Explore the new horizons of Art Song
SINGERS, PIANISTS, COMPOSERS, SCHOLARS, TEACHERS
ACTORS, DIRECTORS, CREATIVE WRITERS
VISI is a meeting place for groundbreaking studies in the interpretation and performance of ART SONG. Our programs for young artists, emerging professionals, and career development integrate groundbreaking innovation in song interpretation, performance practice, composition, scholarship, research, and multi-media creation.
The intensive learning environment and the SONGFIRE Festival of Song provide a comprehensive immersion into the heart of Art Song, inspiring new perspectives and transformative approaches. Guided by internationally renowned artists, scholars, and other experts, enjoy dynamic and intensive masterclasses, coachings, workshops, lectures, collaborative retreats, and Art Song Theatre production. Explore the new directions of arts for social change. Take the stage at VISI and share your own daring creativity.
Transform your views of Art Song and its contemporary relevance in the world.
"VISI creatively pursues imagination, penetrating scholarship, close poetic readings, sensitive musicianship, and what it means to be deeply immersed in the arts every day of one’s life. VISI frees the mind and focuses the ear towards the musical spirit of song - its thoughts, feelings, and philosophies." - VISI participant.
VISI 2012 PROGRAMS
We are honoured to announce the participation of
SIR THOMAS ALLEN
and Professors MICHAEL MUSGRAVE, LORNA MCDONALD, MIRA ZAKAI,
in the VISI 2012 faculty.
We also celebrate the return of Mezzo-soprano SUSAN PLATTS and Professors MARGO GARRETT and SUSAN YOUENS to our
distinguished group of artists and scholars.
Theatre of Song/Collaborative Piano Studies
SONGFIRE Theatre Apprenticeship | Song Scholarship and Performance
Art Song Lab | Arts of Conscience| French Mélodie Immersion
"I had an inspiring, revelatory, challenging
and altogether fabulous time!"
Choose the VISI programs that fit your career path and enjoy the converging events that weave all the strands together.
"VISI integrates the creative music-making process with literary, physical, theatrical, philosophical, and even scientific approaches, and is an ideal program for any curious and passionate artist. The expertise of the great faculty, the friendly and supportive atmosphere, and beautiful Vancouver all encouraged me for further artistic endeavors."
Theatre of Art Song/Collaborative Piano Studies
June 2-24
Singers and Pianists:
Advanced Performance Studies
Young University Artists
VISI offers two intensive programs for Singers and Pianists in the interpretation and performance of Art Song, combining traditional recital preparation with diverse explorations of innovative performance practices. The courses include private coaching, small group classes and public masterclasses, extensive studies in dramatic recitation, staging and improvisational theatre, daily Workshops and Lectures, and many performance opportunities. (more) Collaborative Piano Studies is a component of the Theatre of Art Song Program. Studies dedicated to the special skills of the collaborative pianist's craft are woven into the 3 weeks of voice/piano partnerships. Collaborate with Faculty singers, study with faculty pianists, work in duos, and study collaborative dynamics with facilitators from mediation fields. (more)
SONGFIRE Theatre Apprenticeship Program
June 2-24
Singers, Pianists, Actors, Writers, Directors
Art Song departs from the recital stage and claims the theatre for its own. Participate in creating new works of Art Song Theatre, and join the revolution! SONGFIRE is a program for Singers and Pianists with advanced training in Opera and Collaborative Piano. A maximum of 12 singers and 4 pianists will be accepted to this 3-week program leading to a full production.
Actors, Writers, and Directors may inquire about Mentorship options. SONGFIRE Theatre breaks new ground in the presentation of Art Song, bringing the highest creative standards to a new canon of multi-media works. (more)
Interdisciplinary Song Scholarship and Performance
Scholars: June 4-13
Performers: June 4-18
Graduate Student Musicologists,Theorists, Singers, and Pianists
“SSP is a dream program for any doctoral student. Beyond the intellectual and artistic riches VISI offers, this is a wonderful opportunity to forge connections that will serve them well for many years to come.” - Kristina Muxfeldt, Associate Professor of Musicology, Indiana University
“SSP is truly a rare gem. The close, daily interaction between the highest caliber scholars and talented, imaginative coaches was one of the single greatest musical experiences I’ve ever had.”
A barrier-breaking collaborative course combining intensive historical and analytical study of Art Song repertoire with performance studies in an interactive setting for scholars and performers. If you are a graduate student scholar interested in writing research materials for performers, or a graduate student performer who loves the research process of song interpretation, share ideas with some of the world’s top scholars and interpreters in lectures, masterclasses, seminars, workshops, coachings, mentoring, and performance collaborations. (more)
French Mélodie Immersion: The realm of DEBUSSY
June 13-24
Singers and Pianists – duos welcome
“Amazing faculty - the best summer program I’ve attended”
"Votre âme est un paysage choisi" - Paul Verlaine. Visit the VISI paysage for 10 days of masterclasses, diction, dramatic recitation, poetry analysis and cultural history in the fascinating realm of Debussy. Other repertoire areas will also be studied. Explore the essence of expressive style with great experts in a welcoming and inspired ambiance for in-depth learning. (more)
Arts of Conscience
June 11-16
Artists in diverse disciplines
"Our world does not need more soldiers, it needs more artists" - Senator Roméo Dallaire
An intensive 6-day workshop for artists interested in the burgeoning field of Art for Social Change. Guided by leading artists in this global movement, participants will be led through diverse experiential activities, exploring the possibilities for their art practice in the service of social transformation. Topics include Cultural Diplomacy, Arts in Conflict Prevention, and Art Therapies.
Art Song Lab
June 2-8
Composers and Poets
"A tremendous event - the wide-ranging events were fantastic and provided a unique perspective – a tremendously positive experience”.
In association with the Canadian Music Centre, VISI hosts an intensive mentorship program for poets and composers interested in the collaborative process of Art Song creation, interpretation, and performance. A rare opportunity to collaborate on new works in preparation for performance by VISI faculty, and to dialogue in depth with other composers, poets, translators, and performers about the challenges of interpretive practice and performance of new song. (more)
Voice, Piano, Musicology, Music Theory
Professional VISI Visitors
"I feel inspired enlightened, reinvigorated, encouraged with a new sense of belonging, and I return to my teaching with new ideas and renewed passion."
The pedagogical community is warmly invited to participate as auditors in all VISI sessions. Explore the new parameters of study and performance practice, enjoy the dynamic courses in poetic and music analysis, participate and network in the open collegial discussion environment. Create a self-designed program of lectures and classes and engage Art Song through its poetry, philosophy, history, dramatic recitation, theatre practices, music scholarship, psychology, as well as the traditional challenges of technical and style. (more)
Song Studies for Everyone
“I stopped playing the piano six years ago. After attending VISI, I suddenly sat down at a piano yesterday and started playing. I remembered the surprising intimacy of communicating with such a formidable instrument. I even breezed through technical exercises--with joy! The energy of this event is profoundly moving, and is still reverberating.”
Join the Art Song Party always going on at VISI. Discover the wonders of poetry and music fusion- and rediscover your own artistic passion. There are classes and lectures every day to which you're always invited! Join the learning circle or sign up for customized courses to be announced.
THE VISI 2012 FACULTY
The distinguished VISI Faculty of Artists, Scholars, and Researchers join us from across North America and Europe. To see the roster, click here.
The SONGFIRE Festival of Song
VISI presents a Festival of diverse Song performances at venues across Vancouver including UBC School of Music, Frederick Wood Theatre, The Orpheum Annex, The VSO School, The Silk Purse, West Point Grey United Church, and others. SONGFIRE lights the fuse for a month of stunning, soaring SONG! (more)
