WHEN singers realise that all singing is about training muscles to create sound and a demanding physical activity, then a whole new world is opened up to them. And like any sport, it takes time to build up muscle strength and muscle memory.

It cannot be done overnight, but then suddenly the dreaded choir audition comes around, or a newly appointed conductor wants to hear everyone in the choir, and along comes the singer hoping that you can fix a voice like you can fix a car.

In order to address these scenarios, ten amateur singers were invited from the ages of 12 to 73 and from various choirs in Ilkley and Otley to take part in a day called Spring Clean Your Voice. This was hosted in Ilkley by the soprano, Una Barry, and led by Neil Howlett, the much loved but now-retired international baritone, teacher and vocal researcher who came up all the way from Lincoln. Neil will always be remembered for his outstanding and moving performance of Amfortas in Wagner’s Parsifal at the Proms in 1987 as well as all the years he sung as English National Opera’s principle baritone in London. It was planned as a very technical day for without a technique, your choice of music or being able to interpret the composer’s intentions is severely limited. So the emphasis was placed upon finding that all important start and preparation for every note, vital to avoid the ‘hit and miss’ in singing as well as vocal fatigue. Everyone was encouraged to have a go, ask as many questions as they liked, the results from which would possibly change their thinking and whole approach to singing.

After lunch, Wendy Holtham with her working friend called Stan, joined the group. Wendy is the lead osteopath in Guiseley Osteopathic Centre. Trained in London by Dr Stephen Sandler and others at the British School of Osteopathy, Wendy is not only a sought after osteopath but a fine teacher of osteopathy in Leeds. She used her skeleton Stan to address the whole issue of posture and breathing – vital for producing a good sound as well as good health.

To round off the day, Neil treated everyone to some examples of eight fine singers from his historical CD collection.

Una said: "It was fascinating to hear and learn something about them for they were never pigeonholed into any specific repertoire as is the case today, and particularly with sopranos. It gave everyone much food for thought. Wagner’s music was never sung by big huge ‘Wagner singers’ as we know them today. They also sang Handel and Mozart, and were all Italian trained – an ingredient that exists even today in all good and safe singing. So do look after your voices!"