With all our interest in singing and the voice, Tosini thought the time was right to mark the World Voice Day event in Ireland, and particularly in Belfast, where Tosini is based.  We have much to celebrate - 3 Tosini students who have attended our workshops are all heading off to London in September to further their studies, we have a healthy membership of teachers from all over Ireland who welcome the opportunities that Tosini gives them to develop their teaching skills and we have built up an audience base who shares our love of good singing. 

But we didn't just want the evening to be about singing.  As singing teachers, we understand the importance of good vocal habits and last year, when Speech & Language Therapist, Valerie Morton from the Belfast City Hospital, gave a workshop on Vocal Health at our Summer Vocal Workshops, it was completely booked out.  So, we contacted Valerie to see if we could liaise with her and make our event even more special.  To our delight, Valerie agreed to come all along and speak at the beginning of the evening.  Valerie also contacted a patient of hers, a local media personality & broadcaster, Ronan Kelly and asked if he would also be willing to speak on the night.  Ronan very generously waived his right to confidentiality and agreed to come along and speak to us and also to help to promote the event in any way he could. Speaking to an audience of over 200, 

Valerie welcomed everyone to the first World Voice Day event held in Belfast and explained a little of the background of the   Valerie then introduced Ronan Kelly and we were all very touched to hear his moving story and struck by his amazing honesty and warmth.  Unbeknown to us, Ronan had attended a previous Tosini event in Armagh in August 2006, where a ENT Consultant, Peter Leyden  had 'scoped'  one of the voice tutors and we had observed his vocal folds in action whilst he spoke and sang.  Ronan had been really intrigued by what he saw that evening but little did he know that 9 months later he would be needing this proceedure himself.  Thankfully, Ronan has now made a full recovery and as he concluded his talk,  we all became acutely aware of just what a special gift the voice is. 

Tosini was also delighted that the ENT Consultant, Mr, Peter Leyden was able to attend the concert and he thoroughly enjoyed the whole event.   The concert that followed - Songs from the Heart.....and Soul!   was a resounding success!  We had music from Handel, Mozart, Bizet, Bellini, Schumann, Satie, Ireland & Head with the first half ending with the hilarious 'Cat Duet' .  After a short interval, the audience were then treated to a brief  history of  Musical Theatre, giving us some wonderful singing and really exciting performances from our singers. 

The audience showed their appreciation generously and Mairead Duffy, Tosini Chair thanked all of those involved for making the evening such a success. 

Here's to World Voice Day 2009!