NOVA ACADEMY'S VOCAL MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE COURSES

The more professional the performance level, the more one needs to know. Even though you have talent, and you've had a great audition and you've made the show -- when the director starts to work with you and you don't know what he/she's talking about, you are disadvantaged.

Professionals constantly refer to characters, literature and performers when preparing a performance. They will not take time to teach you the nuances that knowledge of musical styles and genres provide. They will simply not consider you for the next performing opportunity, nor will they recommend you to others. They want someone who is "prepared".

EXAMPLE A -- You want to audition for a musical, and you need to sing something by the show's composer -- but not from the show you're auditioning for. Do you know what to sing?

EXAMPLE B -- You are at an audition, and the director says, "This time, can you give me a little Maurice Chevalier? Ethel Merman? Nelson Eddy? Durante?" Do you know who these character performers are?

EXAMPLE C -- There's an audition notice that says, "The ability to sing chanteuse style is required." Do you know what that means?

In musical theater alone, over 100 years' worth of American musicals are considered standard repertoire, not to mention French, German and English contributions of the 19th and 20th centuries. In classical vocal music, there is literature from eight centuries in a gamut of languages and styles available for performance. Foreign language diction studies are a must for anyone planning a professional career.

VOCAL MUSIC LITERATURE AND HISTORY

Overview courses survey the history of vocal music, designed sequentially to educate all levels of vocal interest, from amateur to professional. Weekly classes place emphasis upon classical vocal literature. Examples of literature include video and audio recordings, so although some handouts are provided, notetaking and recording of the classes is encouraged.

INDEPENDENT STUDY - VOCAL MUSIC LITERATURE

Pursuant to individual interests, coursework in classical vocal music may be arranged with instructors. Development of innovative projects is encouraged, utilizing a network of academics and professionals in the Northeast Ohio area.

(By the way, The Lied and Art Song Texts Page is a wonderful resource for translations. The Lied and Art Song Texts Page is an archive of 18,197 texts used in Lieder and other classical Art Songs (Kunstlieder, Mélodies, Canzoni, Romansy, Canciones, Liederen, Canções, Sånger, Laulua, etc.) as well as in many choral works and other types of classical vocal pieces. The collection currently includes 28,667 settings and 4,036 translations to English, Italian, Dutch, German, Spanish, French, and other languages.)

MUSICAL THEATER HISTORY SURVEY

Designed sequentially to educate all levels of vocal interest, from amateur to professional, overview courses survey the development of music theater. Weekly classes place emphasis upon specific literature. Examples of literature include video and audio recordings, so although some handouts are provided, notetaking and recording of the classes is encouraged.

MUSICAL THEATER HISTORY INDEPENDENT STUDY

Pursuant to individual interests, coursework in musical theater repertoire may be arranged with instructors. Development of innovative projects is encouraged, utilizing a network of academics and professionals in the Northeast Ohio area.

Literature.org is a free resource for on-line books, plays and more, especially informative for those taking independent studies.

A WORD ABOUT FIELD TRIPS

Vocal performers need to observe live professional vocal performances. As opportunities arise, arrangements will be made for students to attend performances by community performing groups, as well as nationally known performers.

While the best experience is doing, the next best experience is watching a professional performing live! NOVAA will attempt to obtain student-rate tickets for as many area performances as possible. Costs for admission to field trip events are not included in course fees. At this time, transportation costs are not included in course fees; however, an "open car-door" attitude by parents and patrons for helping students gain valuable experiences will be appreciated!

Non-students interested in attending Northeast Ohio Vocal Arts Academy's field trips but are not currently enrolled in a course should email NOVA Academy for current offerings.