Vocal Ensemble @ Sibelius Summer Academy
Welcome to our summer study programme for vocal ensembles, taught by Theatre of Voices
The focus of the course will be on vocal ensemble repertoire in the Western classical music tradition. In addition to ensemble singing, the course will also offer seminars on related issues.
About the Theatre of Voices
Founded in 1990 by Paul Hillier, Grammy-award-winning Theatre of Voices is an internationally recognized Danish vocal group whose repertoire covers a wide range of genres and stretches from the earliest notated music to modern sound art installations and contemporary opera. Theatre of Voices performs at prominent international festivals, concert halls and opera houses such as the Teatro Real (Madrid), Palais Garnier (Paris), Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall (NY), Barbican Center (London), Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg), and Sydney Opera House.
Course description
The course will include coaching at the highest level with Paul Hillier and the four singers of Theatre of Voices.
Course repertoire will include the following:
- Early music: Italian madrigals & motets
- 18th and 19th century English glees & partsongs
- A contemporary work to be worked on daily by all singers attending the course, possibly involving a degree of improvisation
- Existing vocal ensembles are encouraged to bring their own repertoire
The course will also include seminars on themes such as:
- vocal fatigue
- managing an ensemble
- conducting and directing
- techniques for singing with microphone
- vocal improvisation
A typical course day is structured as follows (note that there may be a degree of variation).
10.30-11.30 Session 1
11.30-11.45 Coffee break
11.45-12.45 Session 2
12.45-13.30 Lunch break
13.30-14.15 Seminar
14.15-15.15 Session 3
15.15-15.45 Coffee break
15.45-16.30 Group session
Full attendance is expected.
Course fee
250€/participant
NOTE! The course is admission free for Sibelius Academy students
How to apply
Applications to the Vocal Ensemble @ Sibelius Summer Academy course are invited from existing vocal ensembles. University-level students of singing may also apply as individuals.
Applying as an ensemble
- Ensembles may be between 3 and 12 singers in size. The course is primarily aimed at ensembles that work without a conductor, but you may also apply if your ensemble normally works with a conductor. For groups of up to 6 singers who normally have a separate (i.e. non-singing) conductor, then that conductor is also welcome, but primarily as a listener. Larger groups (7 up to 12) with a regular non-singing conductor can also be accommodated, as long as they are willing sometimes to be led by a member of Theatre of Voices.
- You are invited to submit your own repertoire list. An outline of the repertoire should be included in your initial application. Theatre of Voices will choose works for the course from your list. A PDF copy of each piece to be worked on must be received 6 weeks before the course begins. You may also be asked to work on music chosen for you by Theatre of Voices, and all singers will be expected to sing in the “tutti” contemporary piece mentioned above.
- Applications are invited from professional-level and music-student ensembles. High-level amateur ensembles (whose members have taken singing lessons and who have experience of singing in good amateur choirs) are also welcome to apply.
Applying as an individual
If you are applying as an individual, please note the following:
- You should currently be studying singing as a main or secondary subject at university level, or be a recent graduate with equivalent skills.
- Acceptance to the course will depend not only on the quality of your application, but also on whether the organisers are able to place you in an ensemble.
- You will work with music chosen by Theatre of Voices.
Applications should include a 10-minute unedited audio or video sample of your singing (ensemble singing if applying as a group, or solo singing if applying as an individual). Current Sibelius Academy students who have completed a C exam in singing are exempt from this requirement.
Application period ends on 31 May 2022.
Accommodation
There are several options for student accommodation in the Helsinki region. You can find a comprehensive list of Helsinki hostels from Hostelworld.com. A range of Airbnb accommodation is also available in Helsinki. Hotel Helka nearby our Töölö campus also offers a 12% discount of the day’s price when using a code provided for the chosen participants.
There are several options for student accommodation in the Helsinki region. You can find a comprehensive list of Helsinki hostels from Hostelworld.com. A range of Airbnb accommodation is also available in Helsinki. Hotel Helka nearby our Töölö campus also offers a 12% discount of the day’s price when using a code provided for the chosen participants.
Contact information for this course
Sibelius Summer Academy is a summer study program offered by the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki. It offers young talents a chance to work and perform together with world-class teachers, artists and other students in an encouraging and inspiring international environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Sibelius Summer Academy is supported by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and the Wihuri Foundation.
