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Why Unscented?
You know the problem. You can't quite place it but, in the middle of rehearsal, your throat starts to tickle, then, seize up. Your section leader is giving you "the look"! You have hydrated before the warm-up, you don't have a cold and of course you are not wearing any cologne or smelly hair products. BUT your throat is affected. It can only be...
ADM (Axe Deodorant Moment!). One of your lovely tenors has been thoughtful enough to wear deodorant but it stinks! he meant well, but didn't think the 'Desert Cactus' scent of his new shower gel/deodorant/hairgel would be anything but enticing! He needs help.
We need to remind all choristers not to wear scented products. For some people who are especially chemically sensitive, they simply cannot produce a sound and may become very ill. Take heart though! It is possible to have good hygiene, be fresh for concerts and rehearsals and not choke everyone around us. Look for "fragrance-free" or "unscented" products rather than relying on the words "natural" or even "organic" on product labels. Watch out for "aromatherapeutic" products: they can irritate the vocal cords despite their claims to only using "natural" scents- to your throat, scent is scent.
To make it even more of a challenge, not all unscented products are truly "scent-free"- they use irritating chemicals to mask the sometimes unpleasant odour of the truly fragrance -free ingredients. So, what to do? I have a line of products, mostly from Europe but also locally made in Santa Rosa, California that are unscented and pure with no added fragrance. The SVR deodorant is extremely effective, even under the lights of a 3-hour perfomance. The Logona "FREE" body and hair wash from Germany is gentle enough for people with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities). For touring choirs, or, just to have a kit ready for production week at the local concert hall, I am developing a line of ChoirGear Kits from Gaia Earthworks with travel size unscented, gentle personal care products for men and women.
In Health and Harmony,
Jo
Thanks for stopping by
Thank you for stopping by!
Now I can tell you about new products, news from Chorus America and other choral communities and find out what you would like ChoirGear to feature.
I hope you will contact me at jo@choirgear.com or visit again soon!
Thank you,
Jo
Josephine McCormick
Sebastopol, California
Scents, Silks and Songbirds
In the world of choral singing, the emphasis is on the notes, the Latin or German, the time signature, phrasing, breathing in just the right spot! So why would I write about Silk scarves, songbirds, and shampoos? Because it all helps us perform better if we feel better. I truly believe that there are natural products that will not irritate fellow singer's throats (lads, we all know you can be the culprit!), comfortable natural fiber black concert clothing and, elegant jewellery, free of distracting bling!
My mission is to help you perform in comfort and ease, knowing you look and feel as good as you sound.
ChoirGear is a resource for singers.
www.choirgear.com "...for the polished performer"