A Song A Week Project v.10 – “Summertime” from Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess

Route 15. Summer's coming.

The Song: "Summertime" from the 1935 Opera by the stellar George Gershwin. About the recording: Recorded in 2011 at Cove Presbyterian Church in Covesville, Virginia. Lots of angels in the rafters in that church. Piano: Linda Blondel, ticklin' … [Read more...]

A Song a Week Project v. 9 – “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley

Song: "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. Yes, yes I did go there. As just fabulously soulful me with my lighter soprano voice. About choosing this song: I have a propensity towards melancholy songs. It's like the ache of the universe can flow through my … [Read more...]

A Song a Week Project v.8 – Taize and Scripture with “The Voice of God”

My father has been a large source of inspiration for me in presence - when presenting, performing, and being present to other human beings. He also happens to have - or so it's been said by others - to have "The Voice of God." It's kind of true. … [Read more...]

A Song a Week Project v. 7 – “Marry Me” by Train

Heather recording "Marry Me" with Derek Tobler

One of Charlottesville's most popular wedding DJs is Derek Tobler. As fortune would have it, he happens to be one of my neighbors. He's the kind of neighbor you're glad to have. He's also the kind of professional that others professionals say really … [Read more...]

A Song a Week Project v. 6 – “Someone Like You” by Adele

Heather recording at home

  Song: "Someone Like You" by Adele. Who: Me and pianist, Ashleigh Russell. Ashleigh came to me like an angel, through my a music minister friend at the Catholic church. He said to me, "Ashleigh's always looking for a fun project to … [Read more...]

A Song a Week Project v. 5 – Haydn Lord Nelson Mass and The Oratorio Society of Virginia

Rehearsal for Oratorio Society of Virginia

A little background to this week's song post: The past couple of weeks I've spent a fair amount of energy in rehearsals for a choir I belong to called "The Oratorio Society of Virginia." Choral work is a huge part of my life and identity as a … [Read more...]

A Song a Week Project – v. 4 “What a Wonderful World”

(Trouble loading the song on the page? Check out the clip HERE) Rob Richmond of Bay 1 Studios and I teamed up again to bring to you a spin on Louis Armstrong's classic: "What a Wonderful World." We added our own wistful touch to the tune, and Rob … [Read more...]

The Top 3 Misconceptions About Singers

Top 3 Misconceptions about singers

Amongst singers and Gleeks, singers are a vastly understood bunch. What’s not to understand about spontaneously bursting into song, sublime pleasure at a perfectly sung 8-part harmony, and the collective consciousness required to execute a group … [Read more...]

My Ideal Student: A Venn Diagram

Heather Hightower idea student

This morning one of my students came for her weekly vocal coaching lesson. We found ourselves laughing, making weird faces, and giggling about Trekkies. Here's what she sent me after our time together: "Heather Hightower's Ideal Student … [Read more...]

A Song a Week Project v. 3 – Kyrie, a simple canon for multiple voices

Kyrie Canon for multiple voices

Welcome back for my next installment of my "A Song a Week Project"! Today I bring you the simple joy of a cappella music AND a behind the scenes discussion with my song partner, Beth Neville Evans, the fearless Director of The Ixtatan Foundation, … [Read more...]