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National Academy Orchestra of Canada International Student Program OverviewTRAINING PHILOSOPHYIt is well understood that a basic medical degree does not of itself equip a physician to practice medicine. Rather, an extended period of closely-Mentored practical experience in a clinical environment – the medical residency--is necessary to bridge from the university' classrooms and textbooks to the "real world". The career path of an aspiring orchestral or chamber musician is very similar. Often however, the musicians’ "residency" phase is haphazard, insecure economically unsupervised and largely unavailable outside major metropolitan centres. A period of freelance work, during which the experience and skills of ensemble playing are gradually deepened from the limited exposure even the best Music Faculty or Conservatory can afford. The NAOC offers a unique, structured "residency" program to fill this gap. Its Students enter a demanding professional environment, in which not only their individual performance skills are developed, but their sense of ensemble playing–of reacting instantaneously and constantly to the gestures and intentions of others–is deliberately and overtly cultivated. The NAOC' training philosophy is based on four basic principles:
The NAOC provides real-to-life training not traditionally provided in a University/Conservatory approach. Since the inception of the National Academy Orchestra (summer 1988), the teaching mandate has not altered its basic premise, although it is continuously fine-tuned. The NAOC program duplicates professional life in all its time restraints. It encompasses programs in all types of music; standard orchestra repertoire, chamber music, contemporary classical, opera, oratorio, world music, education performances at all levels, pops, theatre music, film, and recording are all covered. NAOC provides training and performance opportunities to arm its Students with a musical ability to play any type of musical phrase and to understand the various uses of articulation in music. There is only one other training program in North America which compares to the NAOC – the Orchestra of the New World in Florida. Although many Canadian – but mostly American University music programs attempt to provide training and performance opportunities for their Students, within an academic setting they are unable to match the variety, scope and depth of repertoire that the NAOC and New World provide their Students.
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| SEMINAR | DESCRIPTION |
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Performance Anxiety & Performance Health |
Focus in on prevention of musicians’ injuries by improving posture and practicing techniques, Dr. Chong also examines treatment options such a physio, massage and hydrotherapy |
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Current Issues In Music Performance Research |
This seminar examines issues such as "What Constitutes Musical ‘text’?" "What is ‘authentic’ performance?" and "Music as Sociology" |
AUDITIONS
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Orchestral Excerpts |
Review of standard orchestral excerpts. Sample video recorded auditions will be played and Students expected to provide detailed analysis and feedback. |
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Resumes & Biographies |
A review of professional resumes, curriculum vitae and concert program biographies. Students will be expected to produce a short personal resume and possibly a small press kit. |
Programming |
An important lecture on professional orchestral and chamber music programming skills. This lecture emphasizes the balance between artistic merit, audience appeal and production/artistic costs. |
ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE
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Music History & Biography |
Where do Students find program notes? Research methods including music libraries, research libraries and the Internet. This seminar examines the need for a ‘critical’ approach. Project: write program notes for an upcoming NAOC performance. Satisfactory projects will, to the extent possible, be printed in the NAOC program. |
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Musical Criticism |
Revered former Hamilton Spectator music columnist Hugh Fraser uses humour, written examples and a passion for live performance to explore the art of previewing, reviewing and finding human interest in all arts stories. Students are encouraged to write a review of an upcoming concert |
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The Art of Teaching |
All NAOC graduates who pursue a career in music will be called upon to make part or most of their living as teachers. This seminar examines a modern day approach to pedagogy and relevant techniques and resources. |
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Speaking From and Movement on The Stage |
Project: develop and deliver a spoken introduction for an upcoming NAOC piece or concert, which will be video recorded for detailed analysis and feedback. Satisfactory projects will, to the extent possible, be presented during the NAOC program |
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
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Being Interviewed |
Project: do a mock radio interview with a Mentor, recorded for detailed analysis and feedback |
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Creative & Thematic Programming |
