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Mid-Century Modern choral music led by James K. Bass, April 25-28. Get Tix

Professional Choral Institute

Professional Choral Institute

Program Dates:

August 6-20, 2023

Tuition:

  • Vocal Chamber Music – $1,400
  • Choral Conducting Masterclass – $2,500

Number of Spots:

  • Vocal Chamber Music – 30
  • Choral Conducting Masterclass – 2

Application Deadline: 

2023 applications opening soon.

Program Description

Seraphic Fire’s Professional Choral Institute (PCI) at the Aspen Music Festival and School offers intensive performance and masterclass programs for singers and choral conductors designed to prepare students to work in the professional choral music industry. All participants will sing as members of the GRAMMY®-nominated Professional Choral Institute Chorus (2012, Best Choral Performance, Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem), and will sing side-by-side with the professional members of Seraphic Fire in both rehearsal and performance.

PCI is one element of Seraphic Fire’s multi-pronged education initiatives designed to create a pathway for students from all walks of life to discover the joy of singing and train for a career as an ensemble singer. PCI students have gone on to be hired professionally for Seraphic Fire and other top choral groups, or furthered their pre-professional training in Seraphic Fire’s Ensemble Artist Program at UCLA, demonstrating that the program can serve as a career catalyst.

The PCI Vocal Chamber Music curriculum, designed for upper-level undergraduate, graduate-level, pre-professional, and early career professional singers, will emphasize small-ensemble skills, performance practice, sight-reading, repertoire, and musicianship. Singers in the Vocal Chamber Music program will participate daily in reading and repertoire sessions, rehearsals for public performance, chamber music coachings with Seraphic Fire faculty, and the three-week Vocal Masterclass program. This program touches on topics from performance of baroque and early music to audition and resume workshops. Vocal Chamber Music participants will have sessions and coachings with Seraphic Fire faculty, focused on technique and performance style. A maximum of 30 student slots are available.

The PCI Choral Conducting Masterclass is aimed at advanced graduate students and early- to mid-career professional choral conductors who aspire to a music director position with an independent ensemble. Conducting masterclass participants will work with Seraphic Fire and the PCI Chorus in rehearsals, and will have the opportunity to lead the ensembles in public performance. Regular podium sessions will focus on repertoire and gesture, and will be recorded for personal and faculty use. Conducting Masterclass members will receive individual lessons and coachings from Seraphic Fire faculty. The daily Music Seminar will cover music preparation, score study, aural skills, programming, and the many musical issues dealt with by a professional music director. In addition, participants will join in the Entrepreneurship seminar, which will cover organizational administration skills (fundraising, marketing, budgeting, and interacting with a board of directors) that are essential tools of the modern music director. All conducting masterclass students also will sing with the PCI Chorus and participate in the small ensemble chamber music curriculum. There are two conducting slots available.

Application Requirements

Vocal Chamber Music

  • PCI applicants must submit the following repertoire IN THE ORDER LISTED on separate tracks. Recorded audition required for all applicants unless a live audition is scheduled.
  • VIDEO recording, including one aria by a baroque composer, and one other contrasting piece. (required)
  • VIDEO recording of scale(s) and arpeggios portraying the full range of the voice. (required)

Choral Conducting Masterclass

  • PCI applicants must submit the following repertoire IN THE ORDER LISTED on separate tracks. Recorded audition required for all Choral Conducting Masterclass applicants.
  • VIDEO (15 mins max) recording of applicant conducting standard choral repertoire, either a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment.
  • VIDEO recording of applicant singing their part from m. 21–38 of the “Et in terra pax” fugue of Bach’s Mass in b minor. All soprani should sing S1.

Scholarships

There are a limited number of merit-based scholarships and work study positions available through Seraphic Fire. For those interested in applying for a scholarship, two letters of recommendation are required.

Faculty

Contact

Professional Choral Institute
PCI@SeraphicFire.org
2153 Coral Way, Ste. 401
Miami, FL 33145