Introduction
The German for Singers and Vocal Coaches program integrates the study of German language, literature, and culture with the study and performance of German vocal music. This program is part of the curriculum of the German School of Middlebury College, which began its widely-acclaimed language immersion program in 1915. All students in the German for Singers and Vocal Coaches program are required to speak German at all times. This approach to language study, which makes use of Middlebury's Language Pledge, ensures that students will attain a high degree of language proficiency in a relatively short period of time. Inside this structured world, singers and coaches will gain some of the skills required to become professional artists.
Lectures and master classes, private coaching, and individual tutoring will complement formal classroom instruction. In a carefully structured environment of immersion in German language and culture, students will gain the skills and confidence required to become singing artists with German language proficiency and insight into the vocal repertoire of German-speaking cultures.
Master Classes in 2009 will be given by:
Carol Blaickner-Mayo, internationally active voice pedagogue/coach with studio based in Vienna, Austria. She has singers performing in most of the major houses of Europe and many US companies, such as San Francisco, Philadelphia, Metropolitan Opera, Dallas, Seattle, etc. For the past 28 years she has helped over 50 American singers, having arrived in Vienna after their formal training in universities and conservatories, to assimilate their "Vienna" experience in order to develop/perfect their complete palette of styles.
Russell Ryan, Vienna Musikhochschule Pianist;
Faculty member and graduate of the Vienna Musikhochschule; Pianist for the Wiener Singverein;
Current assistant and pianist for the Lied class of Edith Mathis; Appearances in Israel, Europe, Japan and the United States
Other highlights of the program include:
Transfer Credit: three Middlebury "units" (the equivalent of nine semester hours) of credit are awarded -- two units (six semester hours) for language study and one unit (three semester hours) for music. Students should check with their home institution to ascertain the amount of credit which will transfer, and what their home institution's process is for accepting transferred credits. The program has been directed since 1999 by James McDonald and Ruth Ann McDonald, former faculty members at Indiana University and at the New England Conservatory. Development of Expressive Singing: Daily work with German poetry and lyric singing diction will enhance the student's ability to perform the German repertoire accurately and effectively. Students will be expected to bring at least 3 memorized German Lieder or arias so that intensive work can begin immediately; more repertoire will be selected during the summer. Intensive Language Study: The course includes a language component of daily instruction in grammar and conversation at a level appropriate to each student's proficiency. The College's Language Pledge means that classes, performances, and indeed the entire range of culturally authentic activities students enjoy are conducted in German. Students will receive weekly voice lessons and coaching, participate in weekly performance classes, and attend regular master classes. State-of-the-Art Facilities: The Middlebury College Center for the Arts offers a modern, air-conditioned facility equipped with ample practice rooms, rehearsal and performance spaces, a music library, multimedia workstations, and a solid collection of books, periodicals, and scores for further study. Goethe Institute Proficiency Tests: Students at the third and fourth level of German will have the opportunity to take the Goethe Institute Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache or the more advanced Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung, recognized world-wide, at a reduced rate. Financial Aid: Applicants who apply by January 1 have the best chance for consideration for financial aid. However, not only need-based but also merit-based tuition reduction is available. Assistance is also available in the form of loans. Note: The German for Singers and Vocal Coaches program has a supplemental application for admission. Interested students should consult the Applications page for both the regular Language Schools and the singer's application.