2012 NATS Winter Workshop Event Program Schedule

NATS Workshop Attendees will be able to attend the NOA Convention sessions in addition to the sessions presented by NATS.

View the additional resources from the Winter Workshop presenters.

Composing, the Voice, and Lyric Italian for the Opera

Session #1: January 6, 2012 (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
Panel Discussion with Ricky Ian Gordon, Karen Brunssen and Robert Thomson (Moderated by Allen Henderson).

Voice Master Class I Tag-Team Style
with Ricky Ian Gordon and Karen Brunssen

Session #2: January 6, 2012 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
In this session, four voice/piano duos will present songs from the opera, art song, and/or Music Theater repertoire composed by Ricky Ian Gordon. The performers will receive collaborative instruction and guidance from the composer himself, as well as an eminent performer/teacher of singing.

Italian for the Opera with author, Robert Thomson

Session #3: January 7, 2012 (9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
In this session, Robert Thomson will explain and illustrate the holistic approach to learning operatic Italian that he developed in two books (Italian for the Opera 1992,  and Operatic Italian 2009).  He will examine, in detail (with sound clips and visual aids), several libretto passages and a few passages from Dante.  You will receive a detailed handout with many specific suggestions on inspiring readings and sites, many of which are not well-known. For details on Thomson’s books, visit www.godwinbooks.com

The Triple Threat Composer: Ricky Ian Gordon's Operas, Art Songs, and Music Theater works—His Style and Motivation

Session #4: January 7, 2012 (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
In this session, active, successful vocal/instrumental composer, Ricky Ian Gordon will discuss his own create works, aspects of motivation, inspiration, as well as similarities and differences in his compositions.

Voice Master Class II Tag-Team Style
with Ricky Ian Gordon and Karen Brunssen

Session #5: January 7, 2012 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
In this session, four voice/piano duos will present opera arias from the general repertoire. The performers will receive collaborative instruction and guidance from composer, Ricky Ian Gordon, as well as an eminent performer/teacher of singing. Karen Brunssen

The Ages of the Voice

Session #6: January 8, 2012 (9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)
In this session, Karen Brunssen will present research about the chronological life of our singing voices, beginning with the first cry as a newborn baby and continuing throughout our entire lives. At every age, vocal and musical function is dependent on where the body is within progressive and constant changes. Attendees will listen to recordings of voices from ages three months to 103 years, and consider the amazing evolution of the magnificent, living, breathing human instrument.

Savor the South: Pre-Convention Dinner

Kick off your workshop experience by submerging yourself in the culture of Memphis at the Center for Southern Folklore. We will have a private gathering at the Center, featuring an introduction to its collections of folk culture and the music that is uniquely Memphis, from Rock 'n Roll to the Blues. We will enjoy a scrumptious southern meal prepared for us by Miss Ellie and enjoy a private concert by Blind Mississippi Morris. There will be a full cash bar and plenty of opportunities to catch up with your NOA and NATS colleagues in an event that will set the thone for a jam-packed Convention/Workshop schedule. Space is limited, so reserve early!

Catering Functions (no charge with paid registration)