A NEW Website

My new website has just been completed with links to this blog, my studio page, my bio and some recent recordings. I'm thrilled with the work done by Rachelle Porter of I Web Tech in Kingston, ON and hope you like it too!

As always, feedback is welcome!

Cheers!

Young Musician Competition in Belleville

Young Musicians Competition

June 27, 2010

Quinte Symphony - Young Musicians Competition for Instrument and Voice Sunday, June 27, 2010 Albert College Chapel, 160 Dundas Street W, Belleville COMPETITION SPONSORS: Quinte Symphony and The John M. Parrott Foundation We are pleased to announce The Young Musicians Competition for Instrument and Voice 2010. Deadline for applications is April 16, 2010 For an application form click here. For more information contact Ron LaVallée, Awards Coordinator at 613-968-7366 or rlavallee@quintesymphony.com. Please note, this competition is not open to the public.

Call for Applications: Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation for young Canadian opera singers

Support programme - 2010

1- Pre-selection

The projects, including the completed application form, a demo, a 8"x10" black and white photo and two letters of recommendation must be received no later than Thursday, April 1st, 2010, 5 p.m.:

The Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation

for young Canadian opera singers

c/o Sanpalo Investments Corporation

759 Square Victoria, 5th Floor

Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2J7

Information: margot@provencher.ca / 514-757-4060

Successful applicants will be advised of their participation in the final auditions in May.

Demo (on CD) with name of singer and selection with recording date and name of accompanist

3 selections with piano accompaniment only

2 opera arias, 1 lied or melody from 3 different eras and/or languages

Maximum length: 15 minutes

.

2- Final auditions

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

(In Montreal - starting at 10:00 a.m.)

Audition program

2 opera arias, 1 lied or melody

Candidates should have their own accompanist.

The program is not to exceed 15 minutes.

Jury

The jury is composed of persons who have a solid experience of the opera world. The decisions of the members of the jury will be approved by the board of directors of the foundation.

The Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation for young Canadian opera singers

Support programme - 2010

Objectives

To support the development and promotion of the careers of young Canadian opera singers.

Application procedure

The foundation’s application form must be completed. All questions must be answered.

A pre-selection, in April, by means of audio material will determine candidates for the final auditions to be held Wednesday, May 12, 2010 in Montréal, after which grants will be awarded.

The awards for the approved grants will be available (in part or in total) approximately two weeks after the auditions.

N.B. the majority of grants are of the order of $5,000

Admissibility

Conservatory or University graduates (singing studies)

Young professionals at the beginning of their careers

Age limit of 32 years of age as of March 31, 2010

Eligible projects

Musical and artistic support

Coaching

Singing lessons (additional training)

Acting (additional training)

Auditions

Transportation

Accommodation (up to $150 perdiem depending on the place)

Others

Recital/auditions gowns

Restrictions

Only one project a year can be submitted but a given project can include more than one element (for example, coaching and transportation for auditions).

Living expenses are not eligible.

Note

Grants are to be used only for the purpose approved of by the Foundation.

Copies of invoices can be requested.

Any change in plans must receive the Foundation’s approval.

For more information, please contact

Margot Provencher at margot@provencher.ca

Prairie Debut Calls for Performers

Prairie Debut Guideline and Criteria

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE: Completed applications for the 2011-2012 season must be post-marked no later than MARCH 1, 2010.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

Entering its 16th year of presenting, Prairie Debut invites established and emerging professional Canadian world and classical musicians to apply to tour in the 2011-2012 season. This is an exciting opportunity for artists to perform in communities throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta under the auspices of Prairie Debut.

Applicants:

May be individuals or small ensembles;
Must be a Canadian citizen, or satisfy the requirements for Canadian resident, according to requirements of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Must view the discipline as a vocation and be recognized as professional in their artistic discipline by their peers.

How Do I Apply?

