Singing between the lines

Dr. Richard Todd Payne still has the voicemail message saved, perhaps forever, on his office phone. It illustrates his research focus: How can we help audiences identify with us through performance?

The message came from an 87-year-old woman in Missouri. Days earlier, Payne, a professor of music and professional opera singer, performed with the Springfield Symphony for a special Black History Month concert in February 2018.

There, Payne’s baritone delivered soaring solos and narrated the second half of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The woman wanted to attend the performance at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Unfortunately, she had to wait to hear the show on the radio.

“You gave me my soul back with your songs and your wonderful voice and the things you said today,” she said. “You gave me my life back.”

And she went on.

“I have to tell you that I’m losing my eyesight to degeneration,” she said, “but I once was blind, but now I see. Thank you. Bless you.”

Dr. Todd Payne demonstrates technique to his vocal students.

Payne turns off the recording. He sits back in his chair as a state of contentment washes over his face.

“It made me realize that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing,” he said, tapping his index finger on his desk with each beat.

“If I never get to the Metropolitan Opera, it’s OK, because I know I was put on this Earth to touch the lives of others through the power of music.”

In April 2018, one dream came true when he sang at Alice Tully Hall, a concert hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan.

A lifetime performer

Payne estimates that his career includes hundreds of performances. The list includes more than 30 recitals and major performances in the last five years. And that doesn’t include the hundreds of times he sang at church and other family events.

What I tell my students, and I instilled this in myself, is that practice prepares you for the persistent pursuit of your predestined purpose.

He also teaches voice at Missouri State, in courses that range from the 100 to 600 levels.

Payne shared that voicemail with his students to drive home a central point: He’s here to teach them so much more than singing.

“My research is going underneath the surface,” he said. “I look at music and ask, ‘What is it saying? How does it apply to me, and how can I give that back to the audience?’”

When he walks out on stage, the audience sees or hears him as Dr. Todd Payne. But Payne himself said he experiences an out-of-body sensation.

Student Emily McFadden practices with Dr. Todd Payne.

“Every time when I walk on that stage, I leave Todd Payne in the wing outside and I walk on as whoever I am beginning to personify,” he said. “All of a sudden, I feel like I’m just floating when it comes to singing.”

The key to that, he says, is practice. Oh, and legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, who Payne has admired for decades.

Payne read Jordan’s autobiography, which made him realize what drove Jordan to win a half-dozen NBA championships. The principle applies to Payne’s performance career and how he teaches his students.

“Jordan said that he played in practice as if he was already in the NBA Finals,” Payne said. “That was his mentality.

“I practice and perform as if I’m getting ready to make my debut at the Metropolitan Opera. I teach my students as if they, tomorrow, are getting ready to change the world.”

Student Alex Smith and Dr. Todd Payne perform a duet in class.

Student Alex Smith and Dr. Todd Payne perform a duet in class.

One of Payne’s former students, Chris Boemler, echoed that statement. Boemler spent parts of nine semesters under Payne’s wing, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education in 2012.

He now teaches choir, guitar and music theory at Festus High School in Festus, Missouri. Payne inspired him to never give up on his students, and to teach them that true music lies in the intent with which notes are performed.

“He really helped me on my sense of drive with my voice and finding my true voice,” Boemler said.

Payne also helped senior music major Emily McFadden find her voice in and outside of music. McFadden took private lessons from Payne and said the professor’s wisdom assisted her quest to succeed in college.

“He’s adamant about taking care of yourself,” she said. “He helped me understand how to draw boundaries and say ‘no’ when I need to. College requires a personal drive, and he taught me how to be my own motivator.”

Teaching inclusion through music

About two years ago, Springfield Symphony music director Kyle Wiley Pickett approached Payne with an idea.

The director wanted to do something special for Black History Month in February 2018. Payne said he’d love to put together a group of selections.

When you find the meaning of music, I believe you give an audience more than just a beautiful voice or entertainment. You’re being vulnerable to share part of who you are with them through your singing.

On several occasions, Payne had recited the second half of King’s famous speech and was familiar with gospel music and hymns. A concert was born.

“It was magical. That was the first time that, to my knowledge, the symphony had ever performed ‘Precious Lord, Take My Hand’ and ‘We Shall Overcome’ with narration of Dr. King’s words,” Payne said.

“Truthfully, this show was born out of love.”

Students from one of Dr. Todd Payne’s classes. Submitted by Payne

Payne said he’s a storyteller, and that he tells his students that their job is to touch the lives of those who are in the audience.

“You’re advocating for the continuous fact that music is a universal language that washes away from the soul the everyday dust of life,” he said.

“That’s what you have to be an advocate for. Music sees no color. It sees people for who we are. We’re stronger together as one.”

Further reading

Major in music


5 Responses
  • Anthony Loudis

    Kevin, I guess I am your first responder to this article. Fantastic! Dr. Payne has been an asset to the MSU music program since he first walked on campus. He has led many into the field of performance, and the love of music. You have captured this man to a tee! Congrats on this article and thank you for focusing on a great man and a man who loves what he does.

  • David C. Risner

    I have known Dr. Payne as a dear friend and a brother in music since the days when we walked around the campus of Memphis State University as undergraduates ready to take on the world. Although we eventually took different career paths, Dr. Payne’s passion and love for music and people continues to shine through today more than ever, both in his teaching and his personal performances. If his students only get a small part of what he has contributed to my life, they will forever be the better for it!

  • Dr. Todd Payne

    Thank you so much for your kind words! I am truly grateful!

  • Allyssa Lang- Taylor

    Dr.Payne has inspired me to be the best version of myself. I have grown tremendously as a singer, and person over the last 4 years I have taken lessons with him. I am blessed to have such an amazing leader!

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