A peculiar gap exists between the accepted theoretical basis of instruction in singing and the actual methods of vocal teachers. Judging by the number of scientific treatises on the voice, the academic observer would be led to believe that a coherent Science of Voice Culture has been evolved. Modern methods of instruction in singing are presumed to embody a system of exact and infallible rules for the management of the voice. Teachers of singing in all the musical centers of Europe and America claim to follow a definite plan in the training of voices, based on established scientific principles. But a practical acquaintance with the modern art of Voice Culture reveals the fact that the laws of tone-production deduced from the scientific investigation of the voice do not furnish a satisfactory basis for a method of training voices.

In 1806, Harvey Christian Combe, brewer and Lord Mayor of London, decided to establish himself as a country gentleman and purchased the Cobham Park estate. This book commemorates the bicentenary of Harvey Combe's arrival in Cobham and tells the story of his descendants and their contributions to the estate.

Product Description: This Surrey village dates from Roman Times, which by Domesday Book (1086) was still a small settlement on the River Mole. The river was not navigable, but road, canal and railway encouraged the development of the three communities of Street Cobham, Church Cobham and Tilt Cobham...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: The morning sun creeps over the eastern mountainsbreaking through the clouds. Sleep fills the early morning hours. Suddenly,you're awakened with the shuddering of the earth. You open your eyes trying tograsp the significance of the jolt that caused you to leap out of bed, heartpounding...read more