This is an updated list of apprentice programs that train pianists (and whatever else I can find that pays and gives performing experience). These are specifically not summer gigs, which I've listed here.
Des Moines Metro Opera - OPERA Iowa Touring Group goes from Jan-April
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Clarification
Over the past few years, I have heard several people claim to attend concerts featuring 'Carmen Miranda'. I'm relatively certain they actually meant 'Carmina Burana', and would like to offer a brief example of the two for comparison.
Carmina Burana sounds like this.
This is Carmen Miranda.
Just sayin'.
*Additional Silliness:
Natalie Dee has several genius moments, including her recent impression of an American Carmen Miranda:
Friday, February 12, 2010
Two Collaborative Pianists Walk Into a Bar . . .
Among musicians, personality stereotyping is rampant. Whatever traits driving someone to choose say, the tuba, combined with quirks enabling excellence in the tuba, ultimately form a set of idiosyncrasies that are often, um, mocked. There aren't that many stereotypes about pianists, though, and I have yet to find anything for collaborative pianists/accompanists. After jotting down tendencies I've noticed, I realized they weren't really traits as much as weird learned behaviors, probably significant only to those familiar with the CP 'breed'. I've observed several pianists who tend to:
- Unconsciously cue entrances with a head gesture, sniff or deep breath
- Constantly rearrange sheet music to eliminate page turns
- Possess strong opinions on the 'use of plastic music protectors' debate
- (females) Often opt to yank one's hair back in an 'I-don't-have-time-for-this' ponytail
- Experience total glee upon discovering the IMSLP database
- Possess multiple music binders, toted in something the size of a suitcase with wheels
- Eat meals in bar form
- Wear engagement and wedding rings on a neck chain
- Maintain a strong affection for 44 oz caffeinated drinks
- Easily keep a straight face if a singer has forgotten their lyrics and begun scatting German
- Possess advanced photocopier skills
- Regularly agree to some piece or performance that is diabolically intricate or really inconvenient, then kick themself for saying yes
- Notice that 90% of male CPs specializing in vocal music are straight and married to a singer, or are gay
Sometimes I wonder about my own quirks, such as the tendency to:
- Keep a small, piano-friendly, crook-necked lamp (and extension cord) in my car
- Bring an empty 3-ring binder, 3-hole punch, scotch tape and highlighter to juries and auditions
- Keep a metronome in my purse at all times
- Suffer from recurring nightmares that I'm handed new music 20 minutes before a performance
Clearly, pianists just don't make good joke material. We'll probably never find out how many collaborative pianists it takes to screw in a light bulb. I did like this joke, however, which plays on the know-it-all nature of pianists:
A pianist and singer are rehearsing "Autumn Leaves" for a concert and the pianist says:
"OK. We will start in g minor and then on the third bar, modulate to B major and go into 5/4. When you get to the bridge, modulate back down to f# minor and alternate a 4/4 bar with a 7/4 bar. On the last A section go into double time and slowly modulate back to g minor."
The singer says: "Wow, I don't think I can remember all of that."
The pianist says: "Well, that's what you did last time."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Collaborative Piano Opportunities for High School
Credo Summer Program - string rep and piano
Interlochen High School Piano Summer Program - vocal rep, chamber music, piano
NYU Steinhardt The Art of Solo and Collaborative Piano - college prep, chamber music
Piano in the Pines at Stephen F. Austin State University
Green Lake Chamber Music Camp
Hartwick College Summer Music Festival
Madeline Island Music Camp - strings and piano
Midwest Young Artists Summer Music Festival - Chamber Music Workshop for Strings & Piano and Young Musicians Chamber Music Camp
Perlman Music Program Summer Music School
Piano in the Pines at Stephen F. Austin State University
Sierra Academy of Music Chamber Music Unbound
Tanglewood Young Artists Piano Program
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater Collaborative Piano Camp
Collaborative piano for high school students sounds a bit strange, but it is a great alternative to keep a talented (yet burnt out on solo rep) student from quitting altogether. A growing number of summer opportunities for young pianists are available. All of the following study collaborative piano to some degree:
Bravo! Institute - string rep and piano
Monday, February 1, 2010
Musical Theatre and Music Directing
Musician Wages.com is a great site in general, but I wanted to call attention to this article about musical theatre performing and music directing, Tips for the Piano-Conductor by Dave Hahn. It's rare to find actual written advice about the field, so I appreciate when professionals take the time to write about what they've learned through trial-and-error. Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)