Philip Caldwell
Philip Caldwell, Voice Faculty
In addition to teaching at Sherwood, Philip Caldwell is an adjunct faculty member in the theater department at Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Philip has worked as a musician and/or music director at American Theater Company, Annoyance Theatre, the Bristol Renaissance Faire, Davenport’s Cabaret, Emerald City Theatre Company, the Goodman Theatre, Live Bait Theater, Red Tape Theatre Company, and for the national touring company of The Second City.
Preferred Student Age: Over 16
Preferred Student Level: All Levels
How long have you been on Faculty at Sherwood Conservatory of Music?
Since 2004.
What do you want to impart to your students through your teaching?
The ability to combine both extreme discipline and freedom (i.e. right and left brained) to achieve realized maximum performance.
Are there specific methods or techniques that you use in your teaching that may be important to share with prospective students?
Not particularly. Every student is so different. I try to diagnose each student's needs and draw from a variety of techniques. I do use acting techniques as a way to strengthen a singer's performance. We deal with text as much as music and I believe that a singer's vocal technique improves when he or she has analyzed the text and intentions of a song. I incorporate this idea with basic vocal techniques to get the end result.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Every time I see a breakthrough of any sort. When the light bulb goes on for the student.
Briefly describe your musical pursuits outside Sherwood.
Freelance work as an accompanist, pianist, music director, vocal coach.
What is your earliest musical experience or best musical memory?
Being voted 'most musical' by my grade school when I was ten years old.
Please describe one of your favorite teachers or mentors.
Justin Page, who taught me that music study is also a philosophy. Daniel Barenboim, who said "I practice like a scientist so I can play like a poet.
What is your favorite type of music?
I'm a musician who was trained classically, works in theater and loves rock music. How could I have a favorite?!
In addition to teaching at Sherwood, Philip Caldwell is an adjunct faculty member in the theater department at Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Philip has worked as a musician and/or music director at American Theater Company, Annoyance Theatre, the Bristol Renaissance Faire, Davenport’s Cabaret, Emerald City Theatre Company, the Goodman Theatre, Live Bait Theater, Red Tape Theatre Company, and for the national touring company of The Second City.Preferred Student Age: Over 16
Preferred Student Level: All Levels
How long have you been on Faculty at Sherwood Conservatory of Music?
Since 2004.
What do you want to impart to your students through your teaching?
The ability to combine both extreme discipline and freedom (i.e. right and left brained) to achieve realized maximum performance.
Are there specific methods or techniques that you use in your teaching that may be important to share with prospective students?
Not particularly. Every student is so different. I try to diagnose each student's needs and draw from a variety of techniques. I do use acting techniques as a way to strengthen a singer's performance. We deal with text as much as music and I believe that a singer's vocal technique improves when he or she has analyzed the text and intentions of a song. I incorporate this idea with basic vocal techniques to get the end result.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Every time I see a breakthrough of any sort. When the light bulb goes on for the student.
Briefly describe your musical pursuits outside Sherwood.
Freelance work as an accompanist, pianist, music director, vocal coach.
What is your earliest musical experience or best musical memory?
Being voted 'most musical' by my grade school when I was ten years old.
Please describe one of your favorite teachers or mentors.
Justin Page, who taught me that music study is also a philosophy. Daniel Barenboim, who said "I practice like a scientist so I can play like a poet.
What is your favorite type of music?
I'm a musician who was trained classically, works in theater and loves rock music. How could I have a favorite?!