SNATS meeting: post ideas here

Folks, I was able to secure us $800 through a last-minute request through USGA. We need to figure out how to spend it and plan for next semester. Ideas for guests or activities? Times you'd like to meet? Post here. Thanks.

Lesson Times...confirmed!

Lessons begin Monday, August 26, on the first day of class. There are only 14 weeks in the semester now, so here's the deal: if you have not registered, I cannot teach you. If I do not have your schedule, I cannot book a time for you. If you do not have a lesson this week, I will not make it up and you will receive an F for the week.

This is the plan for the coming week, though as those who have not sent schedules yet may cause some necessary rescheduling. Keep your eyes on this blog several times a DAY until things settle down. Shane: You are the only one who has not submitted your availability yet. You know what to do.

Please note the odd beginning and ending times of lesson times: this is due to university class blocks. Be aware of the off-hour timing, and come on time (if not a bit early, if you wish to take advantage of constructive rest before singing).

Bring something prepared for your first lesson: this may be an aria for opera auditions, something I have assigned, or something you'd really like to work on that we can explore together.

If you wish to have a pianist during your first lesson, email Dr. Chris Steele at csteele50@gmail.com. He is our new, full-time staff accompanist. He may or may not be your pianist for the semester, but is available for everyone this first week. Give him the respect due him by giving him your music in advance.

MONDAY
11:15-12:05 Nole (Dr. Steele)
12:20-1:10 EVERYONE...required Convocation in HRH
1:25-2:15  Johnathan (Dr. Steele)

TUESDAY
1-1:50 Jake (Dr. Steele)

WEDNESDAY
11:15-12:05 Kelsey (Chris)
12:20-1:10 EVERYONE: required meeting in my office
2:30-3:20 Shane (Dr. Steele)
3:30-4:20 Valencia (Dr. Steele)

THURSDAY
12:30-1 Coley (Dr. Steele)
1-1:50 EmKay (Dr. Steele)

FRIDAY
11:30-12 Amanda (Dr. Steele)
12:20-1:10 EVERYONE, every week...performance class (this week is in my office: poetry day. Have a memorized poem to recite and we'll discuss as a group. This is your perf. class grade for the week.)

IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM WITH THE TIME I HAVE ASSIGNED, EMAIL ME IMMEDIATELY! Thanks.

Dr. Kris Voice Studio Repertoire Assignments

These will be updated frequently: keep checking regularly. Check the library for your music first; order the music if you can second (ask me if you need help finding the correct edition); ask me to borrow it as a last resort. Time to both sharpen your research skills and increase your own personal libraries!

As always, if you don't like a piece I've assigned, let me know and we'll find something else. Come to your first lesson with something prepared.

Kelsey: Cavalli's "Delizie contente" and/or "Sento nel core" (both from Italian Arias book: there are many editions and keys available. Choose one that feels comfortable)

Amanda: Dowland's "If my complaints" or "Can she excuse" (I have good editions of these)

Shane: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Valencia: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Jake: SEMPLICE aria(s), Messiah arias

Johnathan: SEMPLICE aria(s)

EmKay: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Nole: SEMPLICE aria(s)

Fall Opera Auditions

For those of you interested in auditioning for the fall opera, Mozart's LA FINTA SEMPLICE, we will meet at 3:30 in the choir room on Tuesday, August 27 (the second day of class). During that time, you can ask questions, do a "dry run" of your audition aria if you wish (with or without me present: your choice), and learn more about the show. Auditions will be two days later, on August 29, so you'll want to come back from the summer with an audition aria ready to go! We will perform the opera in Italian, with surtitles. Audition repertoire is as follows. If you are unsure which role to prepare, please ask me for recommendations. Please also email me if you need a copy of the music.

Simone (baritone): "Troppo briga a prender moglie" or "Vieni O mio Ninetta"
Giacinta (mezzo-soprano): "Marito io vorrei"
Fracasso (tenor): "Guarda la donna in viso" or "Nelle guerre d'amore"
Cassandro (bass-baritone): : "Non c'e al mondo" or "Ella vuole ed io vorrei"
Ninetta (soprano): "Un marito, donne care" or "Sono in amore"
Polidoro (tenor): "Cosa ha mai la donna indosso"or "Sposa cara"
Rosina (soprano): "Colla bocca" or "Ho sentito"

Please note that the following arias will be cut from the opera:

Rosina: "Senti l'eco" (no. 9) and "Amoretti, che ascosi qui siete" (no. 15)
Ninetta: "Chi mi vuole ben" (no. 10)
Simone: "Con corte persone (no. 13)
Fracasso: In voi belle" (no. 20)

Possible cuts include Giacinta's "Se a maritarmi arrivo" (no. 14), or Giacinta's "Che scompiglio" (which may be reduced if not cut, due to orchestration concerns). Please do NOT bring these arias to the audition for this reason.

Sopranos, it may behoove you to bring two arias, one sung by Rosina and the other by Ninetta. You may also consider bringing one aria by Giacinta if you feel your middle voice has a warmer color, as some scores label her "soprano."

Please note that there will be an extra, non-singing role added to the show, known for now as The Housekeeper. She will function as the Narrator, and this will replace much of the recitative. Please do come to auditions to read, if you want to be involved but do not have a aria prepared.

Thoughts for young singers

David Pountney, opera director:
"A beautiful voice is absolutely not enough – it may even get in the way! Just as important are musicality, phrasing, diction, understanding, energy, intensity, charisma and character. "Understanding" relates to emotional truthfulness, life experience and above all imagination. "Character" is the quality that makes a performance individual – this may even include moments of deliberate ugliness. Singers frequently sacrifice diction for what they imagine is "beauty", but intensity of diction is precisely what punctuates and provides a counterpoint to beauty, bringing intensity and meaning into play. Relentless, unmodulated beauty is bland and frequently self-indulgent. Truth is greater than beauty in a singer, as in life."

Jury sheets available

Folks, your jury sheets are available and are posted on my door. If you'd like to talk about them, just let me know and we'll find a time. I'm around this week. Happy summer!

LISTENING ASSIGNMENTS DUE

Voice students, your listening assignments are due by 9am on May 8. This means your journal entries in your Google documents must be posted BEFORE juries begin! This doesn't have to be great prose, just a few lines about what you listened to, and what you noticed and learned about what you can apply to your own singing. Many of you have been doing this already in spurts, so you're on your way. You may complete your assignment in a variety of ways:

• Watch/listen to 4 hours of YouTube, posting the links in your Google doc
• Listen to a four hour opera on CD (Mozart's Figaro is a good example)
• Watch/listen to a combination of links on YouTube (good vocal role models have been provided for you: if you need more, let me know)
• Watch 4 hours of opera video from the library
• Go to medici.tv.com and choose something to watch
• Start a 14-day free trial on http://www.classicalarchives.com/
• Any other creative solution...just be sure it's a professional classical singer!

As always, if you need guidance, please email me.