Spend two weeks living, singing, and studying in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

July 6 - July 19, 2008
Florence, Italy

Westminster Chamber Choir, Italy is a two-week professional level mixed choral ensemble that will bring together young choral and vocal artists to explore new works as well as music from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque. The Chamber Choir, under the direction of Joe Miller, will perform concerts in Florence and Tuscany and will rehearse in the heart of Florence at the American Church. Classes in Art/Music History will focus on Italian works and will include excursions to some of the major museums in Florence. Singers will be able to receive private conducting lessons throughout the two weeks.
 

Cultural Excursions

Cultural excursions in Florence and the surrounding region will be part of the two-week experience. Singers will be giving the opportunity to travel to surrounding attractions in Tuscany.

Click here to download the brochure.

Application

Click here to download the application.  Applicants will be notified of acceptance by end January, 2008.  Deadline: Postmarked December 1, 2007 or until filled.

Complete application form
Recording of solo performance. The CD should include:
Prepared solo: The music should be an aria from the Baroque period (i.e. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Buxtehude) and may be taken from opera, oratario, or other choral works.
Range test: The singer should begin in the middle of the range and vocalize a single scale to the top of their comfortable range. This should be followed by beginning in the middle of the range to the lowest note.
Prepared choral excerpt: Sing the final nine measures of Poulenc's Timor et Tremor acappella. The excerpt should be sung in Latin with the quarter note equaling approximately 60. The applicant may sing either note of the divisi. The excerpt is available here.
 
Artistic Faculty

Joe Miller, Artistic Director/Conductor
Dirk Garner, Conducting Fellow (Oklahoma State University)
Mitos Andaya, Conducting Fellow (University of Georgia)
Amanda Quist, Conducting Fellow (University of North Texas)
Eugene Rogers, Conducting Fellow (University of Michigan)