GEOFFREY CASTLES
musical director, accompanist, teacher, arranger

Geoffrey currently runs a busy studio in the inner west of Sydney. This studio was set up to answer the need for high quality coaching and audition preparation for today’s Musical Theatre industry.

Geoffrey currently works with some of Australia’s top performers, industry professionals and graduates from WAAPA, NIDA and AIM. He has also been sitting on audition panels for many years and has coached successful auditionees for professional musicals, institutions including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and WAAPA and place-getters in eisteddfods.

This insight has given Geoffrey an inside look into what is demanded from performers today and with his encyclopaedic knowledge of musical theatre and his understanding of vocal technique Geoffrey is able to offer several services that will help train performers as world class musicians.

Read on to learn about the services that Geoffrey offers.


Vocal Coaching, Repertoire Expansion, Audition Preparation
Ever heard of the musical The Other Franklin? What about the songs of Jeff Blumenkrantz? Or are you looking for the music for My Life With Albertine? Do you have an audition next week and don’t know what to sing? Geoffrey offers vocal coaching, repertoire expansion and audition preparation.


Are you looking for regular vocal coaching sessions? Come to think of it, what is vocal coaching? In a singing lesson the focus is on technique. In a coaching session the focus is on performance. Technique and vocal health are frequently addressed, but only on a level where you will be reminded not to constrict your larynx and to keep your support through to the end of the phrase. It is expected that you know how to do this; Geoffrey is only there to guide and remind you.

The main focus of a coaching is a discussion of choices. Where to breathe; how to shape a particular phrase; where not to breathe; where an appropriate place to transition from chest to head voice is; where to belt; what is the dramatic arc of the piece. Instead of technique being taught, performance and presentation is taught. All of these topics and more are discussed and a safe environment is created for the performer to experiment, make mistakes and ultimately develop a performance.


Are you bored with your current repertoire? You have come to the right place! Geoffrey has a wide knowledge of musical theatre and cabaret songs and an enormous collection of music. If he doesn’t have it he will know where to find it. Build up your repertoire with new and exciting songs and keep up to date with the ever-changing world of musical theatre.


Do you have an audition next week? With his extensive knowledge of musical theatre, Geoffrey can put together an audition program for you that will demonstrate all your strengths. Songs can be edited to fit the required time or bar length and will be transposed into the correct key for you. You can also have a recording of both the melody line and accompaniment put down for rehearsal at home.


If you are interested in sessions with Geoffrey do not hesitate to contact him to discuss fees and arrange a time for a consultation.


Fees
A fee structure for both weekly and casual lessons is in place.


Arrangements and Transpositions
Found the perfect song but it’s far too low? Or do you want Judy Kuhn’s arrangement of You’ll Never Get Away From Me? Geoffrey can transpose any song into any key. Depending on the request a transposition can be ready within 24 hours. For more information on arrangements visit The Arranger.

If you are interested in employing Geoffrey to transpose music or create arrangements do not hesitate to contact him to discuss fees.


Piano and Musicianship lessons for singers
There has been a strong divide between those who are musicians and those who are singers. Why is this so? Geoffrey believes that there should be no difference between a pianist, a violinist, a percussionist or a vocalist.

With this in mind, Geoffrey has developed a program to teach piano and musicianship to singers with a view to train them as musicians.

You will learn to read music fluently, play simple piano accompaniments, read chord charts and teach yourself a melody on the piano. You will also learn to sight sing, which will enable quick learning, especially in audition call back situations.

If you are interested in this invaluable service do not hesitate to contact Geoffrey to discuss fees and arrange a time for a consultation.



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