The Beaver Valley Choral Society and Rochester Area School District are pleased to announce the return of the Summer Choral and Instrumental Music Academy during the week of June 13-18, 2022 at Rochester Area High School, 540 Reno Street, Rochester.
Classes begin each weekday at 9am, with dismissal at 3:30pm. The Academy’s hours have been extended by thirty minutes from previous years. During the week-long intensive study, students will be immersed in daily rehearsals, with a choice of enrolling in either the choral track or instrumental track. The Academy is open to all students from the greater western PA and surrounding tri-state communities who are entering Grade 8 through graduated seniors.
Listed is the distinguished faculty of the 2022 Academy — Bruce Harrington, Ukulele instructor; Dr. Bryan Helsel, Presenter: “Recording Arts and Music Technology;” Suzanne Koble, Presenter, “Music in Film and on Stage;” Patty Neeper, Presenter, “Careers in Music;” Ray Rotuna, Presenter: “Careers in Music;” and Deb Silverstein, Academy woodwind coach and director of the Adult Civic Band.
A variety of afternoon interest sessions will include Musicianship; Music Improvisation and Transcription; Careers in Music; Opera Production Exploration; