Opera Workshop

Lesli Loosli, B.F.A., M.A.

Aria, ensemble and scene study for singers. Staging,  character study and development of roles are the primary purposes for this course. Scenes will be selected after auditions with all singers accepted. Props, costumes, make-up and hairstyles will be discussed, with an end-of-semester performance. Bring your favorite selection to the audition.

Audition date is September 25.

Saturdays, 11:00 am -1:00 pm

$250/8 weeks

Theory & Ear Training Workshop

John Murelle, B.M., M.M.

Sight singing and conducting using diatonic melodies in simple and compound time. Students study all major and minor keys, the intervals in those keys, chord progressions, rhythmic design and phrasing.

Saturday, October 30

12:30-1:30 pm

$20

Instrumental Audition Prep

George Scharr

This is a pre-audition program in a master class format. Students will play for each other and then we will discuss topics such as:

• The importance of sight reading & knowing the history behind the selected piece
• Stress reduction techniques including how to keep your mouth from drying out
• How & why scales make the difference in auditions
• What to expect & how to dress for an audition, especially if this is your first audition

George Scharr is a graduate of New England Conservatory and the Education Director of the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra where he developed highly successful youth symphonic composition programs for high school students. Mr. Scharr was recently honored with the 2007 Music Advocacy Award from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association.

Saturday, November 13

12:30-1:30 pm

$20

 Music Appreciation

The Swing Era & It’s Impact on Jazz

Roger Gamache, B.M., Education, Berklee College of Music

This is a comprehensive look at a time when jazz was America’s most popular music! We will discuss the origins of jazz and its development
through the 1920s leading up to the Swing Era.

We will meet the musicians and the bandleaders who made swing what it was and look at the barriers of race and economic woes they had to overcome. We will examine styles and characteristics of each of the great Big Bands through lecture and musical examples. The role of women in jazz, the all-girl bands and their effect on professional music will be discussed.

Finally we look at the legacy of the Big Band era and the musicians who transformed jazz, and the bands that endured!

Fridays, 11:45-12:45 pm
$150/8 Weeks