Piano Program
Martin Katz in a private coaching with 2015 pianist Neilson Chen.
A one-of-a-kind summer intensive for pianists interested in vocal accompanying
The Piano program, along with the Professional singer program, have been SongFest’s signature program for the past twenty years.
Nowhere will you be exposed to more song repertoire, extraordinary teachers, and colleagues who share your passion at a higher level in a shorter amount of time than at SongFest: a one-month art song intensive that will expose you to new ideas of programming, repertoire, approaches to style, piano technique, coaching, vocal production and more through over 40 masterclasses with over 15 internationally esteemed faculty members.
“I have been very, very privileged and pleased to be here these past times. I find myself enormously encouraged to see this type of devotion and presence. This repertoire they would tell us is elitist, marginal, uninteresting, done-with, 19th century, kaput. You show us that as long as the human heart understands the conjunction of word and tone as amongst the most beautiful and extraordinary things that can exist in the world, as long as you are alive in this room, teaching, handing on to people younger than you, continuing to be, that this form will never die. I’ve given you a few pointers to try and keep it slightly more alive, but they are unimportant in comparison to your continuing love and commitment.”
2016 Pianist Taylor Hutchinson warming up before a master class.
Who should apply
Successful applicants (generally in their graduate studies, working on advanced degrees, or working professionally) demonstrate the technical and artistic ability to perform at the highest level in concerts and public masterclasses in a variety of languages and repertoire with our roster of internationally distinguished faculty.
APPLY NOW!
Sample Daily Schedule
8 - 9 a.m.
YogaVoice, Movement, Acting Class, Poetry Class
9:30 a.m. - Noon
Professional program "Signature" public masterclass (mandatory for all participants)
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
ALL BREAK/lunch/lessons/coachings
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Small group private master classes, Yoga, Voice classes, performance classes, rehearsals/coachings/lessons
4 - 6 p.m.
Small group private master classes, Yoga, Voice classes, performance classes, rehearsals/coachings/lessons
5 - 7 p.m.
ALL BREAK/dinner/lessons/coachings
7 - 9:30 p.m.
Concerts, performance classes, rehearsals/coachings/lessons
2015 Pianists after a concert.
2014 pianist Elena Fomicheva with professional singer Tiffany du Mouchelle.
“The entire international community of vocal music is very aware of its presence and its capacity to inspire excellence in all facets of a singer’s art.”
“What is the best summer music journey I have ever had?? What is my best memory?? The answer is SongFest 2015.”
“The legendary faculty SongFest hires is unparalleled in most other summer programs, which consequently brings in extremely talented participants.”
Find your next recital partners
Regular meetings and group discussions illuminate different career paths and foster a sense of camaraderie. Over the years, many participants have forged wonderful friendships that have led to collaborative projects: duo projects, recital tours, and concert series. Individual mentoring and private lessons with SongFest's dynamic coaching team are available upon request.
2015 pianist Gloria Kim after the performance of a world premiere commission by Anne Lebaron with (right to left) composer Anne LeBaron, Judy Cope of the Sorel Organization, and professional program singers bass-baritone Jesse Malgieri, and soprano Melanie Henley Heyn.