Applications must include 4 copies of each of the following:

• Completed Application Registration Form [Download PDF]
• Professional quality CD and if possible a performance DVD. The submitted repertoire must include at least 3 contrasting works (concerto works are not accepted)
• Press kit, including biography, current reviews and b/w photo
• List of recent, current and upcoming performance activities
• Proposed repertoire for tour performances. All selected applicants will be required to include a Canadian work(s) on their touring performance programme.
• Technical requirements for tour performances (include instruments required, both those supplied by the artist/ensemble and those which must be supplied by the presenter (e.g. grand piano)
• Artist’s statement on audience development/education as related to proposed repertoire (300 words max.), must be prepared and signed by artist
• Artist’s goals and expectations for touring Western Canada (300 words max.), must be prepared and signed by artist
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The application will be evaluated by a jury process, with jurors throughout Canada, therefore all application requirements and number of support materials MUST be included in proper multiple copies.

Artists must be available to Showcase at a minimum of one of the following Provincial Contact events:

Alberta, October 22 – 24, 2010 in Red Deer AB
Manitoba, 15 – 17, 2010 in Dauphin MB
Saskatchewan, Oct 22 – 24, 2010 in North Battleford SK
All applications will be considered but only successful artists will be notified of the final selections.

Upon receipt, all materials become the property of Prairie Debut and will not be returned following the conclusion of the selection process.

Selected artists will be notified no later than June 1, 2010.

Debut Atlantic call for Artists

Debut Atlantic
Call for Submissions
2011/12 Season

How to apply...
Applicants must be Canadian citizens, or satisfy the requirement for Canadian residency according to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Along with a completed Artist Application Form (available at debutatlantic.ca) each applicant must submit the following:
• A professional quality CD recording of three contrasting works (max. 30 minutes of music). CDs must be clearly labeled with the name of the artist/ ensemble, track titles, and approximate timings. Both studio and live recordings (depending upon the quality) are acceptable.
• A clearly labeled CD‐ROM containing your most cur‐ rent press kit (including up‐to‐date bio and recent hi ‐resolution b/w and colour jpeg photographs). If these materials are not available electronically, hard copies may be substituted.

Applications will be reviewed in accordance with the goals and artistic selection criteria of the organization, including:
• demonstrated excellence in chosen instrument;

• artists exhibiting a developing or established national/international profile;

• ability and willingness to collaborate with other artists;

• interesting and innovative programming.

Founded in 1979, Debut Atlantic is one of this country’s most dynamic and prestigious arts presentation and touring organizations. In fact, the Debut Atlantic tour has evolved into a much coveted opportunity for Canada’s emerging talented classical musicians. The impressive list of artists waiting to be added to the roster is a testament to our success as is the caliber of names which comprise our star‐studded compendium of alumni. The list includes some of Canada’s most recognizable artists such as pianists Jon Kimura Parker, Louis Lortie, and Angela Hewitt, cellist Shauna Rolston, Canada’s finest baroque orchestra Tafelmusik, and the world‐renowned tenors Ben Heppner and Richard Margison. Each season, Debut Atlantic presents five concert tours of the Atlantic Provinces. Four of these tours are for new or emerging artists and the fifth slot is reserved for one of our distinguished alumni to return and offer an Encore tour.

Submit all materials to:
Neil Edwards, Executive Director
Debut Atlantic
P.O. Box 3000, 5600 Sackville Street
Halifax NS B3J 3E9

All entries must be postmarked no later than:
Monday, March 15, 2010

*March 10, 2010: This just in...deadline has been extended to March 31, 2010*

Opera at the Olympics

Canadian super-soprano Measha Bruggergossman gave a fierce performance last night at the opening of the the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Dressed in a stunning, gold strapless gown, Measha filled the stadium with that VOICE.

The Olympic Anthem is be featured on the newly released album Songs of Vancouver 2010: Opening Ceremony Commemorative Album, available on iTunes and Chapters Online.

RCM does Clemenza di Tito - audition now!

This just in...

We are very excited to announce the upcoming auditions for our production of Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito. There will be four performances at the end of July with chamber ensemble, fully staged with sets and costumes. We are also announcing our apprentice program in conjunction with the main stage event. Please see the attachment for links and audition dates.

Canadian Mezzo Lauren Segal: A LAZER in Carmen

Canadian mezzo soprano Lauren Segal, a former Physics brain with a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, proves that sometimes a new approach to singing can be GREAT! Read her thoughts on singing and her career to date in the most recent UofT Varsity paper.

RCM Announces new FESTIVAL

This just in from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto:

It is with great excitement that we announce the 2010 Royal Conservatory School Festival, to be held at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning!

