Offerings

Private lessons, Vocal Performance Workshop, Elementary Chorus, CMC Chorale, Performance Class, Formal Recitals, Achievement program

What You Can Expect From Us

The Private Voice Program consists of a private lesson of either 45 minutes for advanced students or 30 minutes for beginner students. The Private Voice Program is structured to work with each individual student to meet that singer’s needs. The Program is structured to reflect our commitment to developing strong singers and performers. Students will receive 32 lessons during the year. During each lesson, the student will work on exercises to improve technical skills and learn repertoire which is appropriate for that student’s ability. Repertoire will cover classical as well as musical theater literature. All students are expected to learn and memorize songs in English and foreign languages with the goal to perform them in a yearly recital.

Students will give in-class performances. More advanced students with solos and students who have ensemble numbers may be invited to perform in the Performance Class or the formal recitals.

We treat the voice with great care. It is important to us that singers learn to use their voices in a healthy way that will allow their instruments to develop naturally. We do this by teaching age-appropriate repertoire and technique. Our goals are to develop technical knowledge of how the voice works and how to use it, develop musicianship, and train students to become confident and expressive performers. All incoming students will have an initial conference with the voice teacher. This is not an audition but an opportunity for the student and voice teacher to meet and determine the student’s level of voice training.

What We Expect From You

The Voice Faculty are committed to the success of our students and we ask for a commitment from them in return. Singers are expected to practice a minimum of four days a week. In addition, singers are expected to enroll and demonstrate progress in appropriate workshops and musicianship classes from the core curriculum.

Vocal Performance Workshop (VPW)

VPW provides an opportunity for students to gain performing experience both as soloist and ensemble singers. Repertoire will focus on classical vocal literature both solo and ensemble, musical theater and operetta. Each singer will rehearse ensemble music each week to prepare for a yearly recital. Students will receive vocal and ensemble coaching and study basic acting techniques and stage deportment. Singers must be able to sing in tune, one on a part, and be prepared to perform for one another in class. The course is open by audition or permission of instructor to students not studying privately at CMC, but enrollment preference will be given to those students enrolled in our voice program.

Elementary Chorus

The Elementary Chorus is open to students in grades 2-6 (who are able to read words). The ensemble will focus on the fundamental elements of music, including recognition of pitch and basic musical symbols, exploration of the differences between speaking and singing voices, vocal placement, posture, breath control, diction and embouchure.

CMC Chorale (Grades 7-12)

Duquesne University’s City Music Center understands the need for ensemble practice and performance in the musical development of the young artist. The CMC Chorale is designed to accommodate the growth of music students by teaching the following: Students will rehearse and memorize vocal selections in three- to four-part harmony for performance purposes. They will be instructed in methods of proper and healthy vocal technique, exercises and warm-ups geared toward building listening skills and development of good rehearsal habits. Additionally, students will engage in studies of vocal/music reading skills intended to reinforce lesson-based musical knowledge regardless of instrument background. Music will be selected each year based on the vocal distribution of that year’s enrollment.

Students will be introduced to methods of vocal diction, vowel and consonant matching, and proper articulation of text in English and foreign languages in an ensemble setting. The CMC Chorale will effectively prepare students for successful participation in vocal ensemble membership in a high school setting and into post-graduate studies.

Performance Class

The weekly Performance Class is part of the core curriculum. The purpose of this class is to give students even more experience performing in public. We often hear “I played perfectly at home, but I don’t know what happened on the stage.” No matter how well the piece is prepared, the mind may play tricks during a performance. To avoid unfortunate mistakes and memory slips students must learn how to focus, direct their thinking process to artistic goals rather than the notes, and most importantly to project confidence. I always tell my students “Doubt and criticize every note when you practice, but be the greatest on stage”. You can’t recreate the performance environment at home or even at your lessons because of the lack of an audience. This is why this class is irreplaceable for every performing student.

Formal Recitals

In addition to the weekly Performance Class, 3 formal recitals and 4 dedicated Suzuki Recitals are held during the year.

Achievement Program

City Music Center is proud to offer students the opportunity to participate in the Carnegie Hall and Royal Conservatory Achievement Program. This program is optional for all CMC students.

Please visit their website to learn more about the program.

Faculty

Bridget Steele, Chair
Jason Steele