COURSES FOR SINGERS: there will be no vocal component in 2018 edition of the Festival !!!
Individual Voice Lessons (and Voice Laboratory)
Individual instruction in the continuing development of the singer’s vocal ability with emphasis on building a technique appropriate to the repertoire suitable to the singer’s voice classification. Repertoire is chosen based upon the evaluation of the applicants Registration form and most recent video-recording.
Voice Studio Lab: Members of the voice studios meet to perform and discuss topics of mutual interest.
Aria/Operatic scenes (for advanced students only)/Chamber music (for everybody)/Operetta/Music Theater (for selected students) Preparation coaching (and Coaching Laboratory)
Individual coaching of selected and assigned repertoire, incompassing work on style, phrasing, diction, expression.
We are dedicated to broadening the vocal repertoire by introducing forgotten gems.
Coaching Studio Lab: Members of the coaching studios meet to perform and discuss topics of mutual interest.
Ensemble Preparation Coaching
Ensemble coaching of broad range repertoire on style and musical finess
Stage Artistry Classes
A study of techniques needed by the vocalists to perform on stage a broad range of the repertoire, with emphasis on learning techniques for portrayal, character analysis, moods and language. Psychological preparation, body language and movement, and physical appearance for the stage are included.
German, French, Italian (daily group lessons, obligatory for singers, optional for all participants), Russian Diction (optional, arranged individually upon request)
Instructions of proper pronunciation and enunciation of the German, French, Italian & Russian languages.
The qualified singers, with fluently spoken German, who are interested in embarking the European career, will be assisted in setting up auditions for European managers/intendants/conductors (the final decision will be made at completion of the program)
COURSES FOR PIANISTS & INSTRUMENTALISTS
Individual lessons (and Instrumental Laboratory)
Study of the instrument with the goal of further developing the technical and interpretive abilities in playing various repertoire and collaborating with vocalists or/and instrumentalists.
Keyboard Laboratory
Class discussion of the challenges common to keyboard players regarding the vocal repertoire and collaborating with vocalists and instrumentalists.
Instrumental Laboratory
Class discussion of the specifics of the string and woodwinds ensemble technique
Collaborative Piano techniques
Teaches the techniques of accompanying and preparing opera and/or Lied repertoire as well as ensemble work with instrumentalists.
Practicum
The pianists will be assigned a number of singers/instrumentalists to accompany in classes and performances.
The instrumentalists will be assigned a repertoire involved various combinations of the instruments or instruments with voice, to train the practical ability to collaborate and to help to improve the feeling and technique for the ensemble music – making
JAZZ CURRICULUM ( if we have the faculty and students): there will be no jazz component in 2018 edition of the Festival !!!
Jazz Performance Lab Ensemble(s)
Designed as the core to the 2 week experience, this small ensemble (4 – 6 instrumentalists + vocalist) will focus on building skills and artistry in improvisation as individuals and groups. With daily rehearsals and 2 to 3 performances throughout the 2 week session, ensembles will focus on the standard jazz repertoire, original composition, free improvisation and original arrangements.
Private Instruction
2 to 3 private sessions per student will be scheduled to further instruction in creative questions coming from the Performance Lab rehearsals and to provide instruction in areas in which the student may need help. Composition, improvisation strategies, ear training and transcribing may be addressed at these sessions.
Jazz Styles and Analysis
Jazz Styles and Analysis is designed to explore 5 important recordings from the jazz style in detail. Transcription of melody, rhythms and harmonies of the recordings (listed below) will be the catalyst for analysis and performance. The focus will be on the balance of form and gesture making these exceptional performances in the jazz canon.
– Louis Armstrong’s West End Blues
– Ella Fitzgerald’s How High the Moon
– Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt’s Eternal Triangle
– Miles Davis’ Blues By Five
– Brad Mehldau’s August Ending
Jazz Theory and Composition
This afternoon session will focus on an overview of jazz scale/chord theory and basic jazz languages from bebop to the present. Several original compositions may be generated from the course in different styles, including but not limited to bebop, hard bop, modal, latin, avant garde, and contemporary fusion styles. Repertoire and recordings will be selected as examples of the art form.
Morning Warm – Up Exercises
Several morning warm up sessions will help musicians prepare for the day by stimulating imagination through improvisation. Exercises include:
– Drone/long tone improvisation
– Playing over simple pentatonic patterns
– Call and response
– Simple rote tune learning
– Duet playing
– Group free improvisation
– Use of poetry and visual art as an improvisational guide
Vianden Festival 