Singing - sad - no advance in 90 years it seems....?

Going through some old papers for a clear out, I found an article I copied, by hand - ( about fifty years ago, before photo copiers were in general use, wooow ...)from a book entitled "Practical Singing", by Clifford Cooke, published in 1918. The opening phrase reads " Singing is an art which can only be acquired with the aid of an experienced teacher who can SING, as well as teach - a combination of accomplishments by no means common. 1. Long and arduous study in voice training and elocution is necessary to become a singer - a fact which, obvious enough, and readily accepted in most other walks of life, is notoriously disregarded by would - be singers. 2. CORRECT RESPIRATION is of VITAL importance - an importance which too many people, students and teachers alike, fail to recognise or accept". ( Many guffaw with laughter when I explain that I am a "Breathing Tutor"...."Andnings Pedagogue" in Scandinavia...tut..tut...Luckily those who have the wit to perservere with it and develop breath control, have the advantage over those who don't ! The listener can hear AND see the difference - no "squirming" to try and connect voice with air....) How many times have you had a sore, uncomfortable throat after a performance when "unconnected" singers have struggled to get through the piece...? Ooouuuch...., it brings a lump to my throat just thinking about it.... The article goes on :- 3. "The third, and not least important principle, is that due attention should be given to pronunciation, articulation and enunciation, in which singers, generally, have always been singularly deficient. J.W. Davidson, of The Times, stated boldly, years ago (and this was written in 1918, remember..?) that when people attempted to sing they found out that they had not yet learnt how to speak! Conditions, in this respect, have not altered very much." The remark I make most often to my breathers, using my kindest voice, is "Please 'talk' to me with natural mouth movement, and stop shouting at me - it's not that pleasant to watch or listen to",... Over articulation is encouraged lustily by many choir leaders - this usually prompts me to close my eyes - one International singer who "gets away with murder" in her gigantic facial movements is Jessie Norman - and I'm sure she wouldn't disagree with this, it's obvious for all to see - and it doesn't stop her being a brilliant performer. Oh Jessie, dear Jessie - if one of my breathers opens their mouth to such an exaggerated degree, I grin and tease them by threatening to park my car in it ...naughty me...?! This remark always leads to peals of laughter - yes, we do have FUN, and there is no animosity - I only do this when I know a person well enough for them to understand that I'm not mocking them.... the laughter releases many unnecessary tensions - otherwise it would be too cruel and disheartening. Singers have enough hills to climb without being ridiculed when they're endeavouring to progress and develop their phonation technique. Some will say, during a session "I feel so stupid!" when an exercise eludes them. "That's natural - but remember, far better to work on it here and perfect it, than to go on stage and feel stupid !". I'll relate more of Clifton Cookes' notes on singing another day, it goes on for pages. Does anyone have any comments on HIS comments....? Here are a few more "howlers" ...Solomon had 300 wives and 700 cucumbers.../ To germinate is to become a naturalised German.../ The end of the world will make a turning point in everyone's life.... This next one's a tad naughty, so close your eyes and let someone less sensitive read it for you...The Jews were a proud people, but always had trouble with unsympathetic Genitals (Gentiles)...! (Could that be an oblique subliminal reference to circimcision - whooooops ..?!) With that I'll leave you as graciously as possible, chuckling the while, and with apologies to my Hebrew colleagues...k..p b.......g...happy days....