precious,” Childs said. “Even if you’re not a singer, we all rely on those folds to communicate day in and day out.”

World Voice Day encourages the public to assess their vocal health and take action to improve or maintain good voice habits. The holiday was founded in 2002 by the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, which sponsors the event.

“Vocal issues are surprisingly more common than the general public is aware of,” Childs said. “That’s why events like World Voice Day are crucial to raise awareness of vocal health. If vocal issues are identified early, the majority of them are reversible to some extent or entirely. People need to be aware so they can see a laryngologist sooner rather than later.”

After the presentation, Childs and Hamilton, along with Ted Mau, M.D., director of the UT Southwestern Clinical Center for Voice Care, will perform free vocal screenings for select Baylor voice students from 1 to 3 p.m.

“Hoarseness, vocal fatigue, breathiness and an inability to project are all results of vocal health issues,” Childs said. “Good preventative measures include drinking plenty of water, not smoking and pacing yourself vocally. Don’t overdo it. Everyone should take care of their instrument.”

Roxy Grove Hall is located within Waco Hall at 624 Speight Ave.

by Ashton Brown, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC

The Baylor University School of Music provides transformational experiences that prepare students for careers in music. Our students thrive in a Christian environment characterized by a nurturing resident faculty, an unwavering pursuit of musical excellence, a global perspective, dedication to service, and devotion to faith. They investigate the rich musical and cultural heritage of the past, develop superior musical skills and knowledge in the present, and explore and create new modes of musical expression for the future. While preparing for future leadership roles, the students join with School of Music faculty in enhancing the quality of community life, enriching the larger culture, and making Baylor a place in which heart, mind and soul coalesce. The School of Music of Baylor University is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Texas Association of Music Schools. Degree programs leading to the bachelor of music education degree conform to certification requirements of the Texas Education Agency.