Voice and Vocal Piano
Marilyn Horne, Director; Warren Jones; Heinz Blankenburg; Fred Carama; John Churchwell; Mary Blackwood Collier; Matthew Epstein; Jonathan Kelly; Carrie-Ann Matheson; David Paul
Under the direction of celebrated mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, the Voice Program offers intensive training for young singers who demonstrate the potential for careers in music. Fellows are coached in singing technique, diction, interpretation, style, and presentation, and explore the literature of opera, musical theatre, and song.
Application Process, Audition List, Dates and Deadlines
Admission to the Voice Program is limited to 23 singers. Applicants must be 18 years of age prior to the start of the Summer Festival (exceptional applicants ag 16 or 17 may be considered, see "The School" page for details regarding terms of special enrollment for those ages 16 & 17), and no older than 34 years of age through the Festival's conclusion.
Singers accepted into the Voice Program receive opera assignments within the enrollment materials, and opera showcase assignments are distributed approximately 3 months before the Summer School and Festival begins. Each singer is expected to arrive ready for coaching with all repertoire memorized. Vocal assignments are based on admissions auditions but are subject to change according to Fellows' progress during the Academy session.
An integral component of the Voice Program, the Vocal Piano Program offers training in collaboration, coaching, and conducting for advanced pianists. Reflecting the realities of today's accompanying profession, the Vocal Piano Program stresses proficiency in both operatic and song repertoire.
Admission to the Vocal Piano Program is limited to six pianists. Each vocal pianist will have a private studio at Cate School for his or her use.
Opera and Opera Scenes
Academy singers, prepared and coached by Voice Program faculty, will present two fully staged performances of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress at Santa Barbara's Granada Theatre in August 2012. Opera assignments will be communicated along with enrollment offers. Two "Opera Scenes" performances feature semi-staged opera scenes with piano accompaniment. Scenes are chosen following the enrollment of the 2012 singers.
Individual Lessons
Each voice and vocal piano Fellow receives private weekly lessons from members of the faculty. In addition to their own lessons, vocal piano fellows participate in the private lessons of the voice Fellows.
Studio Classes
Scheduled periodically throughout the eight-week program, studio classes unite all voice and vocal piano Fellows with faculty for in-depth sessions on aspects of technique, style and interpretation via performance, analysis, constructive critique, and discussion.
Masterclasses
Fellows perform and receive instruction from Voice and Vocal Piano Program faculty in the presence of an audience. Classes address the needs of both singer and pianist and cover a wide range of styles, nationalities, and periods of opera and song.
Foreign Language Coaching
Voice Fellows receive individual instruction in German, French, and Italian diction throughout the eight-week program.
Special Workshop: The Singer's Career
Each summer a distinguished member of the vocal profession leads Academy Voice Fellows in a unique workshop covering issues central to the rich, complex life of the professional singer. Working in group and individual sessions, singers explore such topics as audition techniques, repertoire choice, and finding a manager.Marilyn Horne Song Competition
