“Special Voices” Sings Out

Contact: Carl Seeger Henry

(860) 667-1116 

E-mail: SpecialVoices@cox.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Newington, CT – November 14, 2010---Connecticut residents join forces to create “Special Voices”, a non-competitive, musical, and social program for adolescents with intellectual and physical disabilities.  Special Voices is a non-profit organization that uses a unique karaoke style invention to allow groups of teenagers to become “star” back up vocalists.  They seek to develop Special Voices as a national park and recreation program and pediatric hospital recreation program for teens so that they can experience the joy that creating and sharing music brings. 

Founder Carl Seeger Henry produced their first concert DVD with the help of a skilled volunteer crew of audio/visual freelance production professionals from the video communications department of Aetna Inc. in Hartford.  You can view a demo of their video and learn more about the project by visiting www.specialvoices.org .   Currently, Special Voices is seeking to expand their advisory board to include entertainment industry business experts, fund raising professionals as well as advisors in the not-for-profit tax field, and patent and entertainment law sectors.    We also urge potential patrons and benefactors to consider Special Voices as a unique, ground floor opportunity to launch a new and exciting program for children with special needs. 

Teens with Special Needs Find Stardom

with Classic Pop and Rock’n’Roll Hits

Contact: Carl Seeger Henry

(860) 667-1116 

E-mail: SpecialVoices@cox.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Newington, CT – November 14, 2010  --- Classic Rock’n’Roll and pop hits will make hometown stars out of teens with intellectual and physical disabilities when they take on their exciting role as backup singers in a musical group called Special Voices®.  Singing all-time favorites, such as, Do Wha Diddy Diddy, Loco Motion, Willie and the Hand Jive, Shout, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, in a local concert setting is guaranteed to make these entertainers feel proud and successful, while bringing ecstatic audiences to their feet in applause.

According to Special Voices founder, Carl Seeger Henry, these songs are well suited for the abilities of these adolescents because they have a lead line and then short repetitive, responsive back up vocals.  “This style of music, combined with a wide range of vocal talent, from quite melodic to a chant-like quality, produces a powerful performance filled with excitement and fun for the performers and their audience,” Mr. Henry states.

Karaoke Key to Special Voices Concerts

The Special Voices debut performance video will help to kick off the program by serving as a creative learning tool and inspiration for others with special needs and encourage them to participate in a concert in their communities.   The video, in addition to showcasing the debut performance, also incorporates a unique Karaoke-style invention. “Using the same songs featured in the debut performance”, explains Mr. Henry, “this component only shows our emcee and lead vocalists in a Karaoke edit, allowing for the backup vocals to be performed by a new group of singers in a live concert setting.”  The Karaoke component is key to making Special Voices successful because it empowers these artists to take center stage and have the confidence to rock like a star!  This sense of accomplishment will be on-going as these performers, their families, and friends enjoy a professionally produced memento DVD of their own Special Voices concert.

Volunteer Experts Essential to Establishing Special Voices

As a developing non-profit organization, Special Voices relies on the expertise and volunteerism of committed professionals, including music and special educators, on-camera talent, technical and production specialists, civic park and recreation program consultants, and general business advisors.   In addition to this group of volunteers and crucial to the overall success of Special Voices, according to Mr. Henry, is the participation of the entertainment industry.  “As we proceed in developing a comprehensive business plan,” Mr. Henry states, “we are seeking advice from entertainment industry business experts as well as advisors in the not-for-profit tax and law sectors.  We welcome the opportunity to speak with these professionals and utilize their individual areas of expertise to develop a business model for Special Voices that will ensure our long-term viability.  Additionally, we look forward to establishing an on-going dialogue with music publishers to expedite synchronization rights for songs we perform.”

Special Voices Provides Exceptional Educational and Social Experiences

Special Voices is a newly emerging and unique organization helping teenagers with special needs to develop performance skills, build self-confidence, and participate in an interactive joyful sharing of their musical talents in their communities.  Under development as a national park and recreation and pediatric hospital program, it is designed to give kids with special needs, who love music, an extraordinary opportunity to perform noncompetitively on stage before an enthusiastic, live audience.  It is structured to offer a comprehensive, multi-level learning and social experience, a challenge that provides our performers with success and unparalleled fun.   

Learn more about Special Voices and how the entertainment industry can help and tune in to a Special Voices debut performance by visiting www.SpecialVoices.org and going to “Entertainment Industry” and to “Watch Our Demo.”

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