Amateur Music Theatre Singers' Perceptions of their Current Singing Voice Function

The primary aim of this study was to investigate amateur music theatre singers (MTS)' perceptions of their current singing voice function according to evaluation of ability to sing easily (EASE) scores while involved in a musical theatre production, to determine if scores were influenced by demographic or voice-related factors and to compare EASE scores of amateur MTS and previously published professional MTS.

Amateur singers were recruited through the Townsville Choral Society during the preproduction of Les Misérables. A total of 51 amateur MTS completed an online questionnaire including the EASE scale and a supplementary demographic questionnaire. Nonparametric statistical analyses were conducted.

Three singers reported they had a voice problem at the time they completed the questionnaire. The EASE did not detect significant differences in perceived vocal function among the singers according to demographic (age and gender) and voice-related characteristics. The amateur cohort reported lower current voice-use demands, such as current vocal load and number of shows over past week, than the previously described professional MTS and no significant differences were found between the two cohorts in the median EASE scores.

The results of this study supported both the overall validity of the EASE scale and its use with amateur MTS. In addition, the findings suggest the value of future research investigating the potential use of the EASE for broader clinical application with other population groups.