Tips for Singing Milton Keynes

How to look after our singing voices during the winter

'Tis the Season to be jolly! So no sore throats wanted here! Spread joy though song this year with Sing Star MKs top tips to beating the chill and keeping those festive voices singing "Simply having a wonderful Christmas Time"!     Sleep - This is the best healer for a tired voice. Rest the voice and try not to speak too much. Some people try whispering but we at Sing Stars dont recommend that as in truth this pushes the chords together in a harder way than your usual speech. Just try resting your voice and trying not to speak.  Atmosphere - Try to stay in a well ventilated room away from draughts and sudden temperature changes. A dry atmosphere is not good for the throat. Keep away from smoky rooms and absolutely NO SMOKING! Warmth - Make sure you keep yourselves warm. If going into the cold wear a scarf around your neck. I know only too well how performing on stage warm and sweating and then going into a cold tour bus or room so I always make sure I have scarves with me at this time of year. Fluids - Keep up your fluid intake this time of year, it re-hydrates your whole body! Try to stay away from ice cold drinks and fizzy drinks. Room temperature water is best. Your vocal chords all nicely warmed up and then being blasted by ice water is the same as going for a jog and then jumping into a cold lake. Your expanded muscles will not be happy with this and you will get problems. Steaming - We recommend a 10 minute steam twice a day when you are using your voice alot. Christmas is an exceptionally busy time for performers and therefore a steamer is a great option to sooth a tired voice. Steam inhalation helps move phlegm that sticks to your vocal cords. So great for winter chills. Diet - Try to eat foods that have a high water content, Fresh fruit and vegetables must be on your shopping lists in the winter when sore voices are around. Try to avoid dairy foods - sorry no chocolate or cheese! They induce the phlegm we are trying to remove. Throat Lozenges - These should only be used when your voice is out of use. When you are not singing! Throat Lozenges soothe and anaesthetise. If you sing while the anaesthetic is still in effect you will push your voice and make it worse. It merely masks the pain but in the long run makes the pain worse. Steer away from using these. If you do need them we recommend Vocalzones. Remedy Drink - A good drink to have if your voice is sore is a mixture of 1 tsp of honey, 1 tsp of lemon and a couple of slices of frsh ginger mixed together in hot water. Ginger is good for sore throats as it is an anti-inflammatory. Lemon cuts through phlegm and honey is soothing so each of these ingredients stand alone or together in hotwater is a great remedy drink. Warm up - When you feel like your voice has sufficiently rested try some gentle warm up before you start singing again. Do not push your voice or go to the outer perimeters of your range straight away. Be patient with your voice after a cold or sore throat, it will take time to regain your usual vocal stamina. What ever you do to remedy your sore throats and voices through the winter months always remember that a GOOD TECHNIQUE is the best preventative medicine you can apply. If you would like to learn more about vocal techniques and to develop your voice please contact Sing Stars MK. We provide singing lessons for children in Milton Keynes aged from 5-16. We also run a Childrens Singing Club where children can learn to sing with good techniques while meeting friends, boosting their confidence and exploring their love of singing and performing! Please email us if you would like to subscribe to our Newsletter, with more tips on singing , news about Sing Stars and lots more..  www.kaleyentertainments.wix.com/singstars

Singing for schools Milton Keynes

SINGING CLUB FOR SCHOOLS

Sing Stars Sessions promise to benefit children in your school by:

* Encouraging the childrens passion for singing through a fun class they will love

* Offering the children the chance to acquire the language of music through structured learning.

* Developing the childrens intellect and character.

* Developing the childrens language skills.

​*Building the childrens self confidence and self esteem.

*Helping children acquire self-discipline.

*Boosting the childrens social skills and communication capabilities.

​* Showing the importance of individuality and a deep awareness and respect of others.

*Providing impact on numeracy and literacy skills.

*Through contact with well-trained teachers, having access to high quality music education.

*Offering the children the chance to learn about different music genres pop, classical, rock, jazz, blues etc.

*Offering an extra aspect to the schools teaching.

*Providing postural and breathing skills that can be applied to their physical development.

*Providing a platform for children to express themselves and work through their personal emotions.

*Using music to improve motor skills.

​*Improving motivation for movement.

*Improving rhythm, coordination, vocal skills and participation.

*Showing how perseverience, willingness to try and being part of a team can lead to personal success and great rewards.

*Providing children with the chance  to make friends and be a part of a club, a team of other children with the same interests.

*Giving all children at the school their chance to shine!

* Improving Listening Skills

*Expanding Imagination and Creativity

*Improving Tempo, Rhythem and Pitch

*Improving movement to music, balance and posture

​*Developing Life Skills and tacking issues from everyday life

Singing is not only great for building children's confidence, it is also a valuable teaching tool. Why?

Music can be used to reinforce challenging concepts, numeracy, motor skills and language development,and over all its just great fun and a chance for children to express themselves , be creative and loose themselves in a fun activity.

Sing Stars give all children the chance to shine, to learn vocal skills, have fun doing what they love and develop the learning powers.

Sing Stars are available for sessions to run during class time, as afterschool clubs, as breakfast clubs or as holiday clubs at your schools.

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Prices depend on requirements, however we charge a fixed fee of £50/ week for the first term. We are happy to provide a one off session as a trial but then we book per term. Sing Stars is a structured course where benefits for the children are achieved over the course of a term, through routine, repetition and ongoing key subjects ie confidence boosting, group singing, vocal warm ups. Every class is aimed at the particular age group of the class, with lots of structure remaining the same for learning results but at the same time changing the activities and songs each week to keep interesting and fun. Sessions include fun warm up exercises, fun vocal activities, fun tongue twisters and lots of songs to sing in pairs and in groups. Songs are suggested by the class so that the songs are those that they love, while Sing Stars teachers choose from the list to make sure the songs are relevant to the class structure and to the age group and interest of everyone in the class.



Sing Stars is a Glee style class, so pop songs and child friendly songs for both boys and girls are chossen. We do not choose musical songs or classical songs unless the class majority choose them themselves.

All of the Sing Stars team have CRB certificates and have all been through a reference check prior to working for the company. CRB forms are available upon request at every Sing Stars session. All the Sing Stars team have experience of working in schools and childrens centres and have experience and a passion for working with children. All Sing Stars session teachers have qualifications in either teaching or in the vocal coaching profession. We only have a small team and your sessions will be taught by the same teacher so to build a strong working relationship and no disruption to the children. It is important to us that the children also form a fond relationship with their teacher so they feel at ease with the lessons and have lots of fun and fulfil their learning potential. From time to time due to illness and holidays we may offer an equally professional member of staff but we try not to do this where possible. We try to avoid this by taking our own holidays within the public school holidays.

Please email singstarsmk@gmail.com or please call 07540801395 if you would like Sing Stars Sessions at your childs school or if you are a school or youth club who would like to book a session. Or please see the website for more information.www.kaleyentertainments.wix.com/singstars

We are also on Facebook and Twitter – Singstarsmk

Tips for shy children - can a activity group help?

Having a shy and reserved child can often be a worry for parents. In this situation you fear your child may not develop to their full potential nor interact well with others which will impact the rest of their lives. That’s why it is important that information, help and advice is available in order to help build your children’s self esteem and confidence straight away. These top tips provided by Dr Victoria Samual from Super nanny expert are great tips to have, so we at The Sing Stars MK Project have provided her list for you,

“1. It’s vital you avoid labelling your child as shy or nervous, either directly to your child or when talking about her to others. Labels stick and rapidly lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You may have banished all labels, but what happens if you keep coming up against “isn’t she shy” declarations from teachers, friends or family - said with conviction in front of your little one?Ensure your child is left with a positive view of themselves by calmly and confidently bouncing by the generalisation with a subtle reframing: “Katie likes to think things through before rushing in” or “Danny likes to listen to others before sharing his views”.

2. If your child is upset or fearful, accept feelings with warmth and concern: “it sounds as if you’re feeling nervous, that’s understandable”.

Tempting though it may be, avoid dismissing or ‘taking away’ feelings eg “don’t be silly, big boys don’t get shy”. These kinds of comments lead children to feel that their inner states are not valid. This can be confusing and lead to anxiety. Children whose feelings are accepted and supported by their parents tend to be much more ‘emotionally literate’, confident and secure.

3. Normalise doubts by talking about a generic other: “everyone feels unsure from time to time” or by referring to situations you find daunting and how you attempt to overcome them: “sometimes I feel worried about speaking up at work, but I always make and effort and feel good afterwards”. Use story books to introduce themes of facing fears or overcoming challenges.

4. Children learn social skills from watching others so model the kind of interactions you want to encourage: be warm and friendly with people you don’t know, introduce yourself to new people, ask people for help, give compliments to friends and thank others for their time.

