Jordan Hall (New England Conservatory)
SCE Opera Studio
Daniel Wyneken, chair & music director
Marc Astafan, guest stage director
June 6-23 (twelve meetings)
M-Th: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
The SCE Opera Studio offers an exciting opportunity for serious singers to receive operatic training. Sessions include movement and acting classes, audition techniques, aria stagings, musical coachings and scene preparation. The course concludes with two public performances at NEC.
Auditions: Thursday, May 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 22, 2:00-5:00p.m. or by appointment; two arias are required. Call 617-288-8177 for more information and an audition time.
2 SCE credits: $850
Full participants (Non-credit): $715
(NEC College students: $610)
Auditors (Non-credit): $275
(Note: auditors are invited to observe all class activities, rehearsals, and performances. They are not given scene assignments, however, and do not perform.)
Sight-Singing for Singers
Mark Lee
June 6-August 1 (eight meetings; no class July 4)
M: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Singers who understand staff notation and can easily sing basic rhythms and find pitches on the keyboard are systematically taught to develop their sight-singing skills. Students are given regular drills in recognizing and singing all intervals; they also become fluent with all key signatures, learning to sight-sing accurately in all major and minor keys. Students are expected to attend class regularly and spend two to three hours a week in outside-class preparation.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor; please call 781-397-6825.
1 SCE credit: $425
Non-credit: $305
Voice Class
Mark Lee
June 7-July 26 (eight meetings)
Tu: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
This course introduces the principles of good singing: posture, breath support, tone production, singer’s diction and resonance. Students apply their knowledge by preparing songs of their choice and performing them in class, where they are coached by the instructor. Ideal for singers who wish to understand and strengthen their singing voice in a class setting that focuses upon increasing their confidence and enjoyment. Call the instructor at 781-397-6825 for a placement interview.
1 SCE credit: $425
Non-credit: $305
Tenor Tune-up: Basic Techniques for Tenors
Mark Lee
June 8-29 (four meetings)
W: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
This course is designed for the amateur or intermediate tenor, and will help singers develop increased range, stability, and stamina. Students will learn specific techniques for removing constriction, strengthening and stabilizing notes in the upper range, and achieving variety in tone quality.
Prerequisite: Teacher interview; please call instructor at 781-397-6825.
Non-credit: $160
Art Songs of Spain and Argentina
Clara Sandler
July 5-July 14 (eight meetings)
T-F, M-Th: 6:30-8:30pm
Final recital: July 14, 7:00 p.m.
We will learn and perform pieces from the vibrant Spanish and Argentine song repertoire of the 20th century; students are coached on assigned songs in class and will perform them at the final recital. We will also discuss the differences in the Spanish diction of both countries and listen to historic recordings of famous singers. Suitable for adult singers and advanced teenagers; some knowledge of Spanish is preferable, but not necessary. (Note: For an informational interview and to schedule an audition, please call Clara Sandler at 617-739-0365. Auditions will take place on Thursday, June 16, 7-9 p.m.; songs will be assigned by Saturday, June 18. Please work on your songs before the first class.)
1 SCE credit: $425
Non-credit: $305
How to Audition
Kathryn Fields
June 13-17 (five meetings)
M-F: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Final performance: Fri June 17, 8:00 p.m.
A one-week intensive workshop on the successful musical theater or opera audition. Participants will hone audition skills, concentrating on physical and emotional focus, elements of character, interpretive through-line, and the specifics of the audition experience. A practical approach to auditioning.
Non-credit: $225
The Song Recital: A Workshop for Singers and Pianists
Murray Kidd, instructor
Mana Tokono, piano
June 28-July 21 (eight meetings)
T,Th: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Final recital: July 21, 8:00 p.m.
Adult singers and pianists interested in preparing their own song recital are welcome in this class (originally designed for high school singers and pianists planning to major in music in college), which offers guidelines for the preparation necessary for a successful song recital. Students are coached and perform weekly with a professional pianist; the entire class will produce their own recital. The final recital will be professionally recorded and each student will receive a CD.
Auditions to decide repertoire: Sunday, June 5, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Call 617-585-1130 to reserve a time.
1 SCE credit or non- credit: $440
Lyric Diction for Singers I: The IPA, English, and Italian Diction
Eve Budnick
June 27-July 21 (eight meetings)
M,Th: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
For singers and coaches. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and its application to the performance of English and Italian song. Classes include written, spoken and sung exercises; the course concludes with a short in-class performance for students and invited guests. No prior diction study is required.
Text: Joan Wall, International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers; also recommended: Joan Wall, Diction for Singers.
1 SCE credit: $425
Non-credit: $305
Lyric Diction for Singers II: The IPA, German, and French Diction
Eve Budnick
(eight meetings; schedule to be decided)
First meeting: June 28, 7:30âO”9:30 p.m.
A study of German and French diction using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and its application to the performance of lieder and chanson. Classes include written, spoken and sung exercises, one-on-one coaching, and (size permitting) a final in-class performance for invited guests.Those unable to attend the first meeting should contact the instructor at eve@vocalrep.org or 781-821-9321.
Prerequisite: Lyric Diction I or permission of the instructor.
Required text: John Moriarty, Diction; also recommended: Joan Wall, International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers.
1 SCE credit: $425
Non-credit: $305