I started working with ordinands at Salisbury Theological College in the late 1960’s, when the Principal thought many of his students were “boring to listen to” and so contacted the local theatre and asked my then husband and me to come in once a week and do some work on diction, projection and interpretation of text.
This arrangement gradually developed into regular voice and presentation classes and by the 1980’s, when the College was enlarged, I was a part-time member of the academic staff both of Salisbury & Wells Theological College and the Southern Diocescan Ministerial Training Scheme. I was involved not only in voice work, but in sermon classes and in practical training in some local churches.
Although the College closed in 1994 I have continued to be involved in ministerial training for the Southern Theological Education and Training scheme, which is an ecumenical course attracting students from most of the Southern dioceses and Methodist Districts. I am based at Sarum College, in the Cathedral Close, and rejoice in the title of Visiting Fellow, Voice and Word!
I regularly give voice and reading workshops in churches in the area, and am a Tutor for the College of Preachers, as well as acting as a consultant for individual lay and ordained voice users. The perennial problems are coping with inefficient p.a. systems, tiredness and strain, and lack of facility to adapt the voice to different spaces and to different context and material.
All of the above, but chiefly keeping the voice fresh and interesting!
Sonia Wooley
Voice Coach