Vacation of Choral Adult Learners
July 2th - 5th, 2008
SUMMER TUNE-UPS FOR CHORAL SINGERS!
Choirs Ontario proudly presents a vocal workshop for adult choral singers. Come to Aurora, just north of Toronto, for a week of vocal and choral Masterclasses, and experience singing with some of Canada’s leading clinicians. The opening session will cover warm-ups, vocal health, diction and more. Masterclasses will include Baroque and Classical Arias, Italian Art Songs, German Lieder, Romantic music, 20th/21st century songs, and stage music including opera, operetta, and musical theatre. Renowned conductor, Gerald Fagan, will lead evening choral sessions culminating in a ‘mini-concert’ on Saturday night. Choose to participate either as a ‘soloist’ or ‘auditor’ for any of the voice Masterclasses. Everyone is welcome as a chorister for our choral sessions!
THE MASTERCLASSES
We would like to encourage all singers who have ever wanted to try a solo to participate in the masterclasses. Simply sign up as a masterclass singer and give us a list of some songs you might like to perform. If you'd like to work with one of our clinicians on a Baroque Italian aria, or a Schubert Lied, or a folk song -- whatever you'd like to sing – we will find a place for you!
If we don't have a category that suits your repertoire, let us know what you would like to sing and we will arrange the schedule to include your repertoire. We are bound to have a wonderful time learning together in a positive and encouraging environment.
As this week is intended to be an inspiring learning experience, auditions are not required for the Masterclasses. Anyone wishing to sing in a Masterclass may do so by indicating this on the attached form. However, since space is limited, please list your repertoire selections in order of preference. Also, please bring at least two copies of your music. An accompanist will be provided. Memorization is encouraged but not mandatory. If your selections are not memorized, an extra copy of music will be required.REGISTRATION
The fee for this four-day event is $275 (Masterclass soloists) and $200 (Masterclass auditors). Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and meals. A special group rate is available at the Howard Johnson Aurora. Please call 905-727-1312 and quote booking reference CHOI, before June 2, 2008. Complete the attached form and send it, along with your payment and a brief outline of your musical background, to the Choirs Ontario office by May 15th, 2008. Music packages will be mailed upon receipt of payment.
For more information, please contact the Choirs Ontario office at 416-923-1144 or email info@choirsontario.org.
THE ARTISTIC STAFF
DR. GERALD RICHARD FAGAN, Conductor
Gerald Fagan is in his 29th Season as Conductor of London Fanshawe Symphonic Chorus, Concert Players Orchestra and Gerald Fagan Singers.
In 1978 Mr. Fagan became an administrator of the Faculty of Music at Fanshawe College in London and formed the above-named three artistic groups. His policy of hiring young Canadian talent as soloists has contributed to the careers of Mark Pedrotti, Sandra Graham, Gary Relyea, Leslie Fagan, Mark DuBois, Janis Taylor, Brian McIntosh and Ben Heppner. International artists of note who have performed with him are the late Lois Marshall, the late Victor Borge, the late Elmer Iseler, Maureen Forrester, Thomas Paul, Sir David Willcocks, and Eric Ericson.
Innovative scheduling has included a “Three Requiem Weekend”, seeing the Requiems of Mozart, Verdi and Brahms sung over the Easter weekend twice, the most recent being 2003. His two choirs and orchestra were also one of only four Canadian groups performing in the “Worldwide Rolling Requiem” on September 11, 2002, at 8:46 a.m. local time.
In the past ten years, Maestro Fagan has conductor in Lithuania, Poland, Holland, Belgium, England, Germany, France, Spain and the Czech Republic. He has conducted choirs from South Africa, Peru, United States, Scotland, Cuba, Taiwan and Canada – all at International Festivals where he was a Guest Conductor.
In a musical career spanning close to 50 years, Gerald Fagan has come to be regarded as an icon of Canadian Choral Music. Season upon season he brings his love and enthusiasm for music to performers and audiences alike.
SANDRA GRAHAM, Vocal Coach
Mezzo-soprano Sandra Graham has established a world-wide reputation for thrilling performances ranging from the works of Handel to Penderecki, and has performed and recorded with Helmut Rilling, Charles Dutoit, and Sir Andrew Davis. Miss Graham won both the Canadian Opera Company Mozart and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Competitions, and was a top prize winner in three international competitions. She has performed lead roles at the Staatstheatre in Stuutgart, Germany. Miss Graham teaches voice and leads opera workshops at the University of Ottawa. This past season, Miss Graham sang the role of “Diane” in the world premiere of the opera “Pastoral” (by Paris composer Gerrard Pesson) with the Stuttgart State Opera (Germany). She is one of the featured performers in BRAVO!’s documentary about the Incontro Chamber Music festival in Italy.
INGEMAR KORJUS, Vocal Coach
Bass-baritone Ingemar Korjus is the winner of numerous national and international competitions, including the CBC Talent Festival, the International Vocalists’ Competition at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Holland, and the prestigious Munich Competition. He has been a soloist with the Canadian Opera Company, Opera Lyra and for 3 seasons with Die Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf, Germany. As well as opera, Ingemar Korjus has been heard in recital and oratorio in Europe, the United States and across Canada.
A jury member for the Canada and Ontario Arts Councils, as well as a popular adjudicator at many festivals, he has given classes at the Universities of Montreal, Moncton, Memorial University, the Glenn Gould Professional School, Toronto, Wheaton College, Illinois, and the Julliard School of Music in Manhattan, New York. Formerly Chairman at the Department of Music at the University of Ottawa and Co-artistic Director of the Opera Lyra Young Artists Program., Ingemar Korjus is presently Sector Head of the University of Ottawa’s voice program.
THE SCHEDULE
| Wednesday, July 2, 2007 | Thursday, July 3, 2007 | Friday, July 4, 2007 | Saturday, July 5, 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|
9:30 – 10:15 Welcome 10:15 – 10:30 break 10:30 – 12:30 Solo Masterclass |
9:30 - 10:15 Warm-up 10:15 – 10:30 break 10:30 – 12:30 Solo Masterclass |
9:30 – 10:15 Warm-up 10:15 – 10:30 break 10:30 – 12:30 Solo Masterclass |
9:30 – 10:15 Warm-up 10:15 – 10:30 break 10:30 – 12:30 Solo Masterclass |
| 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch | 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch | 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch | 12:30 - 2:00 Lunch |
2:00 – 4:00 Lecture / Activity |
2:00 – 4:00 Lecture / Activity |
2:00 – 4:00 Lecture / Activity |
2:00 – 4:00 Lecture / Activity |
| 5:00 - 7:00 Dinner | 5:00 - 7:00 Dinner | 5:00 - 7:00 Dinner | 5:00 - 7:00 Dinner |
7:00 – 10:00 Choral evening |
7:00 – 10:00 Choral evening |
7:00 – 10:00 Choral evening |
7:00 warm-up |
THE REGISTRATION FORM
The registration form for Adult "VOCAL" Week can be downloaded from the web site here. For more information, contact Choirs Ontario.