How was the First opening made?

[Captain Robert April]

He's clearly asking how James T. Kirk lost his virginity, a topic still unaddressed by even Abrams's Star Trek prequel.

The odds are good some farm animal was involved.

Only in JJ's version.

 

[Captain Robert April]

The early first season had some sort of weird synthed out something (can't really tell if it was a violin, cello, or kazoo, for that matter), then around mid-season (I'm pretty sure starting with "The Galileo Seven"), we got the standard orchestral version.

I seem to recall Herb Solow (in "Inside Star Trek") giving an indication that there actually was a singer in the first season opening, but the production was such that she was completely inaudible (I think you might be able to barely hear her waaaaaay in the background at the end of the late-season version), so with the second season, in the reworking of the arrangement, she was made much more prominent.

Granted, this is a lot of speculation based on Solow's sometimes inconsistent recollections, but there you are...

 

[Green Shirt]

The early first season had some sort of weird synthed out something (can't really tell if it was a violin, cello, or kazoo, for that matter.

That being my favorite version, I was quite happy when it was added to more 1st season eps for the DVD box set.

 

[Maurice]

I believe Sandy Courage wanted the soprano to blend into the music to give it an odd quality, but that she was "dialed up" later, revealing it was a voice. I will try to find the interview where this was discussed.

 

[Orcus]

I believe Sandy Courage wanted the soprano to blend into the music to give it an odd quality, but that she was "dialed up" later, revealing it was a voice. I will try to find the interview where this was discussed.

Well I like the soprano vocals - it made the theme sufficiently different from the myriad other orchestral/brass-heavy TV themes of the day...

 

[plynch]

I believe Sandy Courage wanted the soprano to blend into the music to give it an odd quality, but that she was "dialed up" later, revealing it was a voice. I will try to find the interview where this was discussed.

Well I like the soprano vocals - it made the theme sufficiently different from the myriad other orchestral/brass-heavy TV themes of the day...

The high soprano vocalizing was used in schmaltzy music. "Mama Like the Roses" by Elvis (Memphis sessions 1969) popped into my mind's ear. He employed Kathy Westmoreland as his soprano on tour when he returned to live performing (same year). Often she just added a high ooooo . . . to his very rich mix (band, orch, male and female backing quartets). Schmaltz city. BUT I LOVE IT!!! Sorry . . .

 

[Maurice]

The high soprano vocalizing was used in schmaltzy music. . . .

Which isn't the same thing as saying all uses of it in music is schmaltzy.

 

[plynch]

The high soprano vocalizing was used in schmaltzy music. . . .

Which isn't the same thing as saying all uses of it in music is schmaltzy.

Your logic is good.