The focus of the course will be on vocal ensemble repertoire in the Western classical music tradition. In addition to ensemble singing, the course will also offer seminars on related issues.
About the Theatre of Voices
Founded in 1990 by Paul Hillier, Grammy-award-winning Theatre of Voices is an internationally recognized Danish vocal group whose repertoire covers a wide range of genres and stretches from the earliest notated music to modern sound art installations and contemporary opera. Theatre of Voices performs at prominent international festivals, concert halls and opera houses such as the Teatro Real (Madrid), Palais Garnier (Paris), Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall (NY), Barbican Center (London), Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg), and Sydney Opera House.
Course description
The course will include coaching at the highest level with Paul Hillier and the four singers of Theatre of Voices.
Course repertoire will include the following:
- Early music: Italian madrigals & motets
- 18th and 19th century English glees & partsongs
- A contemporary work to be worked on daily by all singers attending the course, possibly involving a degree of improvisation
- Existing vocal ensembles are encouraged to bring their own repertoire
The course will also include seminars on themes such as:
- vocal fatigue
- managing an ensemble
- conducting and directing
- techniques for singing with microphone
- vocal improvisation
A typical course day is structured as follows (note that there may be a degree of variation).
10.30-11.30 Session 1
11.30-11.45 Coffee break
11.45-12.45 Session 2
12.45-13.30 Lunch break
13.30-14.15 Seminar
14.15-15.15 Session 3
15.15-15.45 Coffee break
15.45-16.30 Group session
Full attendance is expected.
Course fee
250€/participant
NOTE! The course is admission free for Sibelius Academy students
How to apply
Applications to the Vocal Ensemble @ Sibelius Summer Academy course are invited from existing vocal ensembles. University-level students of singing may also apply as individuals.
Applying as an ensemble
- Ensembles may be between 3 and 12 singers in size. The course is primarily aimed at ensembles that work without a conductor, but you may also apply if your ensemble normally works with a conductor. For groups of up to 6 singers who normally have a separate (i.e. non-singing) conductor, then that conductor is also welcome, but primarily as a listener. Larger groups (7 up to 12) with a regular non-singing conductor can also be accommodated, as long as they are willing sometimes to be led by a member of Theatre of Voices.
- You are invited to submit your own repertoire list. An outline of the repertoire should be included in your initial application. Theatre of Voices will choose works for the course from your list. A PDF copy of each piece to be worked on must be received 6 weeks before the course begins. You may also be asked to work on music chosen for you by Theatre of Voices, and all singers will be expected to sing in the “tutti” contemporary piece mentioned above.
- Applications are invited from professional-level and music-student ensembles. High-level amateur ensembles (whose members have taken singing lessons and who have experience of singing in good amateur choirs) are also welcome to apply.
Applying as an individual
If you are applying as an individual, please note the following:
- You should currently be studying singing as a main or secondary subject at university level, or be a recent graduate with equivalent skills.
- Acceptance to the course will depend not only on the quality of your application, but also on whether the organisers are able to place you in an ensemble.
- You will work with music chosen by Theatre of Voices.
Applications should include a 10-minute unedited audio or video sample of your singing (ensemble singing if applying as a group, or solo singing if applying as an individual). Current Sibelius Academy students who have completed a C exam in singing are exempt from this requirement.
Application period ends on 31 May 2022.
Accommodation
There are several options for student accommodation in the Helsinki region. You can find a comprehensive list of Helsinki hostels from Hostelworld.com. A range of Airbnb accommodation is also available in Helsinki. Hotel Helka nearby our Töölö campus also offers a 12% discount of the day’s price when using a code provided for the chosen participants.
There are several options for student accommodation in the Helsinki region. You can find a comprehensive list of Helsinki hostels from Hostelworld.com. A range of Airbnb accommodation is also available in Helsinki. Hotel Helka nearby our Töölö campus also offers a 12% discount of the day’s price when using a code provided for the chosen participants.
Contact information for this course
Sibelius Summer Academy is a summer study program offered by the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki. It offers young talents a chance to work and perform together with world-class teachers, artists and other students in an encouraging and inspiring international environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Sibelius Summer Academy is supported by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and the Wihuri Foundation.