Project: develop a program proposal directed at an assigned promoter, writing a formal business letter, with appropriate expression, argument, and supplementary material. |
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Arts Advocacy |
Project: write a "Letter to the Editor," or a short submission to a public or government authority, arguing a point of view relevant to current affairs in the arts, with appropriate expression and documentation. |
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Stage Movement & Performance |
A discussion on stage deportment, physicality of performance and its effect on the audience in orchestral and chamber music performance. Playing of video by Benjamin Zander of the subject of "one buttock" playing. A vital need communicating our physical involvement in the emotional content of the music in order to better connect with audiences. Discussion of issues such as acceptance of applause, dress, demeanour while listen to other musicians performing. |
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Relaxation Techniques for the Orchestral Musician |
By helping musicians improve the quality of the physical movements involved in playing an instrument or singing, the Alexander Technique also helps improve the quality of the music itself. A violinist's stiff shoulders and arms will get in the way of a pleasing sound; a flautist's tight neck or jaw will cause their sound to become less resonant. By helping musicians release undue tension in their bodies, the Alexander Technique makes possible a performance which is more fluid and lively, less tense and rigid. |
TRAINING OVERVIEW
The NAOC provides meaningful training opportunities through performance and non-performance based interventions:
PERFORMANCE-BASED
Ensemble Training Sessions
Sectional Training Sessions
Chamber Performance Opportunities
Ensemble Performance Opportunities (Public Concerts)
NON-PERFORMANCE-BASED
Reading Rehearsals
Chamber Training Sessions
Private Lessons
Mock Audition Sessions
Concerto Competition Auditions
Masterclasses
Career Development Lectures Seminars
The International Student session begins with 4 weeks of ESL training then continues with the NAOC begins the 16 week session with 5-8 weeks of chamber music. Chamber groups are formed from the 25 initial, core musicians taken on for the entire session. These groups include string quartets and quintets, two woodwind quintets and a brass quintet. These first weeks allow the musicians to work with one another on a closer, more personal level, discovering how to play successfully together and develop a core sound. The majority of seminars and masterclasses happen during these weeks, giving the Students an intense approach to the world of professional music. Private lessons are offered with the masterclass clinicians and chamber coaches, as well as mock auditions with these same Mentors serving on the panel. Masterclasses with all guest soloists are given, and private lessons with Mentors and seminars are offered. For these final 8 weeks, orchestral playing is the major focal point of training, led by Maestro Brott along with the Associate and Guest Conductors, and the Mentors who head the sections for each concert. Students are encouraged always to play the more complicated parts (winds and brass) and Mentors are brought in to help them along, offering training advice and direction.
NAOC Core curriculum ensures the NAOC graduate will be equipped with the musical training and performance experience to perform any style of music in their careers. NAOC Students, over the course of three years, will be exposed to training and performance opportunities, plus supplemental curricula to teach them the performance styles of the pillars of the repertoire: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. NAOC philosophy places these composers as the foundation of the basis of any aspiring classical musician's repertoire and performing experience.
PERFORMANCE STUDIES: FULL ENSEMBLE TRAINING SESSIONS
NAOC ensemble training sessions are the main "classroom" activity, and are unique in that they are blends of traditional orchestral repertoire rehearsal with Mentor-Student coaching. The principal Mentor is, of course, the Conductor, who deliberately blends a professional with a pedagogical approach. Other Mentors are seasoned professional players, who sit and play alongside Students. In addition to being powerful models simply by their presence, they may stand up during Ensemble Training Sessions and demonstrate techniques to improve ensemble playing. This level of feedback and coaching is never available onsite in a professional orchestra rehearsal setting and is unique to the NAOC approach.
Even with this significant enhancement, the NAOC's objective is to hold ensemble training sessions within a time frame similar to that allotted to professional orchestras, thus as with repertoire selection, described above replicating the demands of a real-world ensemble career.
PERFORMANCE STUDIES: SECTIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS
Full ensemble training sessions are supplemented–or at times, interrupted–to break into smaller sectional training sessions. Led by Mentors, NAOC Students are able to work intensively at solving particular difficulties such as interpretations of notation, intonation tendencies, and phrasing and fingering/bowing techniques. The flexibility to move between full-ensemble and sectional training sessions again embodies the professional-pedagogical blend that underpins our philosophy.
