Master Class with Brian Zeger.
Program for Singers
July 23 – August 13, 2012
Program Director
Kevin Murphy
2012 Facutly
James Conlon
Gerald Finley
Gertrude Grisham
John Henes
Stephen King
Malcolm Martineau
Denise Masse
Kiri Te Kanawa
Additional Faculty to be Announced
The Steans Music Institute is the Ravinia Festival’s professional studies
program for young musicians, providing participants the opportunity to study with
an internationally known faculty of performing artists and to appear in recitals
as part of the festival’s summer concert schedule. The program for singers
exists to promote the art of song, focusing upon the central repertoire of German
and French art song. Participants study with each faculty member, thus receiving
advice from a variety of musical traditions. Vocal study is available, and language
professors offer detailed study of each song’s text in addition to providing
diction coaching. The 15 singers selected for the program find a supportive, collegial
atmosphere as well as a distinctive international community drawn from around the
world. Many participants already have flourishing careers in opera and find the
luxury of total immersion in art song an experience that they wish to share, thus
helping to build new audiences for this rich and intimate repertoire.
Coaching with Edith Wiens.
Repertoire
Each singer accepted for the program must prepare at least five and no more than six groups of songs from the standard repertoire, such as one might perform on a recital program. Songs in English by both American and British composers or songs in the native language of the young artist (should that not be English, French or German) are encouraged. Final repertoire for the summer will be confirmed after acceptance in consultation with Brian Zeger.
Performance
Each participant has the opportunity to take part in formal recitals in Bennett
Gordon Hall. These Steans Music Institute concerts are scheduled before concerts
by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and other festival presentations, attracting large,
appreciative audiences. Informal performances for colleagues are also arranged.
Accompanists
Professional accompanists are provided by the Steans Music Institute.
Ravinia Festival Activities
Ravinia Festival is located on Chicago’s North Shore and runs each year from
late May through early September. All Ravinia events are open to Steans Music Institute
participants.These include outdoor concerts in the pavilion by the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra, often joined by distinguished soloists, and solo and chamber recitals
in Ravinia’s Martin Theatre. Ravinia’s programming includes song recitals
and other concerts with vocal soloists during the program for singers.
Performance in Bennett Gordon Hall
The Facility
The Steans Music Institute is located on the grounds of the Ravinia Festival in
the John D. Harza Building. All performances take place in the intimate, 450-seat
Bennett Gordon Hall, which has been praised as an acoustical gem by audiences and
performers alike. The Harza Building also contains teaching studios, practice rooms,
a library, a lounge and an audio/video control room furnished with high-quality
equipment for the recording of all events in Bennett Gordon Hall. The recordings
are immediately available for study and review after concerts and classes.
Application and Audition Requirements
- The two-step audition process begins with our online application on ArtsApp. Each applicant must submit electronic recordings, video preferred, covering the following requirements:
- One art song in English
- Two additional art songs of contrasting style and language
- One aria
- Selected applicants will be asked to attend live auditions. All applicants must specify two preferences from the following audition dates and locations:
- January 4 in New York
- January 5 in New York
- January 6 in Toronto
- January 7 at Ravinia (near Chicago)
- A pianist will be provided at the auditions, but you are welcome to bring your own.
- Applicants unable to attend the live auditions will be considered based on their recordings.
- Everyone accepted for the program receives a full fellowship covering all Steans Music Institute activities, dormitory housing, most meals and intercampus transportation. The only cost to the participant is transportation to and from Chicago.
- Application deadline: December 5, 2011
- Application fee: $70, payable by credit card or PayPal through ArtsApp
Email
steansmusicinstitute@ravinia.org
with any questions or concerns.