Choral Arts Academy (CAA)
St. Mary's College of Maryland
July 8-19, 2013
Fostering the Independent Choral Artist
for current high school students through graduates
About the Academy
Ensemble Experience:
As a learning experience focused on the performance of choral music, our students will have intensive training in vocal technique (both ensemble and solo), movement, stage presence, and the artistic and directorial aspects of creating a performance. We know that singing in large and small ensembles offers very different and unique challenges and experiences, and so we have created this academy with both opportunities in mind. Small ensembles will focus on intimate performance styles and practices, while the large choir will focus on the classic choral style, with orchestral accompaniment in a final performance at the end of each week.
Additional Musical Experiences:
In evening workshops, our students will receive solo vocal training, complete with expression, movement, foreign language diction, projection technique, and experience in the audition process. The student will leave the academy with at least 1 memorized aria or art song in a foreign language, a much greater understanding of the vocal practice, and more confidence as a solo performer. There will be daily voice classes that will focus on pedagogy and vocal health. Other interest-based workshops will include music-theatre performance and acting, text expression, and conducting. There may also be various guest speakers and conductors coming on an availability basis.
Performing Experiences:
The ensembles will have daily rehearsals and will perform both on campus. Small ensembles will rehearse and perform in the newly constructed chapel in Historic St. Mary’s City. At the end of both weeks will be a major performance of the full ensemble, the first week’s featuring a program in combination with the Chesapeake Orchestra in the River Concert Series.
Recreational Experiences:
We also will take full advantage of the school’s natural and social environment, and immerse the students in campus life at St. Mary’s. The atmosphere of our campus, conducive to solitary contemplation and reflection, is also strongly community-based and congenial, with a beautiful pastoral essence about it in the river and large areas of grass and trees. While living full-time on campus, the students will become acquainted with the campus and will be allowed free range of the recreational facilities like the waterfront, the Frisbee golf course, and other supervised group activities.
Our Staff:
The staff will consist of two collegiate directors, four high school choral directors from the area, two accompanists, and up to five college intern directors. The college intern directors will be St. Mary's College of Maryland music students who will serve as RA’s and mentors, and will assist in the directing of the small ensembles.