PERFORMANCE STUDIES: CHAMBER MUSIC
Chamber music is generally regarded as the most sophisticated medium of performance for a classical musician. Chamber music teaches the players to refine ensemble skills by putting total responsibility on them as a group, rather than having recourse to the real-time control and assistance of a Conductor. Six hours of Chamber Training with a professional Mentor are scheduled for each chamber performance; the groups are expected to rehearse individually for an additional 6 to 9 hours.
PERFORMANCE STUDIES: PUBLIC CONCERTS
While training sessions and other kinds of direct instruction manifestly have pedagogical value–like "readings" or "workshops" for plays– the ability to produce satisfying artistic results before a public audience is really the objective of the performance enterprise, and a kind of "final examination" for Students. NAOC Students have an outstanding opportunity to perform in Hamilton and throughout the Halton region, presenting the major classical, chamber, pops, and education staples as well as more adventurous programming. This marriage of formal training with multiple and varied real-world public performances makes the NAOC unique in Canada.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT Dr. Jeffrey Stokes’ NAOC Lecture Series
The NAOC aims to develop first-class orchestral and chamber musicians who are also equipped to undertake certain leadership roles in furthering their own careers, or as a resource for the organizations that will eventually employ them, and for their communities. To enhance, extend, and contextualize the central performance aspects of the NAOC's mandate, philosophy, and curriculum, the following modules of Complementary Studies are offered or actively in development. Each seminar generally one hour in duration is led by a recognized professional or academic Mentor, and may have readings assigned in advance to focus discussion. The projects are individually supervised, in person or in email, by an appropriate professional or academic Mentor. Each Student is expected to attend all seminars.
Mock Audition Sessions
The process of "practicing" auditioning has become one of the most popular aspects of the NAOC's training program. Each year the NAOC organizes at least two Mock Audition sessions: the first with Students as both the panel and the Student, and the second with a panel of professional orchestral musicians -- for the past two years, the professional panel has comprised prominent members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The first of these sessions allows the Students to get a taste of what it's like on both sides of the screen -- they listen and provide constructive criticism to their fellow Students, provided at the end of the session.
The auditions come as close to a professional situation as possible: screens are used, the Students pick numbers, and a second round determines a winner. For the professional panel, more concentration is placed on receiving the criticism and comments, again given at the end of the session, so that they can receive the all important feedback. All instrument groups are represented on the professional panel, and these auditions are screened as well to make the scenario as "real-to-life" as possible.
Private Lessons
NAOC will continue increase in the number of private lessons offered to Students. The NAOC encourages one on one exchanges between Mentors, soloists and students and provides for as many of such interchanges, initiated by the student as the budget will allow. Each NAOC Student is eligible to receive private lessons from any of our Mentors, pedagogues, or guest artists, subject to availability. Time schedules are worked out with each individual. These lessons are vital – instructors will often listen to Students’ current orchestral excerpts so they can receive feedback and criticism. Often the Students are preparing for a future audition so feedback is crucial.
NON-PERFORMANCE STUDIES: READING REHEARSALS
The NAOC's philosophy clearly treats the main canonic composers of the Western Art Music tradition–Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms–as the foundation of any aspiring classical musician's repertoire and performing experience. They typically dominate in the required repertoire lists for auditions, which are the access point for permanent professional positions. Practical acquaintance with a large body of this music, and practical experience with the particular performance styles expected, is invaluable.
Repertoire Reading Sessions
NAOC Repertoire Reading Sessions began in 2006 and have become invaluable to NAOC Student's experience of playing large amounts of repertoire in a short amount of time in an orchestral setting – something rare in the traditional University setting. More importantly, these sessions provide valuable sight reading experience, again not always covered in university programs. The repertoire is read through, paying attention to form, style, dynamics, and general musicality so the sense of the work can be achieved in a short amount of time. It also allowed the orchestra to further develop its core sound by working together as a full ensemble in a low-stress environment - i.e. these works are not prepared for performance.
