Music and the Singing Voice: Expressions of the Soul

Music and the Singing Voice have always been defined as the Expression of the Soul. And what soul is more noble than that of a child?

It is no coincidence that the term used to define a child’s voice is "Voce Bianca" (White Voice). To this, I would add the famous line from the film Boychoir:

"This voice doesn't belong to you; you've simply borrowed it."

While today, in the homeland of Belcanto, the operatic voice is well known, the voice of the child and the adolescent remains largely a mystery (excluding rare cases of Opera Foundations and music schools with renowned youth or children's choirs). Our French and German neighbors, by contrast, possess an enviable tradition, and not only in choirs: their young soloists are professionals who surpass many adult singers in skill (I invite you to listen to them in works by J.S. Bach or Mozart’s The Magic Flute).

The Influence of Media and "False Folds"

Unfortunately, our Bel Paese, in addition to lacking an adequate music education in schools worthy of its great tradition, has been literally flooded in recent years by television talent shows. These programs often reward children who succeed in perfectly imitating the voices of adults.

This extravagant trend has not been without side effects; indeed, it is often only in hindsight that we notice how negatively this has impacted both the child’s spirit and their vocal folds.

Vocally speaking, some children are very gifted and manage to imitate an adult sound by using not only their small vocal folds but also what are called false vocal folds (ventricular folds). By engaging these folds, the vocal mass thickens, and the resulting sound is doubled in volume!

This way of singing is, in reality, deeply flawed. It may be pleasant to the ear while the child is young, but as soon as the voice break (mutation) occurs, alas—as if by a wicked spell—the much-acclaimed voice vanishes. In its place, a throaty, graceless, and highly disharmonious (if not altogether out-of-tune) voice suddenly appears.

The Natural Path of Development

For boys, the vocal change from a "white voice" to an adult voice happens abruptly, usually between the ages of 13 and 15. For girls, it is gradual, but it undoubtedly exists for them as well, roughly between the ages of 14 and 17.

It is indisputable that in our time, vocal music has suffered a sharp decline, not only in musical quality but also in what is called "singing from the heart." A question arises spontaneously: how can a child sing from the heart if they must express emotions they do not yet feel as their own, being the emotions of an adult? In such cases, the performance will be nothing more than an imitation—perhaps a very good one, but an imitation nonetheless.

It is vital that entertainment professionals and teachers never forget the indispensable element of Art: Individual Truth, the uniqueness of the individual, and their expression. For this to happen, we must always follow the Nature of young singers, both interpretatively and vocally. A child must have the right to let their voice mature naturally, also to allow for the possibility of a professional future, following the proverb: "Slow and steady wins the race."

The Importance of the Choir

Another fundamental aspect is that a child cannot understand their own vocality if they only ever listen to songs sung by adults. Without a real reference to imitate, they may develop vocal defects that carry into the future, sometimes risking frequent hoarseness or aphonia in their speaking voice.

It is therefore essential that educators, teachers, and parents are aware of this to save children from such unpleasant and bothersome pathologies. On the contrary, it is very important to give children the opportunity to sing in a choir, teaching them pieces specifically composed for their vocal range.

In this way, children and adolescents learn to sing without excessive effort: through fun exercises, they can learn to:

• Breathe with the diaphragm.

• Use their voice in its full range and volume.

• Let go of the fear of judgment.

• Support and help one another.

• Train the ear through polyphonic singing.

Finally, by learning to use the head register—the high register—the innocence of the child manifests in all its purity and splendor.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

A Reward for the Heart

Today, as humanity faces the relentless pressure of a technological approach that distances us from our deepest feelings—favoring a spreading nihilism—the innocence and sense of unity in young people are indispensable for healthy growth.

It is certainly a commitment, especially when a show or concert is approaching, and it must be respected in its timing and methods. But ultimately, this passionate work offers a rich reward: the harmonious unity created by young singers pours over the audience, and the hearts of everyone present melt and fill with wonder at the sound of Free, spontaneous Voices—Voices borrowed from the Angels.