Christopher Littlewood

Arrived early for the rehearsal in Beverly Minster. Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle this evening - let’s go!

Elijah - Mendelssohn with Stafford Choir last weekend. Lovely team of soloists with some very emotive and dramatic singing. I love the final tenor aria in this piece, ‘Then shall the righteous’. Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle tomorrow… another great piece! #stillsinging

Endoscopy training today! Thanks team 🤩 #upskilling #dreamjob #voicegeek

Discussion: When recommending onward singing support for patients, I’m not always confident whether a singing teacher or a vocal coach is more appropriate. I’m interested to hear how others define these roles, and whether distinctions vary across genres (classical, musical theatre, pop, etc.). When I search online, I find a lot of overlap - are these terms becoming synonymous, or is there still a meaningful distinction?

Today is World Parkinson’s Day and I just wanted to acknowledge the impact of Parkinson’s and the value of ongoing support and awareness. In my previous Speech and Language Therapy role at Warrington Hospital, I ran a singing group with @lizchapman89 and @bethanymillington (and more!) for people with Parkinson’s. It combined evidence-based voice therapy with music. It is a practical and meaningful approach to supporting voice and communication. It was also the highlight of my week! To mark the day, I wanted to share a set of short songs I recorded on my YouTube channel. These are simple rounds and songs we used in the group — useful for anyone running similar sessions, and potentially for choir leaders in other settings. 🎵Search “Parkinson’s Singing Group – Songs and Rounds” on YouTube to find them. #WorldParkinsonsDay #ParkinsonsAwareness #SLT #SingingForHealth #VoiceTherapy #CommunityMusic #ParkinsonsSupport

“Depoo-o-o-o-o-o-o-oo-suit” 🎵 Snippet from the rehearsal of Bach Magnificat today at Chester Cathedral. @rncmlive #singer #tenor #singingdad #singingslt

Having seen about 30 larynxes (endoscopically) in the past few weeks, a recurring theme is: “You look dry and you have lots of sticky secretions.” This information, coupled with a thorough case history, often illuminates a lack of suitable hydration for that individual. Really, we should all be drinking at least 2L of clear fluids a day (more for performers). Everyone says ‘I should drink more water’ - so why don’t we? I’ve made a concerted effort to drink 3L of fluids recently and it feels like I’m drinking NON-STOP and I haven’t managed it every day. Something to be mindful of when we recommend to our patients and clients. Reminder of why consistent daily hydration is so important for voice users… 1. Short term: Good hydration allows a thin layer of mucus to be secreted onto the vocal folds, keeping them nicely lubricated when vibrating hundreds of times a second during voicing! 2. Longer term: There are glands in the squishy bit (Superficial lamina prorpria) just under the thin, outer layer of the vocal folds (epithelium). When these glands are activated, they secrete a gooey substance that helps cushion the vocal folds, leading to more ease in producing voice. The maintenance of this gooey substance requires a consistent dedication to hydration over weeks and months. #hydrate #drink #voice

Reflecting on my first week as a Voice Specialist Speech and Language Therapist: • Observing video laryngoscopies: learning how voice issues are diagnosed and managed using video-stroboscopy, and seeing SLTs trial therapy techniques during laryngoscopy with immediate bio-feedback. • Observing joint voice clinics with ENT and SLT, deepening my understanding of voice assessment, differential diagnosis and management of voice disorders. • Vocal anatomy, studying both normal and abnormal structures and their impact on voice production. • Experiencing video laryngoscopy myself! Yesterday, I got to see my own vocal folds, which was an incredible moment. I obviously sang a bit and got to see my vocal folds vibrating. It was humbling to visualise my own voice being produced and it also helps me empathise with the patients who will have me sticking a little camera up their nose! It wasn’t actually that bad! Currently, I’m based at Wythenshawe Hospital while I learn the ropes. In a few weeks/months I will be moving further towards my full-time role as Voice Specialist SLT at Manchester Royal Infirmary. In the coming months, I look forward to sharing insights from my work in voice therapy and connecting it with my background as a singer and singing teacher. #VoiceTherapy #SpeechTherapy #VocalHealth #Singing #SLT #VoiceRehabilitation #manchester

First day on site with some new faces and some old… Observed the SLT specialist performers voice clinic and joint ENT/SLT voice clinic today. Seen lots of larynxes and have lots to reflect on already!

An enjoyable Saturday singing Mozart’s Mass in C minor with my favourite conductor @flamboyantbadger and other wonderful folks @katy_allan_soprano @peter.brooks2000 . Next up is Bach Magnificat in Chester Cathedral in March. I haven’t sung it for 10 years but it is still one of my favourites to sing! #bendiiictus #deposuit #tenor #singing

I have spent 2+ wonderful years working at Warrington Hospital. The team at Warrington are like extended family and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to begin my Speech Therapy career. I even wailed some Tosti at them as a ‘Goodbye’ gesture. Next week I start my new job at Manchester Royal Infirmary as a full-time Voice Specialist Speech and Language Therapist. This job is firmly in the realm of ‘dream job’ for me. I feel very fortunate to be joining the voice team at Manchester Foundation Trust and I can’t wait to contribute to the exciting work being done here.

Henry Arthur Littlewood, born 17/11/24 💙 loving life as a family of 4!