Masterclasses
Masterclasses went through major revision in 2007 and 2009 continues to bring new faculty to the podium (see faculty list). The majority of these classes have focused on practical issues, auditions, audition techniques, and orchestral excerpts -- all of which are most relevant to their career. The seminars have concentrated mostly on practical issues related to the music industry: musician's health, union issues, contract law, stage fright, occupational safety, as well as dealing with auditions, audition processes, and review of orchestral excerpts.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
- A Concerto excerpt of your choice
This excerpt will show musicality and virtuosity and should last about 5 minutes
- Four (4) excerpts from the general orchestral repertoire showing full fortissimo sound, pianissimo, spicatto, legato, musicality and virtuosity. Of these one should be by Mozart, one Romantic, one Impressionistic and one of your own choosing.
Total timing: 15 minutes or less.
No Applicant is judged on poor sound quality. All video recordings must be accompanied by three professional references with accompanying phone numbers and email addresses, and all references are checked. If there is any question as to the Applicant's abilities due to poor sound quality, references can provide more information in this regard.
Students are chosen for the following abilities: Intonation, articulation, technical ability, musicality, phrasing, tone quality and presentation. The NAOC strives to attract people who are team players, creative thinkers, will present themselves well in public and take advantage of the entrepreneurial aspects of the NAOC's Mentoring philosophy. In simple terms: the NAOC strives to offer opportunities to those individuals who have potential for a lifelong career in music, encompassing all aspects of such a career.
Applicants can send the applications in these ways:
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Mail Your Application: Brott Music Festival 301 Bay St. South Hamilton, Ontario L8P 3J7 Canada |
| Fax Your Application (must mail or email your video recording): 001-905-526-9934 (Please call 001-905-525-7664 to confirm or you need help) |
| Email Your Application: dwong@brottmusic.com |
CAREER COUNSELLING/NETWORKING/MENTORING
The very nature of the Mentor Student relationship often sees that NAOC Students stay in touch with, or take lessons from, their Mentors even after the NAOC session ends. This can result in fruitful networking opportunities, and a change for the Mentoring relationship to become organic throughout a musician's career.
Website also provides a forum for Student alumni and Mentor biographies and updates. Biographies are posted so that Students become better acquainted. Student page is "downloadable" by media, enabling local and national press to write about them. There is also a section on how to apply for future sessions, including audition requirements.
- NAOC Students are also provided with access to music library regarding parts for upcoming auditions, assistance with curriculum vitae, office staff assistance with copying letters of reference, parts, etc.
- All past Students are given access to music library and photocopier, for purposes of future auditions.
NAOC Students are fully prepared for both entering and managing professional life, in ways not traditionally available in university and post-graduate programs. They are coached in audition practice techniques, are able to explore and expand upon their own entrepreneurial skills, and have the opportunity to assess each other. After participating in the NAOC, they have developed the best advantages in presenting themselves for employment in the field of music.
As Orchestra-in-residence for Canada's largest orchestral music festival, Students acquire knowledge and skills in the full gamut of the operations of a performing musical institution including fund raising, budgeting, marketing, stagecraft, audience relations and presentation. They have been exposed to and worked along side principal players from Canada's finest orchestras, studios and shows and have thus developed a network for employment.
AUDITIONING
Through NAOC mock auditions, Students who have completed a session are better equipped to understand the requirements of current audition process and better equipped to win those auditions.
NETWORKING
Communication -- advertised, written and verbal with Student players is conducted in both official languages. Music Director Boris Brott is fluent in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. Informal sessions with the Music Director give Students the opportunity to speak one-on-one with their Conductor. In addition, Students and alumni are encouraged to approach our office for any letters of reference.
NAOC: PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
The National Academy Orchestra, as the orchestra-in-residence of Brott Music Festivals, provides Student musicians with the opportunity to perform a wide spectrum of repertoire, in professional rehearsal and performance situations. Students are able to improve sight reading skills, communication skills as team players, communication with their Conductor and communication with audiences. This kind of real, practical experience is not fully available in any University/Conservatory setting anywhere in North America.
