Nina Sharma’s Post

Not many people will know that I run a 7 piece worship blues band. And it's my great privilege to play alongside Mark Gregory each week. Mark was one of the founder band members of Hillsong Church in Australia - which is a worldwide phenomenon. Mark has performed to hundreds of thousands of people, and I've learned a lot from this charming humble man. I'm also lucky, that I've played in other music groups, including 'brass bands', 'orchestras', 'rock bands' and sung in several choirs. And i've learned from each of these fantastic experiences. The similarities between 'playing' and 'marketing' haven't been lost on me, and are actually deeply entwined. Leading a band, is like leading a marketing team. You need other people around you...and you need them to perform at their maximum skill set. And if they don't perform...you encourage...you coach you teach...you help them to get to the level they need to be. Clear communication, describing where you need them to get to, is key to getting the best out of your team, and producing a great sound too. And you need to listen....listen to what your band members / team are doing. You need to understand where and when it's not quite 'working' and you need to be able to make those tweaks. As a manager, how guilty are we when we don't listen..? Get the right tools for the job. Yep...having a great sound man....the right instruments...all essential. Likewise...you need the right marketing tools and the right support people. Timing too is key....keeping everything working together produces maximum synergy and the best possible results. Otherwise...it can quite simply be a shambles..!! Don't go too fast...or too slow...and is everyone at the same speed..? It then makes you start thinking about how many products have failed because the timing has been wrong. Launching a new song...is like launching a new product. You have to know it inside out before you're ready to play it for the first time. Those intricate harmonies and details need to be understood and also need to be evident to all. And then you need to present it - how do you do that..? Then there's your audience. You have to listen to them. You have to know when to react to you audience and your customers. You need feedback...you need to understand what your audience think. The 'voice of the customer' is paramount - give them something they want and need. Then there's belief. Belief and trust in what you're playing...or launching. Don't believe in it...then there's no passion...no 'x-factor'. Playing in The The Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday afternoon, wasn't exactly Glastonbury. But it was like 'my Glastonbury'. We prepared in exactly the same way we would have done if we had been playing on the Pyramid Stage. We planned. We prepared. We practiced our hearts out. And we performed..! No matter how big or small your gig...or your product launch is…the passion should be the same. #glastonbury #hillsong photo credit Mark Westley

Should you learn from the MASTERS⁉️… When I was in college studying voice, a common theme among my teachers was to sing in your own way. They advised against listening to other renditions of a song you're trying to learn and suggested relying solely on your voice and the sheet music. This was 20 years ago. Fast forward to today, with advancements in technology and evolving practices, I largely disagree with this approach. While the old method might work for some, I believe it isn't the best advice for most singers. To become great, you must first emulate the greats. 1️⃣ 🎵 If you aspire to be an exceptional classical singer with an amazing voice, it's beneficial to listen to renditions by renowned opera singers like Maria Callas, Jessye Norman and Renée Fleming, just to name a few. These professionals have honed their craft over many years, and you can learn from their nuances, tempos, and rhythms. Having a point of reference helps you understand where your voice fits and what audiences appreciate. 2️⃣ 🎶 Relying solely on sheet music and your voice can feel like driving blind; you might struggle with style, direction, and audience preferences. If you're serious about becoming a great opera singer, start by listening to your favorite renditions. 3️⃣ 🌟 Ensure you choose singers with similar voice types and ranges. Picking voices too different from your own can be challenging and unproductive. Follow those whose voices align with yours and who have achieved what you aspire to. #VocalMastery #VocalTechnique #ClassicalVoice 🎥 Heather promotion concert 🎶 full song here ⬇️ https://bit.ly/3woK97C

Wholeheartedly agree! Learning from industry leaders can offer valuable insights and aid in discovering your own unique style.

I've got two posts to share with you today on musical #creativity in the #babyroom. In part 1, I share my enthusiasm with bringing music into the baby room - how music is so important for connection, for communication. Here's my main message: music makes us human, and great baby rooms are a celebration of everything that makes us more human. Paolo Freire talked about how education makes us more fully human... I see the baby room in that way; it's a chance to be more fully human together, whether we're a baby or an adult. https://lnkd.in/eM5aEcbW In part 2, I offer up some reflective prompts about how we enjoy, appreciate, create and share music in the baby room. I hope this will help you to think about what you're doing at the moment, what you're proud of and where there might be some opportunities for growth. I also make a specific invitation (repeatedly) - to start bringing music that goes beyond nursery rhymes into the baby room. Don't get me wrong, nursery rhymes are wonderful... but we can enjoy, appreciate and share all kinds of music with babies and their families and in doing so, we can find joy and connection in musical creativity.

Music educators, I have a controversial question: What would you think about requiring band, choir, and orchestra directors to be proficient enough on their primary instrument/voice to be able to play the All-State etudes and excerpts? What would you do if you had to audition in addition to interview for a teaching position? Tell me below ⬇️

Simi Defends Her Voice Against Critics ____ Nigerian singer and songwriter Simi, also known as Simisola Kosoko, responded to critics of her voice and music style, asserting that her voice is unique and stands out. In a recent post, she addressed comments about her voice and music style, emphasizing that her voice is distinct and special. She described it as beautiful, sweet, soft, and even piercing at times. Unlike many voices that blend into the background of a beat, she stated that hers maintains its clarity and presence. ... CLICK LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE #makesensepromotions #beyondbuzzbuildingbrands

Simi Defends Her Voice Against Critics ____ Nigerian singer and songwriter Simi, also known as Simisola Kosoko, responded to critics of her voice and music style, asserting that her voice is unique and stands out. In a recent post, she addressed comments about her voice and music style, emphasizing that her voice is distinct and special. She described it as beautiful, sweet, soft, and even piercing at times. Unlike many voices that blend into the background of a beat, she stated that hers maintains its clarity and presence. ... CLICK LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE #makesensepromotions #beyondbuzzbuildingbrands

No family is perfect, but every family is worth saving, strengthening and protecting, observes Lloyd Newell in this week's "Music & the Spoken Word" with @TheTabChoir. Watch it here.

Have you ever wondered what some of your favorite country artists have to say about their faith? You don't have to wonder anymore! We are so excited to bring you "Country Faith," a vibrant compilation of 70 inspired stories from top country music stars, including Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, and more, sharing their favorite Scriptures and faith experiences. Read more in this article from Woman's World: https://lnkd.in/gT6b2iKN

Do not do this!! ❌ When you make a joke about having not prepared, you are telling your audience that you don’t care enough to bring your full effort to this meeting/pitch/presentation/talk. This applies to so many areas of life. I studied music and played in many bands in my early 20s. It was so common to see musicians joke to their audience about being unprepared out of self-deprecation and what they thought was endearing nervousness. But this is a major cringe moment! People have set aside time to hear you, even for the most mundane meeting, so don’t insult them by mocking your own lack of input. Always prepare, but if you haven’t, don’t announce it to the room! #communicationskills #publicspeakingcoach #howtobeconfident