Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)
Young Artist Vocal Program (YAVP)

Summer 2012
July 1 - August 12
Ages 14-18

Directed by Phyllis Hoffman
Conducted by Ann Howard Jones

Auditions in Montgomery, Alabama
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 5-7 pm, Huntingdon College
To Sign up for an audition, contact BUTI at 617-353-3386 or tanglewd@bu.edu.
An accompanist will NOT be provided.

The Young Artists Vocal Program nurtures and encourages the development of gifted young singers in an intensive program geared toward professional studies. The curriculum provides training in the components essential for well-educated singers: vocal technique, musicianship, and performance. Alumni of the Young Artists Vocal Program are numerous among students in competitive music schools and conservatories. Winners of prestigious competitions, they are also successful professionals performing in opera, oratorio, and recital.

A Typical Day
8:00 am Movement or Acting
9:00 am Music History or Diction
10:00 am Chorus
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Voice Lesson or Individual Practice
3:00 pm Music Theory/Ear Training or Voice Class
5:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm Opera Scene Rehearsal
8:30 pm Concert at Tanglewood

Solo Singing and Training
Daily voice classes - taught by dynamic and eminent vocal pedagogue Phyllis Hoffman and alternately by master teacher Penelope Bitzas - emphasize vocal technique and performance practice. In addition, each student receives one weekly private voice lesson and a repertoire coaching from specially trained staff teachers.

Chorus and Opera
Each student sings in the Young Artists Chorus, conducted by Ann Howard Jones. A protégée of the late Robert Shaw, Dr. Jones is recognized for her expertise in conducting technique, rehearsal procedures, and performance practice. Daily rehearsals culminate in the performance of works representing a broad range of styles and periods, from Renaissance motets to twentieth-century choral masterpieces. The full chorus of 75-90 singers performs each season with Dr. Jones in Ozawa Hall and in the Koussevitzky Music Shed for Tanglewood on Parade.

Students are also assigned to carefully selected opera scenes. Each scene meets several times a week in musical and staging rehearsals that address the fundamental skills needed to be a successful singer-actor. Two opera - scenes - programs are presented during the final week of the program.

Musicianship
Equally essential for the development of young singers are the courses provided in music theory, music history, sight-singing, foreign language diction, movement, and acting. Students are placed in level-appropriate classes.

Master Classes
The program is enriched each year by frequent master classes.  Most recently, distinguished BSO guest artists Christine Brewer, Stephanie Blythe, Renee Fleming, Jane Bunnell, Marcus Haddock, and Heidi Grant Murphy met and worked with BUTI singers.  Master teachers, such as Phyllis Curtin, Penelope Bitzas, Sharon Daniels, Simon Estes, Jerrold Pope, and Judith Chaffee also offer classes during the program.

Collaborations
In recent summers, the Young Artists Chorus has performed in the Koussevitzky Shed with the Boston Pops under the baton of John Williams for Film Night at Tanglewood, and has also sung with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa and John Williams.  Collaborations with the Tanglewood Music Center  include performances conducted by Robert Spano, Craig Smith, and Stephan Asbury.

Audition Requirements

Vocalists are to prepare two solo songs, (one of which must be in English) presented from memory. Your audition must demonstrate good diction, accurate pitch, pleasing tone quality, some knowledge of breath control, and a concept of phrasing. Songs drawn from the baroque, classical, romantic, or contemporary eras will best demonstrate these capabilities. “Pop” tunes, jazz, musical theater, or rock are not acceptable.

You must provide your own accompanist.