MUSICIANS OF THE 21 CENTURY NEED ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS
Renowned musicians and industry leaders, as well as business experts author, construct and present the National Academy Orchestra's masterclasses and seminars. These classes emphasize the entrepreneurial nature of being a professional musician and stress that it is impractical to obtain and keep orchestral jobs for one's whole career. The National Academy Orchestra prepares Student musicians so they may be better equipped to perform in non-traditional orchestral settings (eg. shows, films, commercials), develop their own ensembles and develop programmes to develop new audiences. NAOC prepares Students within the time constraints of full professional life, and as orchestra-in-residence for Brott Music Festival, presents a large repertoire in a variety of different musical fields publicly.
They have acquired communication techniques to positively develop future audiences through education programs, community outreach and multidisciplinary concerts.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
NAOC HEADQUARTERS
Since the inception of the National Academy Orchestra 20 years ago, the offices of the Academy have been located at 301 Bay Street South, Hamilton, Ontario. The office is also home to the Brott Music Festival.
PERFORMANCE VENUES
In keeping with the National Academy's commitment to providing Students with a real-to-life orchestral schedule, all orchestral performances take place at world-class venues and charming non-traditional locales throughout the Hamilton, Golden Horseshoe and Toronto areas. NAOC Students play on stages where just the night before major Canadian opera, ballet or orchestral companies may have performed!
For the past several years, the National Academy Orchestra regularly performs in the following larger venues:
Most current NAOC facilities are:
Mohawk College, McIntyre Theatre; Television Studio; Various Classrooms
2008 marks the debut of the NAOC at this beautiful facility. This state of the art and acoustically superior theatre seats 1039 and is equipped with Traditional Arch Stage with a 40' x 30' Maple Sprung Floor, a Sennheiser Infra-Red Hearing Assist System, Kawai 9' Grand Piano, Insight II Lighting Console, Three Dressing Rooms.
The Broadcast Television Studio provides a live acoustic and room enough for NAOC ensemble practice sessions. Classrooms throughout the College are utilized for seminar, masterclasses and sectional practice sessions.
Mohawk College is located on four bus lines and is only an 8 minute trip from downtown Hamilton. It offers full cafeteria/food court services and Student housing. Because the College lies quite dormant in the summer months, the NAOC provides activity and income to the facility. The NAOC looks forward to developing this fledgling partnership with the College for mutual benefit of the school and of the NAOC.
Hamilton Place, Great Hall; Studio Theatre
The Great Hall of Hamilton Place seats 2191 people and the internationally acclaimed theatre maintained a reputation for outstanding acoustics and production standards. The 350-seat Studio Theatre is perfect for cabaret seating-style concerts and has many appropriate rooms for master classes and workshops. We often hold contemporary concerts at this venue.
Dofasco Centre for the Arts, Hamilton, ON
The new 750-seat Dofasco Centre is home to many of the National Academy's Orchestral concerts. It is an acoustically superior hall, and contains appropriate facilities for master classes and workshops. It is located in downtown Hamilton. (Please see attached for technical details.) The smaller 70-seat Founders's Lounge is also used for Pre-Concert Lectures.
St. Christopher's Anglican Church, Burlington
Is a venue with superior acoustics, and contains not only a sanctuary (used for performances) but many smaller rooms plus a gymnasium which allows NAOC to conduct coaching sectionals, masterclasses and even private lessons on-site. The gorgeous 400 seat venue allows the NAOC to reach out through performances – both paid and free – for a completely new audience in a different region.
Melrose United Church, Hamilton
2008 also marked the NAOC debut at Melrose United Church. Although not air-conditioned and unsuitable for much of the summer activity of the NAOC, it is a gorgeous acoustic with wonderful sightlines. The 20th anniversary session of the NAOC opened with guest soloist James Ehnes. Melrose seats 500 and is located in a quaint, culturally vibrant section of the City, known simply as "Locke Street." It is a residential area with many culturally aware residents and the NAOC has made a lot of friends, not to mention less carbon footprints, in the area.
St. John's Anglican Church, Ancaster
The new church hall at another quaint church in the Greater Hamilton area is quite suitable for chamber concerts and smaller orchestral sessions and performances such as Four Seasons x 3 with Lindsay Deutsch and High Tea with Giampiero Sobrino. It seats 200 theatre style and offers excellent catering as well.
