Students participate in an intensive three-week program offering a fantastic performing experience and training with the festival’s distinguished music faculty, comprised of many of the world’s renowned performers and teachers. A unique opportunity awaits students who are ready for professional performances and would like to perform in historic halls. Student and faculty concerts are given to enthusiastic audiences twice a day, in the afternoon and in the evening. Students will have a unique opportunity to attend a dazzlling array of professional festival concerts that inspire audiences of all ages.
The program offers standard repertory training for students of piano, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and voice; pre-formed chamber groups are encouraged to apply. Private lessons and chamber music coachings are led by the world-class international faculty. Orchestral program is offered for instrumentalists. Pianists have an opportunity to collaborate with other instrumentalists and singers. Our voice program offers individual instruction in voice and a series of public master classes with internationally renowned singers and professors. Singers at Orfeo have an opportunity to perform in concert for eager audiences a variety of genres including Lieder, arias, and chamber groups. Up to four opera scenes will be cast and prepared based on individual preferences of singers attending the program.
In addition to individual instrument/voice instruction, we continue to offer Chamber Music, Secondary Piano (for non-pianists), Collaborative Piano (for pianists) and Conducting Courses.
We offer three special new courses this season.
Secondary Piano course for non-pianists is offered by Prof. Irina Krivonos and involves individual instruction with emphasis on the thorough development of essential keyboard skills, technique, style, interpretation and repertoire accommodated to student’s individual level of progress.
“Orchestra Auditions Preparation” course will be taught by Zino Bogachek of Washington National Opera Orchestra. Students will explore excerpts from the standard orchestral literature, highlighting favorite audition materials of the major symphony orchestras. Each student will be given a list of excerpts and coached on how to prepare them. Emphasis will be on stylistic content, bowing, fingerings and challenging rhythms. Students will participate in mock auditions and receive feedback. The course will also address the mental aspects of successful auditions and the expectations of professional orchestras.
If interested, each student is scheduled to participate in a variety of chamber music, orchestral, and solo performances during the festival in concerts. Festival participants are advanced students from best conservatories and colleges of the United States, Europe, and Asia — some outstanding young musicians, devoted music amateurs and some aspiring active professionals. Students are encouraged to attend all concerts and take advantage of performance and master class opportunities. Orfeo Muisc Festival especially welcomes young music students to join Orfeo Pre-College Program. Orfeo Music Festival also offers a specially designed Adult Chamber Music Program during the festival.
Orfeo’s Health Program includes Yoga class and a new course, Psychology of Performance (see our “Health Program” page http://www.orfeomusicfestival.com/health-program/).
Orfeo Music Festival is offering German Language course as well as traditionally holds annual Art Exhibition and offers Art/Drawing Course.
Students must submit their Performance Repertoire Request after they are notified of acceptance. Notifications of orchestral repertoire, soloists, chamber music groups (on the basis of recording audition), are e-mailed to each participant six or more weeks before the festival. All student concert appearances are subject to faculty approval and at the discretion of the festival organizers. Chamber music groups will start performances after several days of rehearsals. Everyone has to arrive with their parts learned and ready for rehearsal immediately. Participants are expected to stay on the location for the duration of the festival, without absences.
Because of popular demand fantastic day trips are offered and will be available to select locations at extra charge (past trips have included Salzburg, Verona, Venice, Mahler’s summer house in the Alps and stunning Lake Garda). There is plenty of superb recreation in the area including hiking in the Alps.
