Tenor Blaine Hendsbee: Master Class @ Queen's

Queen's University School of Music is pleased to welcome Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, Associate Professor of Voice at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. 

Dr. Hendsbee has sung often with virtually every opera company in Canada and has a repertoire of more than 60 roles, which span the entire operatic repertoire. He is as much sought after as an interpreter of 20th century operas as he is for his sharply etched portrayals of the great character tenor roles in the standard operatic literature. 

Recent Canadian performances include the title role in a concert version of The Tales of Hoffmann (Offenbach), the world premier of Erewhon (Applebaum) for Pacific Opera Victoria, The Magic Flute (Mozart) at the National Arts Centre, and The Emperor of Atlantis (Ullmann), which toured the Maritime provinces conducted by the late Maestro Georg Tintner. 

Dr. Hendsbee's video credits include The Making of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio (BRAVO), a film version of Bach's Coffee Cantata entitled More Than a Thousand Kisses (Prometheus Productions), and a new media video production of The Bald Soprano (PBS). His performances are often heard on CBC's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera. He is also a regular guest soloist with symphony orchestras from coast to coast. 

When:  Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Where: Harrison-LeCaine Hall, Room 124, 39 Bader Lane, Kingston, ON

Time: 1:30-3:30

This event is free to the Queens Community and the general public.  This master class is part of the mandatory studio class attendance for all undergraduate BMUS singers.

All are welcome!

RIP Dame Joan Sutherland

While the death of Dame Joan Sutherland is not breaking news, I felt I would be remiss if I did not post my tribute to one of the greatest voice of the 20th Century.  Her Queen of the Night was an example of her unique and powerful sound that has yet to be matched.

From the bottom of my soprano heart, I say thank you Dame Joan for your voice!

The 3rd Instalment of COAA

It was recently announced that The Canadian Operatic Arts Academy is accepting applications for its third summer of opera training.  Located at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario, the deadline application is October 28 with auditions in November.  They will be hearing singers in tandem with the Atelier Lyrique - training ground of the Montreal Opera.  They also announced:

We are also delighted to announce a new collaboration with the Istituto Musicale Luigi Boccherini of Lucca, Italy.  This partnership will create an academy in Lucca modelled after COAA beginning in 2011.  More details will be released soon.

Sounds promising!

Job Posting: Voice Instructor at Queens Conservatory in Kingston

This just in from the Queen's Conservatory of Music in Kingston, ON:

Queen’s Conservatory of Music

seeks a dynamic, part-time Voice Instructor

Queen’s Conservatory of Music (QCM) is a non-credit, community music program housed at Queen’s University School of Music. Since its inception in September 2007, QCM has quickly developed into a vibrant centre for anyone who has a passion for music.  QCM offers a wide range of educational opportunities to people from both Queen's and the greater Kingston community.

The ideal VOICE INSTRUCTOR will be comfortable working with students of all ages at a variety of levels.  Flexibility in teaching both the classical and musical theatre repertoire is required.  The QCM teaching year runs September through June, with possibility of extension into the summer months. The successful candidate will start at his/her earliest convenience, and ideally not later January 2011.  

Requirements

• Bachelor of Music degree with a major in voice performance or voice pedagogy.  
• Minimum 3 years teaching experience

Certification in specific pedagogical methods is an asset but is not required

Employment with QCM is contractual, as a casual staff position at Queen’s University.  It is not a faculty appointment, and it does not guarantee employment with Queen’s School of Music. Rate of pay is hourly, and commensurate with experience. Scheduling will be based on room availability, with a preference given to weekday after-school/evenings and Saturdays.

Applicants invited for an interview should be prepared to do a teaching demonstration, and discuss their pedagogical approaches.  Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and two references with contact information to:

Karma Tomm, Director 

Queen’s Conservatory of Music

39 Bader Lane

Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6

Please direct questions to Karma Tomm at 613-533-6000 x 79069 or tommk@queensu.ca. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY OCTOBER 22, 2010

INTERVIEW DATE: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2010

Canadian Opera Company gets street-cred on Opera Chic blog

Canadian Opera has made it to the pages/screen of opera blogger Opera Chic.

On occasion of Sondra Radvanovsky's Aida debut for the company's first production of Verdi's grand opera in 25 years, The Globe and Mail's Style section gets all fashion-y, proving that Canadians don't throw tuxedo jackets over Toronto Maple Leaf jerseys for opening nights (obligatory Canada/hockey joke).  

Go Canada - a hockey AND an opera nation!

Coloratur...aaah!

One of my favourite blogs to read is Coloratur...aah!  (yes, I've shattered glass!). A young up-and-coming coloratura soprano making it in Europe and now the US and incredibly, has been able to remain anonymous (to my knowledge) on the web.  I really love her direct, American candour about what it takes to be a singer and most recently, her rant about singing Queen of the Night.

...how many different ways can you freak a Koenigin out right before she has to sing DER HOELLE RACHE?! The ONE aria in the show that EVERYONE knows? and the REASON that we get hired for the role? ie- the PERFECT F's! Really? You want me to enter on a revolving what? And go into what trap door halfway through the aria? With dancers underneath me making noise with props that they have to use DURING the aria? Oh- awesome, because I just thought that you wanted me to sing it without feeling like I have to throw up. That would be nice.

Check her out because I know you will laugh out loud AND get a fresh perspective on this crazy business of being a singer!

Finding Scores the quick way

For someone who prides herself in being (somewhat) techno-savvy, I can't believe I missed the boat on this one!  A student came to her lesson yesterday with reams of music - nice, clean copies of Mozart, Chausson and the like.  When I asked her where she got it, she said "on-line".  Well, duh...why didn't I think of that? All that public domain music out there to be sorted and organized and, wait for it, Petrucci Music Library has done it for you! Here is what they have to say about themselves:

Our goal is to create a virtual library containing all public domain music, as well as music from composers who are willing to share their work with the world without charge.

The Petrucci Music Library also encourages the exchange of musical ideas, both in the form of musical works and in their analysis. Feel free to post your analysis of a particular piece on the "discussion" pages, or join our forums for interactive discussion with the community.

I'm sure you already knew about them but if you didn't, their web address is www.imslp.org  They will be your life saver when you can't get to the library!