Introducing MTEA Voice and the Development of a Musical Theatre Singing Voice Glossary: Registration

Abstract

Descriptive language is used in voice teaching and during the rehearsal process to provide feedback and adjustments to performers. Problematically, there is little agreement about what terms describe what sounds. Additionally, a performer may describe a sound differently to their voice teacher, director, or music director. This article has two parts. The first section introduces MTEA Voice with a short history of the development of this community. The second section provides a concise, introductory glossary to terminology regularly used in musical theatre singing, including registration, belt, speech quality, and legit. In addition to these short definitions, some explanatory remarks are provided and recommended recordings for clarification of sounds for both singers and those who work with singers.