2014 Summer Master Class Information and Instructions:

Ancient Spirituality – Living Voices
June 30 – July 3, 2014
St. Tikhon’s Seminary and Monastery
South Canaan, PA

THREE LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION

  • CONDUCTOR
  • SINGER
  • AUDITOR

Conductors’ Audition Requirements and Video Recording Instructions:

There are four conducting openings in the Master Class.

  • Download the three Conductor’s Audition files. Click on the following links. Blessed is the Man, Opening Psalm, and Vouchsafe, O Lord.
  • Make a video recording of yourself conducting each of these pieces (straight through) in one of the following scenarios:
    • With an ensemble: in a rehearsal, service or concert
    • Without an ensemble: while singing quietly to yourself, showing the beat patterns and main entrances
  • Record one piece per file, compile files into a folder, name your folder with your first and last names
  • Upload your folder into the provided shared Dropbox folder by May 20 May 25 (you will receive the link to this shared folder in the body of your registration confirmation email). Most file formats are fine, we will convert them if necessary.
  • Since Conductors will be expected to participate as Singers when not conducting, please also follow the instructions for submitting Singer’s recordings, by June 1.
  • Please note: If you are are not selected as one of the four conducting finalists, you will be refunded the difference between the Singer’s tuition and the Conductor’s tuition.

Singers Have the Opportunity to Participate As Follows: SELECT (Chamber) Choir and/or FULL Choir

Full Choir: No audition requirement, Open enrollment

    • All singers are welcome to participate in the Full Master Class Choir
    • The Full Master Class Choir will be responsible for most of the simpler selections of the services

Chamber Choir: Audition required, Audition deadline June 1

    • The Chamber Choir will be responsible for the larger and more intricate arrangements
    • Singers who wish to be considered for the Select (Chamber) Choir, should submit recordings of the Chamber Choir Repertoire by June 1. Small ensembles (quartets, trios) will be selected from the Chamber Choir.

Click Here for an outline of the services with selections listed by ensemble.

Singers’ Audio Recording Instructions

        • Download the repertoire file. Study the pieces sufficiently so that you can sing them a cappella with clean intonation and proper dynamics, phrasing and diction. Once you have completed your study, record yourself singing each of the pieces in the repertoire straight through.
        • Do not be overly concerned about errors in the recordings. If you make a mistake, do not stop recording or begin over, simply sing that passage over again correctly and continue through the piece
        • Record one piece per file, compile files into a folder, name your folder by your first and last name
        • Upload your folder into the provided shared Dropbox folder by June 1 (you will receive the link to this shared folder in the body of your registration confirmation email)
        • Most file formats are fine, we will convert them if necessary

Auditors:

        • Auditors are permitted to attend all rehearsals, including the Conductors’ private coaching sessions with Maestro Gorbik and Chamber Choir rehearsals
        • Auditors will receive all materials provided to Singers and Conductors and are permitted to attend all lectures and discussions

Recording Process Tips:

Smartphones are the handiest devices for making appropriate recordings. Most smartphones have audio and video recordings functions, and the files they make can be emailed or uploaded onto desktop computers with ease. If you do not have access to a smartphone, please email us with your preferred method of recording, and we will supply you with the address to which your disc should be mailed. Recordings mailed physically should be sent in enough time to arrive by the deadline date. Most audio file formats are fine, we will convert them if necessary.

Arrivals and Departures:

Please try to arrive at St. Tikhon’s no later than 9pm on Sunday, June 29. The dormitory will be open at 4pm for any participants who arrive early. Dinner will not be provided Sunday night.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre International Airport is the closest airport. Rental cars are available at the airport. If enough participants choose to fly into Scranton, a van will be scheduled on Sunday evening and on Thursday afternoon to transport travelers.

The program will begin at 8am on Monday, June 30.

The program will conclude with breakfast after the Liturgy on Thursday morning, July 3. Breakfast will begin a little before noon. Closing remarks and meal will conclude at 1:30pm.