The Royal Conservatory School Festival provides music students of all ages and levels the opportunity to perform in both non-competitive and competitive environments, receiving constructive positive feedback and performance evaluations from highly qualified music teachers of the RCM community. We welcome students from any studio or school to participate in this festival.

Sunday, March 28th: Non-Competitive Festival: An opportunity for students to perform in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with no placements. Classes are available for all ages and levels. Also included in the non-competitive festival are classes for ensembles, where groups of differing styles and levels will have the chance to perform, receive feedback, and have an opportunity to hear other peer groups play.

Sunday April 11th & Sunday April 25th: Competitive Festival: Two days of classes will be held, during which time participants will have the chance to be awarded a Festival Prize at differing levels, which can be put towards study at the Royal Conservatory School for supplemental classes such as theory, world music classes and small and large ensemble opportunities.

Saturday May 8th: Royal Conservatory School Festival Gala: A selection of participants from both the non-competitive and competitive festival days shall be invited to perform at the first annual gala concert, to be held in the newly built Koerner Hall. All festival participants achieving bronze, silver, or gold levels in the festival will be awarded their prizes during the gala as well.
*All festival classes and the final gala concert are open to the general public.*

Full details and entry forms are available from our website – click on this link: www.rcmusic.ca/festival . Participants may submit their entry form to Registration & Student Services by mail, fax or in person by the application deadlines, after confirming their repertoire selection(s) with their teacher.

Please take note of the application deadlines: Monday, March 1st for the non-competitive festival, and Friday March 12th for the competitive festival. Should you have any questions please call Registration & Student Services at 416-408-2825. You can also email us your questions at festival@rcmusic.ca.

The joy of getting paid to sing...

It doesn't matter the day, the month or the economic climate, the fact that we are privileged to sing for a living. Here is mezzo Jennifer Rivera sharing her moment of joy after her Berlin Staatsoper debut this week.

Master Class in Kingston

Next week will be a busy week at Queens with a number of artsignite events. Everyone is invited to the Conservatory master class that I will be part of on February 13, 2010. Information is below!

QUEEN’S CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC PRESENTS

VOCAL MASTER CLASS

WITH ELIZABETH MCDONALD AND GREGORY BROOKES

This public master class offers participants and audience members alike a glimpse into the world of the professional singer. Queen's Faculty members Elizabeth McDonald and Gregory Brookes offer instruction and insight into the working methods of student singers of different ages and levels. Performance participants will be vocal students at Queen's Conservatory of Music, and repertoire will include works by Faure, Handel, Weill and Vivaldi. The session will conclude with an open "Question & Answer" period.

Saturday, February 13, 2010 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Free. Donations gratefully accepted at the door.

Room 124 Harrison-LeCaine Hall 39 Bader Lane, Queen's University

Ms. McDonald and Mr. Brookes will be performing at "Night in Vienna", sponsored by Queen's School of Music on February 12 and 13. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet the performers up close!

Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka sings MET Broadcast

The upcoming HD broadcast of the MET's Simon Boccanegra is being eagerly anticipated by the opera world as Placido Domingo takes on the baritone role of Boccanegra. Not alone on stage, Domingo will be joined by Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka in the role of Amelia as well as Marcello Giordani, and James Morris with James Levine in the pit.

In a recent interview, Pieczonka talks about the character of Amelia:

...I'm finding the role very satisfying. In fact, to me, Amelia is almost more satisfying than Desdemona and Elisabetta. She's strong, and featured a lot throughout the opera. Unlike Desdemona, who is only featured in isolated scenes, Amelia has a much bigger presence: she's a strong character in a politically charged story, she stands up for her man, and she risks compromising her relationship with her newly-found father. It's a tragic story since her father dies at the end, so she gains a husband, but loses her father, and I really get quite caught up in all the emotion of the opera. The gorgeous costumes are rich and opulent and I feel beautiful wearing them. The sets are lovely. In fact the entire production is beautiful, and everyone loves it. I'm very excited to be a part of it.

Check out your local theatre listings...apparently its sold out in large cities across the world BUT I know I'll get a ticket in small town Belleville! Come join me on Saturday at 1pm for the broadcast!

New look!

As you can see, I am in the process of creating a new look for the blog. While this work is still in progress, I offer this quote of the day:

An amateur practices until they get it right,

a professional practices until they can't get it wrong.

Back to blogging shortly....