Youth and Adult Studies: Feel the Encouragement
  • Youth and Adult Studies
  • Concerts
  • Give to NEC
  • Alumni
  • College Admission

NEC Summer School: College/Adult Courses

Institutes | College/Adult Courses | For Young Performers | General Information
Forms and Registration | Contact Us

Opera and Voice


School of Continuing Education Opera Studio
Daniel Wyneken, chair & music director
Janice Giampa, stage director
June 9-28 (twelve meetings)
First meeting: Monday, June 9: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, Thursdays June 10, 12, 17, 19, and 24: 6:30-9:30pm
Saturdays June 14, 21: 10am-1p.m.; 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Dress rehearsal: Thursday, June 26: 6:30 p.m.
Performances: Fri, Sat, June 27, 28, 8:00 p.m.

The SCE Opera Studio offers an exciting opportunity for serious singers to receive operatic training. Sessions include movement and acting classes, audition techniques, aria stagings, musical coachings and scene preparation. The course concludes with two public performances at NEC, Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, at. 8:00 p.m. Auditions: Sunday, May 18, 2:00-5:00 p.m. or by appointment; two memorized arias are required. Call 617-288-8177 for more information and an audition time.

2 SCE credits: $1000
Full participants (Non-credit): $840
NEC College students: $660
Auditors (Non-credit): $325

(Note: Auditors are invited to observe all class activities, rehearsals, and performances. They are not given scene assignments, however, and do not perform.)

return to top


Sight-Singing for Singers
Mark Lee
June 9-July 28(eight meetings )
M: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Singers who understand staff notation and can easily sing basic rhythms and find pitches on the keyboard are systematically taught to develop their sight-singing skills. Students are given regular drills in recognizing and singing all intervals; they also become fluent with all key signatures, learning to sight-sing accurately in all major and minor keys. Students are expected to attend class regularly and spend two to three hours a week in outside-class preparation. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor; please call 781-397-6825.

1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355

return to top


Lyric Diction for Singers I: The IPA, English and Italian Diction
Eve Budnick
June 9-July 2 (eight meetings)
MW: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

For singers and coaches. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and its application to the performance of English and Italian song. Classes include written, spoken and sung exercises; the course concludes with a short in-class performance for students and invited guests. No prior diction study is required. Required text: Joan Wall, International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers; also recommended: Joan Wall, Diction for Singers.

1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355

return to top


Lyric Diction for Singers II: The IPA, German and French Diction
Eve Budnick
Schedule TBA (eight meetings: two per week)
First meeting: Tu, June 10, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

A study of German and French diction using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and its application to the performance of melodié and chanson. Classes include written, spoken and sung exercises, one-on-one coaching, and (size permitting) a final in-class performance for invited guests. Those unable to attend the first meeting should contact the instructor at eve@vocalrep.org or 508-651-2115. Prerequisite: Lyric Diction I or permission of the instructor. Required text: John Moriarty, Diction; also recommended: Joan Wall, International Phonetic Alphabet for Singers.

1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355

return to top


Voice Class
Mark Lee
June 10-July 29 (eight meetings)
Tu: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This course introduces the principles of good singing: posture, breath support, tone production, singer's diction and resonance. Students apply their knowledge by preparing songs of their choice and performing them in class, where they are coached by the instructor. Ideal for singers who wish to understand and strengthen their singing voice in a class setting that focuses upon increasing their confidence and enjoyment. Prerequisite: Call the instructor at 781-397-6825 for a placement interview.

1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355

appropriate for adults with general music background

return to top


Voice Class for Men
Mark Lee
June 11-July 30 (eight meetings)
W: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This Voice Class is designed specifically for the needs of the male singer. Through group processes and individual coaching, we will learn key skills for creating and sustaining a handsome tone, gaining control of the "break," moving on stage, and singing in a variety of musical styles. For more information, contact Mark Lee at 781-397-6825 or at mlee@newenglandconservatory.edu

1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355

return to top


The Song Recital Workshop
Murray Kidd, instructor
Mana Tokuno, piano
June 23-July 16 (eight meetings)
MW: 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Final recital: Wed July 16, 8:00 p.m.

This class, now in its eighth year, will explore the amazingly rich and exciting repertoire of art songs, helping participants develop as performers, increasing their emotional communication and musical artistry. The material covered will include some of the most beautiful masterpieces in the art song genre, as well as favorites from the Broadway stage. College-age, post-graduate students, and high school students participate in this class: the inclusive nature of the course stimulates learning for all ages.

Each session will focus on performing techniques, diction, musicianship, communication, practice techniques and body alignment. the class is fun and supportive, encouraging everyone to experiment with new ideas. Students will perform twice during the session: the final recital, and a more casual performance half-way through the class. Each student will receive a CD of the final recital which will be professionally recorded. (In the past, students have used this for applications for colleges and other programs.) Prerequisite: teacher interview; Please call instructor (Murray Kidd) at 978-345-8387 by Monday, June 9, 2008. Note: Enrollment is limited to 8 participants;early registration is highly recommended.

1 SCE credit or non- credit: $580
Materials fee: $15 (to be paid with tuition)

return to top


 

Vocal Chamber Music
Mary Ann Lanier
June 24-July 10 (six meetings)
TuTh: 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Combine the thrill of being a soloist with the intimacy of making music in a chamber ensemble. Open to high school students and adult singers (instrumentalists are also welcome), this course offers an introduction to four centuries of literature for solo vocal ensemble (two or more voices with piano or instruments.) Students will study the subtleties of chamber music, learn to listen closely to their performing partners, and explore how to bring the printed score to life. Tailored to the interests and abilities of the participants, the course concludes with a concert. Literature is drawn from the works of Purcell, Brahms, Haydn, Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Fauré, Dvorak, Britten, Foster and others. Prerequisite: Call the instructor (617-629-2551) for more an informational interview before June 2, 2008 so that repertoire can be selected and distributed to participants before the first class meeting.

1 SCE credit: $500
Non-credit: $355

return to top


Vocal Performance Workshop: Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Styles
Celia Slattery
June 27-29 (three days)
Friday: 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10: 00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Final recital: Sunday, June 29, 3:00 p.m.

While building on the foundation of classical (bel canto) voice training, CCM styles - i.e., Jazz, Pop, Folk, Rock, Musical Theater, Cabaret --require a different approach to technique and unique stylistic considerations. This is an opportunity to work in a supportive group atmosphere on different aspects of your vocal performance including:

  • Vocal technique (utilizing Somatic Voicework™ the Lovetri method): learn to mix head and chest registers; how to "belt" safely.
  • Style and interpretation: learn styles appropriate to popular musical genres, and become a more expressive performer.
  • Performance coaching: prepare for musical theater auditions, club gigs, open mics etc. 

Prerequisite: previous vocal training or permission of the instructor. Note: Participants should come prepared with sheet music for three songs they know by heart, in their key. Accompanist provided.

Non-credit: $310

return to top