Voice Department Curriculum
9-12 Cohort
9th Grade
Weekly Private Voice Lesson
Vocal Studio Class
Concert Choir
Opera Workshop
Theory I
Solfeggio I
Piano Lab I
Eurhythmics
10th Grade
Weekly Private Voice Lesson
Vocal Studio Class
Concert Choir
Opera Workshop
Theory II
Solfeggio II
Piano Lab II
Music History I
11th Grade
Weekly Private Voice Lesson
Vocal Studio Class
Concert Choir
Opera Workshop
Jazz Vocal Ensemble (By audition)
Chamber Choir (By audition)
Theory III
Solfeggio III
Piano Lab III
12th Grade
Weekly Private Voice Lesson
Vocal Studio Class
Concert Choir
Opera Workshop
Acting Class
Diction
Jazz Vocal Ensemble (By audition)
Chamber Choir (By audition)
Senior Coaching Class
AP Music Theory Class
Theory IV
The Audition Process
Auditions for the CAPA Vocal Department include singing one solo selection chosen by the applicant and one selection assigned by the faculty. The applicant will perform pitch recognition exercises and vocal exercises. Applicants also complete a Music Theory Placement test, which no impact on whether a student is accepted.
Audio files and a hard copy of the required audition song can be downloaded from the CAPA Vocal Department website:
http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/Page/2054
The pieces are: Since First I Saw Your Face by Thomas Ford for high voice, and Ward the Pirate, an England Norfolk County Song for low voice.
For more information contact:
Gerald Savage
CAPA Voice Department Chair
Music Office Number: (412) 338.6113
Email:
Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts Magnet School, 9-12 Cohort
Vocal Music Department
2013-2014
111 Ninth Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
(412) 338-6113
Fax: (412) 338-6143
Pittsburgh CAPA 6 -12
Administration and Staff
Principal
Ms. Melissa Pearlman
Director of 9-12 Cohort
Joan Murphy
Director of 6-8 Cohort
Steve Sikon
Voice Department Staff
Gerald Savage, Dept. Chair
Peter Bianchi, Assist. Chair
Barbara Benvin
Demareus Cooper
Etta Cox
Stephen Neely
Diane Rudolph
Mark Spondike
Tim Tucker
Piano
Alaine Fink
Barbara Benvin
Theory
Lenny Young
Computer & Sound Technology
Dan Lindey
Theatre/Production Manager
Chris Howard
CAPA Voice Department 9-12 Cohort
CAPA Voice Department is dedicated to instilling an attitude of respect and professionalism toward the art of singing, helping all students develop healthy voice technique, and reinforcing musical and professional skills that will prepare all students for the next step in their musical careers.
The Voice Department offers a variety of courses and unique opportunities to the students. Ongoing partnerships exists with the Pittsburgh Opera, the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Connecticut (GHAA).
Students in the Voice Department have exciting opportunities to perform in the CAPA Concert Choir, Opera Workshop Class, Jazz Choir, Male Ensemble and Freshman Choir. In 2009, CAPA Choral Ensemble performed for spouses of the G20 Summit hosted by the First Lady, Michelle Obama, at CAPA School. The Ensemble also performed with the world-renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, on the same program.
The Opera Workshop class frequently performs side-by-side on stage with professional artists. Most recent performances include: Down In the Valley by Aaron Copland with the GHAA, Brundibar by Hans Kraza with the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, The Unicorn, The Gorgon, the Manticore by Menotti, and Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan.
In 2009 and 2008 three CAPA students successfully competed in the Grammy Jazz Foundation Competition to win a seat in the Grammy Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Grammy Ensembles, comprised of eight singers from across the United States, study with professional musicians for a week in California and attend the Grammys. In 2009 two CAPA students advanced to the highest level of the Music Educators National Conference All-Eastern Festival Chorus (MENC) held in Rhode Island. In 2008 and 2005 four students successfully advanced to the Pennsylvania Music Educators All-State Chorus (PMEA).
Selected vocal majors participate in the Pittsburgh Opera High School Apprenticeship program where they learn about careers in opera and all aspects of a professional opera company while completing an academic project of interest to them. CAPA Voice Department has a Tri-M Music Honor Society where eligible vocal majors are recognized for their musical and academic achievements, and inspired to excel in leadership and in community service. In summary, students in the Voice Department are offered unique, enriching educational experiences while exploring the voice as their major instrument through the 4-year curriculum that is listed. (See back page).