Good and bad news in the land of Canadian Opera

I just read today about the situation at Ottawa's Opera Lyra.  Apparently they are so financially squeezed that they have had to cancel the remainder of their 2011-12 season - two full productions (of only four for the season) and thus laying off singers, stage managers, chorus, an orchestra, costumers, make up artists, and the list goes on.  In this world of constant cuts because of a depressed economy, is it any wonder that it would seem like a bleak outlook for young singers.

That all being said, on the opposite side of the coin (or the swing of the pendulum) are a whole new crop of young opera companies run by singers trying to provide opportunity to themselves and others.  I guess the old saying of "those that get the most help, help themselves" is true in this case.

So check out these upstarts for yourself...

Metro Youth Opera (Toronto)

Essential Opera (Toronto)

Wish Opera (Toronto)


Opera Kitchener (Kitchener)

The plethora of small companies in BC (and big, thriving ones too!)

Maritime Concert Opera (Nova Scotia)

I know there are MORE but these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head....feel free to add to my list here but...the moral of the story: for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction!

Tyler Duncan - get your $10 tickets while they last!

Canadian baritone Tyler Duncan is performing at the Glenn Gould tomorrow night (Thursday, October 27)...if you don't have your tickets, click here and use "vocal" as your discount code to get a $10 ticket!

From his website:

Mr. Duncan’s considerable gifts in the realm of art song have earned him prizes from the Naumburg, Wigmore Hall (London) and ARD (Munich) Competitions.  Frequently accompanied by pianist Erika Switzer, he has given acclaimed recitals in New York, Boston, Paris and Montreal, as well as throughout Canada, Germany, Sweden, France and South Africa.   He was also winner of the 2010 Joy in Singing Auditions in New York, the 2008 New York Oratorio Society Competition, 2007 Prix International Pro Musicis and the Bernard Diamant Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts.   He holds music degrees from the University of British Columbia; Germany’s Hochschule für Musik (Augsburg) and Hochschule für Musik und Theater (Munich).  He is a founding member on the faculty of the Vancouver International Song Institute.

Hope to see you there!

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

Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation for Young Canadian Opera Singers

For immediate release to young Canadian opera singers:

The Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation for Young Canadian Opera Singers
Grants Program 2009

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 May, by means of audio material will determine candidates for the final auditions to be held Friday, June 12, 2009 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, 2009

Eligible projects
Musical and artistic support
Coaching
Singing lessons (additional training)
Acting (additional training)
Auditions
Transportation
Accommodation (up to $150 per diem 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.

Deadline
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 5 p.m.

For more information and to receive an application form, please contact Margot Provencher at margotpro@videotron.ca

A new year brings new posts

Welcome to 2009! A new year with new ideas, new events and a re commitment to keeping up-to-date on teaching advances and information, events, programs and Canadian opera singers.

I will continue the undergraduate music program theme for another few weeks and will go across the county starting in the west with the University of British Columbia then the University of Manitoba. From there I will jump east and look at Mount Allison University then come back to the "centre" (don't hate me westerners!) with the "big three": McGill University, University of Toronto and University of Western Ontario.

I'll finalize the overview with a post of links to ALL the programs in Canada for future reference.

So...up next is UBC!

Keyboard Skills for Singers

I recently had a student who was having some difficulty practicing because she has poor piano skills. I doubt that I am the first teacher to encounter this issue (nor will I be the last!). Despite our best efforts, it is sometimes difficult to convey the importance of keyboard skills to young singers. Spending time in the lesson to improve practice habits is necessary but giving piano lessons on top of the voice lesson just doesn't seem practical.

Here is a tool that could be helpful for that beginning student in learning the piano via the internet (imagine!). LA based singer and teacher Ariella Vaccarino has created a number of products for singers but the most exciting (and free) product is her explanation of broken and solid chords and how to "warm up" at the piano.

Lesson 1 is the longest and outlines major chords:



Lesson 2 adds the octave:



Lesson 3 is an overview of 5 finger patterns:



Lesson 4 combines everything: