Singing direction

This class is designed to train song leaders. It can also take part in :

- training to become choral conductors, lyric orchestra conductors, musical and vocal advisers for lyric theatres, voice direction teachers and recitalists for the vocal repertoire.

- Preparation for various types of international competition.

Acquisition of accompaniment techniques specific to the operatic repertoire: deciphering, transposition and choral and orchestral reduction.

In-depth study of orchestral reductions, particularly in the operatic works worked on during the year.

Knowledge of the repertoire from the Baroque to the contemporary period (including its literary, historical and dramaturgical dimensions).

Mastery of preparation techniques for singers, particularly knowledge of foreign languages (pronunciation, comprehension, translation, etc.) applied to musical production.

Participation in lyric productions by the Department of Vocal Disciplines and in teaching activities organised by the Department.

Automatic enrolment for all students on the course concerned

2ND CYCLE RECITALS

1st year recital (and 2nd year recital in the case of a 3-year course) (not open to the public) :

1. transposition (1/2 tone, tone, lower or upper major or minor third) of a Lied, a melody or an aria from an oratorio or opera ;
2. sight-reading without dressing room with one or more singers of an opera aria or scene;
3. excerpt from an opera worked on during the year, conducted and followed by work (5 min) with a conductor;
4. Work with singers on an orchestral score of a short extract from a 20th or 21st century opera given 24 hours in advance (10 min);
5. Work on one of two or three opera arias, or opera scenes, set by the teacher and given three weeks before the exam. The work is done with one or more singers.
6. lesson on an extract from a Baroque operatic work (oratorio or opera, on the piano or harpsichord, transposed or not) worked on during the year (10 min);
7. performance played and sung by the student of an extract from an opera worked on during the year (approx. 5 min) ;
8. performance of one of around twenty opera arias worked on during the year, with one or more singers.

2nd year recital (public):

1. Spinning with the conductor of an excerpt from an opera given a week in advance, followed by a 5 to 8 minute work session*.
2. Work on one of two arias given 3 weeks in advance (10 minutes' work) with one or more singers*.
3. The student will conduct an excerpt from an opera, followed by 10 minutes' work with one or more singers (excerpt worked on during the year).
4. Sight-reading with one or more singers*.
5. Replays of a chosen extract from an operatic work worked on during the year.
6. Recital (performance to orchestral score of a symphonic excerpt from an operatic or choreographic work worked on during the year, scenes or arias from opera or various operatic works for voice and orchestra, etc.) lasting 20 to 30 minutes.

* Tests 1, 2, 3 and 4 may include lines to be given by the student conductor.

Recitals: Very Good, Good and Fair.

The Conducting Prize is awarded to the student who has won an award in each of the 2 2nd cycle recitals. The Conducting Prize is awarded by the jury for the 2nd-year recital of the 2nd cycle.

2 years, with one hour of lessons per week with the teacher and 1/2 hour with the assistant.

A 3rd year may be considered provided that:
- a request is made before the end of the 1st term of the 2nd year ;
- all the complementary and optional subjects have been completed in 2 years, with the 3rd year only being granted to follow the main subject;
- have received a favourable opinion from a committee comprising the school headmaster, the head of department and the teacher of the main subject.