Each summer, Opera Memphis hosts two sessions of the Summer Conservatory. Acceptance into the Conservatory is by audition only, and accepted students are placed into Session I or Session II based on vocal ability. Auditions for the 2012 Summer Conservatory will be held at the Clark Opera Memphis Center, 6745 Wolf River Parkway on the following dates:

AUDITION DATES

Monday, April 9, 2012 - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

Students are placed in Session I or Session II based on vocal development.  Places in conservatory are limited. All audition dates/times are open to potential students ages 11-20. No appointments are necessary. An accompanist will be provided at no charge. Potential students should prepare one selection in the classical vocal music style, with or without accompaniment. CD accompaniment is acceptable. Should you choose to use our accompanist, please remember to bring an extra copy of your music!  Every student must audition in order to be accepted to one of the conservatories. If you will not be able to attend the open audition sessions, you must contact Sarah Squire, Director of Education, to make arrangements to submit a recording BEFORE the audition dates.


Summer Conservatory: Session I
In Session I, up to 25 students spend two weeks preparing a complete production with a performance on the last evening. In 2011, students performed the Gilbert & Sullivan review HOLLA-HOLLA-HOO. Each student is given a role or roles within the show, and the two weeks are spent in vocal coaching and staging sessions. Workshops are presented on aspects of production. The rehearsal process concludes with a fully staged performance on Friday, June 22 at 7:00 PM.

Dates: June 11 – 22, 2012
Times: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM weekdays
Location: Clark Opera Memphis Center
Cost: $300 per student
Ages: 11 – 18

Summer Conservatory: Session II
Session II is for the more advanced singer who is considering a college degree in vocal performance. Based on the audition, up to 18 students are given at least two roles in scenes from opera, operetta and/or musical theatre. Participants rehearse these scenes in an atmosphere similar to an Opera Workshop class in college. They receive vocal coaching from a talented staff of voice instructors. Each scene is staged by the voice instructors, and a concert of scenes is the final product. Workshops are presented on acting, training the voice, careers in music, makeup and other aspects of production. The rehearsal process concludes with a fully staged performance of scenes on Friday, July 20 at 7:00 PM.

Dates: July 9 - 20, 2012
Times: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM weekdays
Location: Clark Opera Memphis Center
Cost: $400 per student
Ages: 15 – 20

If you have further questions about Summer Opera Conservatory, please contact Sarah Squire, Director of Education,  at 901.202.4548.