After Thursday’s Liturgy, participants are invited at 2:00pm to a private viewing and veneration of the copiously myrrh-streaming icons of the Mother of God at St. George’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in nearby Taylor, Pa. These icons have been constantly streaming for 3 years and have worked countless miracles. Taylor is 40 minutes from St. Tikhon’s. Transportation for up to 20 will be provided.

Participants are asked to depart St. Tikhon’s by 6pm on Thursday evening.

Housing and Accommodations:

If you choose on-campus housing, you will be staying in the Metropolitan Leonty Dormitory of St. Tikhon’s Seminary. Linens will be provided for you. All meals will be served in the seminary refectory, located on the bottom floor of the main seminary building. If you have any food sensitivities, please let us know in your registration.

If you choose off-campus housing, you will qualify for discounted rates at the two area hotels listed on the Master Class main page. (Select the off-campus housing option button to see contact information for these hotels.) You will still be required to purchase a meal plan, as there is not time in the schedule for eating off-campus during the master class. Again, if you have any food sensitivities, please let us know in your registration.

Parents Who Will be Accompanying Minors:

        • If a teen (age 12 and up) would like to participate in this master class, it is required that they be accompanied by a parent at all times.
        • There is no participation fee for chaperones, though chaperones will have the same privileges as paying Auditors.
        • Chaperones are required to pay room and board fees.
        • Any parent who would like to participate as a singer, is welcome to do so. All registration requirements apply in such a case.
        • There are a limited number of kitchen support staff positions available, which may be filled in lieu of payment of a room and board fee. Please contact us if you are interested.
        • Please contact us by email at info@patraminstitute.org in order to process a youth and chaperone registration.

Schedule

Sunday, June 29

Evening – participants arrive

Monday, June 30

8:00am – Registration — Breakfast, Monastery trapeza
9:00am – Welcome & Introduction, Rm. 233
9:30am- Full Choir Rehearsal — Chamber Choir auditions
12:30pm – Lunch, Monastery trapeza
1:00pm – Fr. Sergius Lunch lecture #1
2:00-3:30pm – Chamber Choir Rehearsal, Rm. 233 — Conductors, Rm. 107
3:30-5:30pm – Full Choir Rehearsal w/ Conductors, Rm. 233
5:30pm – Dinner, Monastery trapeza
6:30pm – Pilgrimage to St. George’s, Taylor, Pa for myrrh-streaming icons

 Tuesday, July 1

8:00am – Breakfast, Monastery trapeza
9:00am – Full Choir Rehearsal, Rm. 233
12:30pm – Lunch, Monastery trapeza
1:00pm – Fr. Sergius Lunch lecture #2
2:00-3:30pm – Chamber Choir Rehearsal, Rm. 233 — Conductors, Rm. 107
3:30-5:30pm – Full Choir Rehearsal w/ Conductors, Rm. 233
5:30pm – Dinner, Monastery trapeza
7:00-9:00pm – Q&A w/ Abbot Sergius & Maestro Gorbik, Monastery trapeza

Wednesday, July 2

8:00am – Breakfast, Monastery trapeza
9:00am – Full Choir Rehearsal, Rm. 233
12:30pm – Lunch, Monastery trapeza
1:00pm – Fr. Sergius Lunch lecture #3
2:00-4:00pm – Final Rehearsal, Rm. 233
4:30pm – Hierarchical Vigil with Bp. Michael, for St. John of San Francisco, Monastery Church
7:00pm – Dinner, Refectory

 Thursday, July 3

7:45am – Choir in church for Bishop’s entrance
8:00am – Hierarchical Liturgy with Bp. Michael, for St. John of San Francisco, Monastery Church
10:30am – Brunch, Closing talk/Follow-up, Refectory
1:30pm – (Optional) Tour of St. Tikhon’s Monastery Museum