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NEC Summer School: Institutes and Intensives
Estill Voice Training Institutes
Mary MacDonald Klimek and Charlotte Russell, directors
I: Compulsory Figures for Voice Control: Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13
II: Figure Combinations for Six Voice Qualities: Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20
The Estill method, developed by singer and voice researcher Jo Estill, teaches control of individual moveable structures in the vocal tract by means of "compulsory figures." Students learn about vocal physiology, how to isolate and control the structures, then combine the structural "ingredients" into "recipes" to produce six voice qualities: opera, belting, sob (a "crooning" quality), falsetto (as in the vibrato-less sound of some early music), twang (as in a role like Oklahoma's Ado Annie), and speech. Even students interested in only one genre will add variety and expressiveness to their sound.
Level I:This course provides an introduction to the Estill Voice Model, its development, philosophy, and an overview of all the structures and Figures for Voice Control. Practice sessions in small groups allow students to develop proficiency in the Figures under the supervision of experienced instructors, one of whom is a practicing voice therapy clinician. Each Figure produces a different "sound effect" in the voice; skills developed during this beginning experience with the Estill Model have direc application to the maintenance of vocal health. During open coaching sessions, singers may present pieces of their own choosing--ideally with problems to be solved. The weekend ends with a panel discussion on topics of student interest. This course is suitable for both beginning and advanced singers, voice teachers, choral conductors, and actors.
Prerequisite: None, aside from interest in the voice
Level II: This course begins with a review of the Level I Compulsory Figures for skill refinement, and then moves through discussion, training, and applications for each of the six voice qualities described above. With the structural control gained through Compulsory Figures, students learn to "mix" each of the arbitrary voice quality "recipes." The advantages, limitations, and risks of each quality will be discussed, as well as appropriate application to repertoire. Once again, there will be a focus on production in the context of vocal health. During open coaching sessions, singers may present pieces of their own choosing, focusing on mastering the elements of a new quality or exploring the expressive boundaries of using multiple qualities in a single selection.
Prerequisite: Certificate of Attendance from a Level I course in Estill Voice Training.
Auditors: Only those who have already taken the Level I and Level II courses may audit with advance permission of the instructors.
Schedule for both weekends:
Friday/Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Classroom presentations, practice sessions, and applications workshops.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Practice sessions, open coaching, and panel discussion.
Daily mid-morning and afternoon breaks (snacks provided); students on their own for lunch hour.
Registration: download a form from www.newenglandconservatory.edu/summer/forms_registration.html.
Note: Participants may register for Level I only, Level II only (see prerequisites above), or for both Levels I and II.
Tuition:
1 SCE credit: $500 per session
Non-credit: $355 per session
Auditors: $140 per session
Discounted tuition for I/II together: 2 SCE credits: $850; Non-credit: $605
Materials fee: Session I: $30; Session II: $25 (to be paid with tuition)
all plus $30 NEC registration fee