Modern Singer Book Club: June
Summer is here, and our book club is back again! This year, we want to challenge everyone to pick up something new, so we cultivated a list of books in three categories: For Thought— books that have been turned into operas, For Music— books about music and the industry, and For Learning— books about something outside of the music industry. This month's focus is on being a more well-rounded human. It can be easy to get wrapped up in the music you perform. Break out of your comfort zone this month and learn about something new!
For Thought
Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 by Julia Child
You wouldn't think a cookbook would inspire an opera, but Lee Hoiby made it work with Bon Appetit! Julia Child's classic, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, is perfect for both seasoned cooks and beginners who love good food. If you long to reproduce the savory delights of this classic cuisine at home, this book will help you whip up everything from historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly artless perfection of a dish of spring-green peas. With more than 100 instructive illustrations, this gorgeous book is revolutionary in its approach of getting to know the food you make right from the beginning of the process. Not only will you learn French cooking techniques, but you will also end up with a better knowledge surrounding the raw ingredients you use! Get to know your food better as you practice your best Julia Child impressions.
For Music
Piano Book for Adult Beginners by Damon Ferrante
These lessons will greatly expand your piano repertoire and improve your technique, creativity, and understanding of music. Whether you are teaching yourself piano or learning with an instructor, this book and its accompanying streaming video course will take your piano playing to a whole new level! As singers, it's important to be able to understand more than just singing. Learn a new skill this summer and set yourself up for success!
For Learning
The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country by Helen Russell
The happiest place on earth isn’t Disneyland but Denmark, a land often thought of by foreigners as consisting entirely of long dark winters, cured herring, Lego, and pastries. What is the secret to their success? From childcare, education, food, and interior design to seasonal affective disorder, taxes, sexism, and an unfortunate predilection for burning witches, The Year of Living Danishly is a funny yet poignant record of a journey that shows us where the Danes get it right, where they get it wrong, and how we might just benefit from living a little more Danishly ourselves.
