Singing Through Change: Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond

by Nancy Bos, Cate Frazier-Neely, Joanne Bozeman

A book for all women who love to sing and are struggling with change

Written by women, for women, about women, this compelling and easy listen fills a huge hole in what we understand about challenges that female singers face. It is a collection of unique lived singing experiences from every stage in an adult woman's life, accompanied by equally unique and individualized solutions. Singing Through Change is a must-listen for women who sing, and also for anyone who is a voice teacher, singing specialist, or medical professional.

"A thorough, thoughtful, and compassionate look into the complexities surrounding the singing voice for women during midlife and the menopausal transition, interwoven with stories that inform, encourage and inspire us to keep singing. This will no doubt be a tremendous resource for the singing and medical communities for years to come." (Lori L. Sonnenberg, Clinical Speech Pathologist, Singing Voice Specialist, Soprano - Sonnenberg Voice)

"Readers will find a bounty of information which, for the first time, summarizes current research on adult female voice change, while allowing a glimpse into the lives of women who have faced the results of adult female voice change. Written in an accessible style, the book provides case studies which enable a better understanding of adult female voice change and its effects physically, vocally, emotionally, psychologically and socially. This book will be an invaluable resource to singers, voice teachers, choral directors and any woman who loves to sing!" (Lynne Gackle, Ph.D., Baylor University, President, ACDA, Author, Finding Ophelia's Voice, Opening Ophelia's Nurturing the Adolescent Female Voice)

Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman, and Cate Frazier-Neely are known experts in voice. Their cumulative careers of over a century form a broad scope of experience in voice health and pedagogy. Singing Through Change is the culmination of over two years of joint research of female singing voice.

Audible Audio

First published April 12, 2020

Reviews

[Jane Potter Baumer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a post-menopause classical singer and SLP, I was interested in this book from both a personal and a professional standpoint. The strength of this book is that it is a collection of stories - compelling stories of women who have tried, succeeded, struggled (and in some cases failed) to continue to sing in the ways they had been, or wanted to, during the peri- and post-menopausal periods of their lives. As with much writing by and about women, these stories are about women who persevere in singing, in the face of obstacles in all directions, and over long periods of time (sometimes decades). These women notice changes in range, registers, passage places (passaggio), quality, timbre, breath support, and endurance as they move through and past menopause. In some cases, they find professionals who can and do help them, but these professionals are hindered by a lack of research about voice in menopausal women from which to draw evidence-based practices. This is something I heard just last week from a PhD in communication sciences (who specializes in the singing voice) as I was seeking treatment for my own age related voices changes. Basically, she said, we know there are changes in hormones that result in decreases muscle tone and elasticity, but that's really all we know. Women have long been told that our perceptions about our bodies are "all in our head," so we tend to ignore, and persist in singing in menopause, amid mounting frustration. Unfortunately, we also continue to try to adapt to a world that expects our singing voices to remain the same throughout our lives. This book will not give you *an* answer if you are struggling with menopausal voice changes. Instead, it gives you *many* answers with which to arm yourself as you make your way forward. From here, you may be inspired, as I was, at age 54, to seek out a voice clinic, get some therapy, and to start taking singing lessons again. Here's to the rest of our lives as singers. And now, I'm off to "work it out alone." Toi, toi, toi!

[Kath Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Singing Through Change fabulous resource for all pedagogues, singers and voice teachers, supportive and full of compassion and empathy. At a level of excellence that is a pleasure to read, and a subject that needs attention, and addressing and discussion. Thank you to the 3 wonderful writers for bringing this subject to light ...3 leaders in the field of voice internationally, a must read for all singers and teachers of all genders and genres.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It will stay on my studio shelf for years and years. I have recommended it to students who are experience voice change. I my self have struggled for three years with voice changes that cause me to be unable to phonate cleanly. The stories in this book are incredibly supportive and informative.

[Lindsey Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every singer and voice teacher should have a copy of this book!! It is well researched and has a lot of information that is not available elsewhere on the female voice.

[Valeria Koopman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We have a long way to go to correct the origins and centuries of neglect, mistreatment, and imbalance of attention to women's health issues…”

Singing Through Change: Women’s Voices In Midlife, Menopause, And Beyond is a gift to the body, mind, and soul of anyone who identifies as a female singer.

This is a healing book for the singing voices, but also for the painful legacy of women and the misunderstandings of their unique expression in a female body.

The authors’ work is practical, clear, and enlightening. It aims to support female singers facing issues through their experience with menopause. It's a rich, compassionate and generous book.

It was a wonderful experience to have had a conversation with Nancy Bos during a podcast interview! Her compassionate presence, wisdom, and clarity reflected her commitment to changing lives!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Singing Through Change is an excellent book for vocal health and pedagogy professionals, professional singers, and avocational singers alike. There are so few resources that even begin to reference menopause and the singing voice. Bos, Bozeman, and Frazier-Neely navigate these uncharted waters with the first book focused solely on the aging female voice. The primary focus of the book is personal stories, which can help female singers of all genres/careers find an experience that can relate to their own life. For those who don't know about the challenges of menopause and the aging female voice, this serves as a reference point. As a voice professor and church music director, I love that I can recommend this for aspiring voice teachers, for members of my church choir, and for private students who wish to understand their own changing voices. I love the balance in this book between data and anecdote, and appreciate so deeply that these three brilliant teachers chose to focus their book on a broad audience without sacrificing science or quality of text. Highly recommended.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you sing or work with singers, this book is a very interesting read. Women have hormone fluctuations their entire life. If you thought that they are only worth a note in the margin, think again. Some may be minor, but others have massive impacts. This book tells you more about what they can do to the voice. Personal stories are interwoven with information. This not only helps to understand the extend of the issues, but also makes it very clear that every person is different, and therefore the outcome for every single one of us will be different. This book should be on every voice teacher and choral conductors list!

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an important read for me as a voice teacher and a woman in her 30s. I have such a better understanding of my instrument and the changes I will experience. Also feel so prepared to help women of all ages feel good about their singing voices. We are never too old.
That’s a false and damaging idea that needs squashed. Happy to own this book and pass it down to the next lady that needs it.

[Dorothy Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful in understanding the way women's' voices change throughout their lives.