Masterclass: From The Director’s Chair – with Jennifer Rodgers Beach

June 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Jennifer Rodgers Beach works with Masterclass 2012 student, John Ferri - by making him woo the ladies with his prepared piece of music (a medieval Italian love song).

Jennifer Rodgers Beach works with Masterclass 2012 student, John Ferri – by making him woo the ladies with his prepared piece of music (a medieval Italian love song).

We’ve heard from former workshop attendees, including two Masterclass students. Seems only fair that we also hear from the directors, don’t you think? Up first, our own very Fearless Leader, Jennifer Rodgers Beach.  

VCS: How do you, the director, prepare for a workshop?  

JRB: I have a general outline of what I want to cover. Then I put my trust in what I know and being present to what is needed and how the participants respond.

VCS: The big(gest) mistake(s) singers make are _____________.

JRB: Apologetic/judgemental/critical thinking while they are trying to sing!

VCS: The big(gest) mistake(s) directors make are _____________. 

JRB: Using negative reinforcement – it just shuts singers down and makes them afraid to make mistakes!

VCS: What is your favorite exercise to improve technique? 

JRB: Sliding notes.

VCS: What is your favorite tricks to improve sight-reading?

JRB: Actually sight-reading! AND finding patterns and home-notes to refer to.

VCS: What is your favorite memory from a time you took a vocal workshop?

JRB: My favorite memories are from leading them – when students have taken a risk to try something they were sure they couldn’t do. And the times when very personal moments come up and let their emotions be in the room with us.

VCS: I say Masterclass, you think ______________ .

JRB: Interactive learning.

VCS: A student comes without a piece of music for Masterclass – what do you make him/her sing? 

JRB: Preferably anything (the National Anthem, Jingle Bells, whatever!) because the setting really works for a song rather than just vocalizing. FAR FAR preferable for masterclass participants to have a piece – even if they just starting to work on it!

VCS: Your Masterclass students will probably be a bit nervous. Will you be?

JRB: Nope!  I love love love the masterclass setting and I trust that anything that needs to happen will happen!

VCS: What do you do when you’re nervous – no, “find a bar” is not an acceptable answer.

JRB: Breathe and communicate.

Now ya know…why we adore Jen. She gets that it’s terrifying to stand in front of a crowd. And she will not judge if you need a tissue, or sing Jingle Bells. (Although please, don’t. It’s just …. wrong in June.)

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Masterclass: Tell Me More, by Anonymous

June 18, 2013 by 1 Comment
Shy.

Image by Ollie Crafoord

Up next in our ongoing series about the upcoming vocal workshops, Anonymous responds to our questions. No not *that* Anonymous, just one of our regular singers who would like to stay unnamed, and we respect that.

We still have tickets available for the June workshop coming up this weekend, Saturday, June 29, 2013. 

VCS: What’s the difference between the Masterclass and the general class for you? 

A: For the Masterclass, we were instructed to prepare a song that we could work on for the class. I hadn’t realized that the Masterclass would be in front of the entire group and I was very nervous. After singing, Jen provided feedback and asked us about our own feelings about the experience and we sang parts of our song again with her instruction.

VCS: What did you get out of the Masterclass?  

A:  It gave me the experience of singing in front of a large audience.

VCS: Were you nervous?

A:  YES!

VCS:  What goes through your brain while Jen’s making you answer her questions? 

A:  I think Jen provided great feedback, as always, but I think I was so nervous that it was difficult to focus.

VCS: What was the audience like? 

A: The audience was very friendly.

VCS: Would you do it again? 

A: I think it was a worthwhile experience but I think if I hadn’t been so incredibly nervous than I could have gotten much more out of it. I think I would do it again, but it might be preferable to do in front of a smaller audience (e.g. the master class participants) rather than the entire group.

Stay tuned for more in this series, next up will be Jennifer Rodgers Beach – on nervousness. Because even directors get nervous.

 

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Choral Accompanist Position: VCS Is Hiring!

June 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

VCS is hiring. We are in need of an accompanist. Here is the short description (scroll down for a detailed description): 

The Vienna Choral Society is accepting resumes for an accomplished accompanist to start by September, 2013. The position provides piano support for the chorus’ rehearsals and performances throughout the season which is concentrated in the months of September to June. Compensation is competitive with similar positions in the Washington area. A degree in piano/accompanying or comparable training and experience is required, as well as versatility in a range of musical styles, and strong sight-reading and score-reading skills. VCS is a non-audition, member-based organization currently with approximately 80 voices. A regular season includes four (4) concerts and up to five community appearances and rehearsals are held regularly on Tuesday evenings in the Vienna area.

Resumes may be submitted via email to info(at)viennachoralsociety(dot)org or by mail to Jennifer Rodgers Beach, 21432 Chickacoan Trail Drive, Broadlands, VA  20148. Inquiries about the position may also be directed via email or by phone at 301-785-2221.

Resumes will be accepted through July 31, 2013 and interviews/auditions will occur through July and August.

Click here for a detailed description. 

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