Price: Free
Format: iPad and iPhone

Description:
Vox Tools is an app that assists vocalists with warm-up vocalise routines. The app has very specific functionality. The app has several vocalises available, and there are also "routines" designed for specific occasions, like playlists. There is a recording option, but it does not allow you to record while you sing along to the provided exercises. There is also an option to customize your own warm-up, with about 20 different scales/arpeggios to choose from.

My Experience:
I downloaded this app with the hope that it might be good to recommend for beginning singers to use for beginning voice lessons, teaching technique and breathing basics. Unfortunately, the only exercises available in the app are more advanced vocalises which would only be appropriate for advanced (I would estimate college-level) singers.

Pros:

• Vox Tools provides a decent warm-up routine for these specific situations: first-thing in the morning, a general daily warm-up, and a routine for when you've been using your voice a lot, and it feels tired.
  
• The build-your-own exercise option works great as an automatic accompanist for warm-ups. You can set the scale or arpeggio to use, and the app will automatically play the exercise and then modulate up or down a half-step.
  
• For each exercise, there is a recording of a professional vocalist singing the exercise as an example.
  
• Each exercise has a fairly detailed text description.
  

Cons:

• The app does not provide any feedback for the singer, it simply plays a backing track.
  
• It's not possible to add your own vocal exercises, or save your own routines.
  
• You can't record yourself singing along with the exercise tracks.
  
• Does not provide any information to singers in terms of basic technique, like breathing or posture.
  
• The exercises are mostly too difficult (in my opinion) for beginning singers.
  
• It's really purple. Really really purple.
  
• The English version (original is Spanish language) has several typos.

Final Thoughts:
This app would not be useful for a beginning singer, but might be good for a more advanced musician. However, in my experience, most professional singers just warm-up without accompaniment (it's easier to focus on technique and sound without having to worry about pitch). Also, way too much purple.

Format: App for iPad only and requires iOS 7 or higher.

Pricing - $6.99 

Description: forScore is a document reader with a whole lot of extra functions. Designed from a rehearsal standpoint there are a lot of great functions for the director to manipulate a score just as they would a paper version. Annotating, typing text, writing notes, and cropping are just some of the basic functions of the app. You can either scan from another source and upload the files, purchase from their in-app store, or take photos and upload right from the iPad. Adding some other rehearsal tools like a metronome, mini piano, and tuner are some of the other selling points of the app.

Features: 

• Easily sortable Library searchable by title, composer, or recently added
• Searchable rehearsal markers
• Note taking right on the score (typed or scribbled)
• In-app metronome that can make a sound, "pulse" the screen, or both
• Mini piano 
• Tuning pitches
• Ability to share work as a .pdf or 4SC (forScore) documents
• Store for browsing their uploaded score. Some free, some for purchase

My Experience: I have had this app for a few years and have used it off and on. It can be a really great rehearsal tool, but it is also a nice way of just eliminating some clutter while on the podium. Switching between tunes is as easy as two taps if you have it well organized. The dark-room feature allows you to be able to simply take pictures of the scores rather than try and scan them (great for oversized scores). The best viewing comes when you have a generated .pdf document though. I haven't made this a staple in my rehearsals simply because sometimes it is more of a hassle to upload the scores in a way that I am pleased to rehearse with. Also I just can't part with my Dr. Beat. The visible metronome function is great because it pulses the sides of the score, but can become trippy. Page turns are easy as a tap in the direction you would like to go, though be careful you don't accidentally tap the scroller at the bottom and jump to the end of the piece! A rarity, but it did happen...at contest...




Pros

• Nice resources for in app use - metronome, tuning pitches, annotation
• Easy to read - as clear as the picture or scan you take
• Zooming in - great for tiny font!
• One touch page turns
• Audible and Visible metronome
• Not a huge learning curve - pretty self explanatory

Cons 

• Cost - Even though it has a lot of extra functions that work - if you are just using it as a .pdf reader it is too much
• Library shop - mostly pop tunes and piano tunes. Not a whole lot to purchase for ensembles
• Unformatted page turns - if you want to flip the pad make sure that is is supposed to look that way otherwise it becomes a larger process for page turns

Final Thoughts: 
I do like this app. I can't say that I use it a whole lot, but do try and utilize functions a little more each year. There are some great things that you can do with it, and being able to show kids the score on an overhead (if you have the connections) is a great thing in a rehearsal. i find that this is really more of a great tool for score study. It is nice not lugging around four bands worth of literature, but at the same time it is a process to upload all of that material as well. The page turns are easy enough and you can even buy an adapter to turn pages with a foot pedal from the company's website or there is a $.99 app called cue where you can use another iOS device to turn the page through bluetooth (haven't tried this one yet. Future post?...). Overall I am going to rate this app as a maybe try it. I know that it has a lot of potential, but the whole iPad in the rehearsal is still a new concept. I think that it is a good one to have (especially in case they keep raising the price). I bought this for $4.99 a few years ago and it has gone up due to newer features (don't have to pay for the new ones though, woot!). In any case. Maybe go for it. It's up to you. 

Format: IOS devices
Price: $4.99

Description:
Tonal Energy is an app with extensive functions as a tuner, metronome, and general rehearsal aid. It is available on Apple mobile device platforms. Its primary feature is a large tuner display, featuring both a visual approximation and an exact reading of pitch in terms of cents sharp or flat. It also has a metronome function with a variety of subdivision features. A full chromatic scroll wheel allows the generation of pitches, intervals, and chords using characteristic sound samples of 16 different instruments. It also features a tab of more complex features including a spectral analyzer, waveform display, and overtone analyzer.  

Students can see how flat or sharp their sounds are, both by the numerical indication and the visual semi-circle approximation, complete with color coding (red = way out of tune). 

My Experience:
Tonal Energy is very stable, and I have not encountered any crashes or bugs in my experience. The basic functions of the app are very user-friendly - first time operators will be able to easily use the tuner and tone generating functions. Students will need guidance in understanding the more advanced spectral and waveform displays. However, implications abound for creative and cross-curricular activities in the classroom, linking in music theory, listening skills, physics, and acoustics. Young students are well-motivated and energized by the appearance of the Smiley Face on a solidly in-tune note. 

Final Thoughts & Verdict:
Tonal Energy packs a variety of functions into a smooth, attractive interface at a very affordable price. Performers and educators can find all their basic practice aids in one app. The app has implications for all types of music education and learners of all ability levels. One must continue to teach students that tuning and playing in tune is an auditory process, not just a visual process of getting the smiley face to appear! As long as this caveat is considered, I can strongly encourage all music educators, especially those in the instrumental vein, to invest in this app.