"A man who has risen to his present eminence through determined effort
and hard work, who has done it all in America, is a unique figure in the
world of art. He can surely give much valuable information to students,
for he has been through so much himself." Thus I was informed by one who
was in a position to understand how Morgan Kingston had achieved
success. The well known tenor was most kind in granting an audience to
one seeking light on his ideas and experiences. He welcomed the visitor
with simple, sincere courtesy, and discussed for an hour and a half
various aspects of the singer's art.
"In what way may I be of service to you?" began Mr. Kingston, after the
first greetings had been exchanged.
"There are many questions to ask," was the answer; "perhaps it were best
to propound the most difficult one first, instead of reserving it till
the last. What, in your opinion, goes into the acquiring of Vocal
Mastery?"
"That is certainly a difficult subject to take up, for vocal mastery
includes so many things. First and foremost it includes vocal technic.
One must have an excellent technic before one can hope to sing even
moderately well. The singer can do nothing without technic, though of
course there are many people who try to sing without it. They, however,
never get anywhere when hampered by such a lack of equipment. Technic
furnishes the tools with which the singer creates his vocal art work;
just as the painter's brushes enable him to paint his picture.