3rd Annual
Interdisciplinary Song Scholarship and Performance Program
• Scholars, Singers, and Pianists •
Scholar residency: 4 – 13 June 2012
For graduate students (master's, Ph.D.) and advanced undergraduates in music theory, musicology, music history, and Germanic studies
Performer residency: 4 – 18 June 2012
For graduate-level (master’s, D.M.A.) and advanced undergraduate singers and pianists
A barrier-breaking intensive study program for scholars and performers of art song – a wide-ranging, top-notch faculty – opportunities for individual mentorship and concert performance – all against the backdrop of Vancouver’s stunning landscape.
Faculty will include:
Musicology
SUSAN YOUENS (University of Notre Dame)
MICHAEL MUSGRAVE (Juilliard School)
BENJAMIN BINDER (Duquesne University), Program Director
REBECCA PLACK (San Francisco Conservatory)
Music Theory
DEBORAH STEIN (New England Conservatory), Theory Director
HARALD KREBS (University of Victoria)
RICHARD KURTH (University of British Columbia)
Performance
CAMERON STOWE (Juilliard School, New England Conservatory), Performance Director
Coachings with SIR THOMAS ALLEN and other distinguished VISI performance faculty
Germanic Studies:
SHARON KREBS
The Vancouver International Song Institute invites graduate-level and advanced undergraduate students and all those interested in art song to participate in its 2012 Interdisciplinary Song Scholarship and Performance (SSP) Program. SSP is a collaborative seminar in which singers, pianists and an interdisciplinary array of academics work together in an environment that dissolves the boundaries between scholarship and performance. The program was developed in 2010 by musicologist and pianist Benjamin Binder, and former faculty include superb scholars such as Richard Kramer and Kristina Muxfeldt. Returning for 2012 are music theorists Harald Krebs, Richard Kurth, and Deborah Stein, along with collaborative pianist and coach Cameron Stowe and other VISI performance faculty. We are also pleased to have esteemed song scholar Susan Youens and Brahms expert Michael Musgrave with us this summer.
In this program, music historians, music theorists, and scholars of German poetry and culture will have the opportunity to work intimately with singers and pianists, and vice versa. We will share our ideas through lectures, master classes, seminar workshops, coachings, and personalized mentoring sessions, all the while making valuable professional connections. Student scholars and performers will also put their ideas into practice by collaborating with each other in a lecture recital and a final concert performance.
The thematic focus of SSP 2012 is on the songs of Johannes Brahms and Hugo Wolf. In addition, we will explore other repertoire and topics within the art song universe, depending on faculty and student interests.
“I had an extraordinary time at VISI. The faculty and students created an entirely unique environment for enjoyable, deep, and sustaining conversations about ways of understanding song. My expectations were exceeded along every boundary. From the level of engagement and energy, to the integration of musicology and performance, to the warm and welcoming spirit of the whole program, VISI is a new model for the exploration of the arts.” – Jonathan Boschetto, Ph.D. candidate in musicology, Princeton University
Some highlights of the program:
• Attend lectures and masterclasses on art-song related topics by SSP scholars and performance faculty.
• Participate in the Scholarship and Performance Seminars, where we combine musicological and analytical study of selected repertoire with live performance in an interactive workshop setting.
• Receive one-on-one mentoring and feedback on your research work and your academic career from the SSP scholarly faculty.
• Have coachings with VISI performance faculty as well as SSP musicologists and theorists.
• Design and present a lecture recital: student scholars and performers will exchange historical, critical, analytical and practical ideas as they team up to create an interpretive vision for a set of art songs to be performed in concert.
• Singers and pianists will also have the opportunity to perform in a formal evening recital of Brahms and Wolf extensively coached by VISI and SSP faculty.
• Enjoy full access to all concurrent VISI activities, including concerts, lectures, masterclasses, and other sessions.
• 3 masterclasses during ASL 2012: one by composer Imant Raminsh, one by poet Betsy Warland, and one by the team of Leslie Uyeda and Lorna Crozier.
To see a detailed daily schedule of classes, lectures, seminars, and concerts from SSP 2011, please click here.
More testimonials from former SSP faculty and students:
“It isn’t often we find ourselves in the company of so many others who share our passion for ‘art song.’ SSP is a dream program for any doctoral student working on a thesis in this area. Beyond the intellectual and artistic riches VISI offers, this is a wonderful opportunity for scholars and performers to forge connections that will serve them well for many years to come.” – Kristina Muxfeldt, Associate Professor of Musicology, Indiana University
“I think it is not an exaggeration to say that we all learned greatly from one another, that each song brought to the surface important questions of interpretation and meaning. In brief, this was a rare and stimulating experience for all of us. SSP is a unique program, an invaluable asset to those of us who care deeply about song, and a unique resource for young singers and pianists.” – Richard Kramer, Distinguished Professor, CUNY Graduate Center
“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. Everyone involved provided warm encouragement and friendly interpretive exchanges that brought us closer together each day with fresh creative ideas, renewed enthusiasm, and love for song and making music. The network of connections and the sincere bond that the SSP members were able to establish in such a short time is proof of the festival’s power to influence personal and professional lives in significant and enduring ways.” – Loretta Terrigno, Ph.D. candidate in musicology and music theory, CUNY Graduate Center
“Working so closely with such a renowned faculty for two weeks was almost surreal. We were privy to a side of the faculty that students almost never get to see: in our seminars the professors shared with us their new and current work, allowing us to observe a part of their process as scholars and to engage in a discussion about this work as equals. Throughout these two weeks, I was exposed to such a unique setting and such a dedicated faculty that I know this experience will be invaluable to my academic career. I cannot think of another summer program that offers something like this.” – Chantal Lemire, M.A. candidate in music theory, University of British Columbia
Fee, Housing, and Application information:
Tuition:
$400 scholars; $600 performers + $50 application fee. Partial scholarships may be available. While we strongly encourage participants to attend for the full session, applicants may inquire about shorter stays at pro-rated fee.
Auditors may attend at the regular drop-in or weekly VISI rates. Please click for detailed auditor pricing.
On-campus housing is available at reduced rates. For general housing information, please click here.
Application:
Deadline: 1 March 2012Please click here to access registration process.
Required application materials for SSP:
Compile and submit application materials to visi.ssp.2012@gmail.com.
