Within the throat’s protective enclosure, two supple bands of tissue flutter over an opening the size of a penny like a pair of doll’s-house curtains. But that description doesn’t get across the repeated violence to which humans subject their vocal cords, even humans who don’t sing for a living. The Singer must first and foremost learn the vocal parts to the music and be able to perform them at a high level. They must master many techniques beyond just singing the parts, for example proper microphone techniques, movement, and how to follow a Conductor. They also need to take good care of their voice, since their instrument is uniquely a part of their body.