5. Think about the specific situations that make your little one run for cover and identify skills that may help equip them for better managing these daunting scenarios. Use role play to help them rehearse these skills. For example if your child shrinks into the corner at birthday parties set up a party scene and use favourite toys or teddies to act out different interactions: giving the party girl their present; saying hello to other children; asking the adult where the toilet is; saying thank you on leaving.

6. Once you’ve practiced through play, gently encourage new activities by providing manageable opportunities for success. Take a gradual, step-by-step approach. For example, if you’re child is nervous about starting Brownies, take her along to watch the group for the first week, then suggest she joins in at the end for ten minutes the next week whilst you stay in the room. Then build up to leaving the room for brief periods. Before long, she will be bouncing into the group and happily taking part in the full session.

7. It’s crucial you hide any doubts or anxieties you may have about your little’s one’s ability to cope. Combine empathy for her feelings (see point 2) with confident assertions that you have faith in her: “Ahh, I can see you’re feeling a bit worried, but I’m really confident you’ll be able to handle it”.

8. It’s tempting when faced with a wary, cautious little person to step in to do things for them, however this can be counterproductive. When your child is approaching new situations or learning new things, try to step back from interfering too much as this may make him hesitant and reliant on others. Let your child learn through exploration and trial & error; this will help him to develop a sense of personal mastery and confidence.

9. Help boost your little one’s self-esteem by using descriptive praise to clearly identify specific behaviours that you value: “you said hello even though you felt nervous, that was really brave”. This will help your child to develop an inner sense of achievement and pride.

10. Show physical affection and regularly and repeatedly tell your child how much she is loved. Warm, playful and affectionate interactions with your child will fill them with a sense of being valued and accepted; crucial for developing the inner self-confidence required for approaching and interacting with others.

11. If your child is chronically sad and withdrawn, is unable to face any social situations, has suddenly changed from being outgoing to quiet and anxious, or if they show absolutely no interest in interacting with others, it would be worth considering getting professional support. Make an appointment with your GP to discuss options.” Dr Victoria Samuel Supernanny Expert  www.sunpernanny.co.uk

Shyness is a perfectly normal trait in childhood, it needn't be a major concern. It may hold a child back socially, and sometimes impacts on their progress and development so any encouragement and confidence builders would ofcourse be beneficial. Children often need a little help in overcoming their shyness so by following Dr Samuals tips you will certainly be heading in the right direction with your child. Ofcourse shyness may be something your child will naturally grow out of. 

But to help your little ones along, perhaps a childrens activity group might help. I would recommend perhaps a group drama club, or singing school. For parents near Buckinghamshire why not try Sing Stars MK.

Sing Stars is Milton Keynes very own Singing Group for children aged from 5-16 years old. Sing Stars MK is a fun and friendly group activity for your little budding singers. They will help develop your childrens vocal skills and talents, but above all they will help them to make lots of new friends, boost their own self confidence and show them just how fun creative arts can be.

Sing Stars nurture and develop each childs love of singing and to encourage their energy and enthusiasm for performance. Unlike National Theatre and Drama Schools their classes are affordable and are at convenient times to suit busy Mums and Dads. Their classes hold a maximum of 15 children to allow them to focus on the needs of every child attending the group.

Children of all ages and abilities are welcome! No audition is required! They give every child a chance to shine!

Classes are run midweek, through term times with a show at the end of each term for mums and dads. Summer Holiday Sing Star Club is also available. Places are limited but to avoid waiting lists new classes are added to meet the demand. Please request your childs space on the next starting Club.

Classes are set to Sing Star Sparklers 5-7 Sing Star Juniors 8-12 and Sing Stars Teens 13-16

There is lots of fun singing techniques and songs are suited to the age group. Glee, High School Musical, Rock School , Just Bieber , Hannah Montanna are the popular hits for Sing Star Sparklers and Juniors, with Katy Perry, Jessie Jay, One Direction , Glee being the teen choices. We also sing songs from the musicals and show and other artists they like!!

Prices are £4 per class or there is the option to pay termly, there are also offers on Siblings in the club, referals and more...

Please contact us for information on the next available courses for the Sing Stars Singing Club.  If you would like to find out more or book your place on a class , to find out more, or be given website and social networking links please contact via this form

Sing Stars Mk also offer Private Singing Lessons and Childrens Party Entertainment... please call or email for details 07540801395