Building a bridge between body and music : An artistic study of vocal health and improved function through contrasting western classical repertoire

This thesis aims to explore innovative approaches to vocal training and the enhancement of vocal health following a long period of illness. This thesis focuses on the use of western classical repertoire, ranging from renaissance to contemporary music and extended vocal techniques to help improve vocal function. The primary objective is to investigate whether the extended technique used when practicing Sprechgesang can be applied on other western classical music, creating new embodied knowledge that directly supports technical growth while also promoting vocal well-being. This thesis aims to explore how these practices can offer singers a more dynamic andadaptable approach to vocal training, one that encourages flexibility and resilience in theinstrument while navigating the unique challenges of contrasting musical characters. By incorporating extended techniques such as Sprechgesang alongside contrasting repertoire from the Western classical tradition, this study examines how such practices may bridge the gap between traditional vocal training and contemporary performance, supporting both technical development and long-term vocal health.