Master Class with Brian Zeger
Program for Singers
July 25 – August 18, 2010
The Steans Institute for Young Artists 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 Wieus.
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 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 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 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 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.
Participation
Acceptance is through live audition or by recording. The application fee is $60, and references are required. Auditions will be held in New York on January 6 and 7; at Ravinia on January 8; and in Toronto on January 9. Applicants from outside North America may submit a recording (download the application for details). CD or DVD format is preferred, but tapes may be sent. Applications for auditions in all locations must be received by December 7. Applications with recordings must be received by January 4. Audition time is limited and will be assigned in the order in which applications are received. Early application is recommended. Audition repertoire should include the sort of repertoire that is studied at the Steans Institute. Each auditioner must bring at least two songs of contrasting style and language plus at least two oratorio or opera arias, illustrating the singer’s understanding of various styles and command of French and German. It does not have to be the same repertoire that is offered for study during the summer. A pianist will be provided, but you may bring your own. Everyone accepted for the program receives a full scholarship covering all Steans Institute activities, dormitory housing, most meals and intercampus transportation. The only cost to the participant is transportation to and from Chicago.
Coaching with Malcolm Martineau
Program Director
Brian Zeger
Faculty
Iain Burnside
Gertrude Grisham
John Henes, Alexander Technique
Stephen King
Malcolm Martineau
Denise Massé
Edith Wiens
Email siya@ravinia.org with any questions or concerns.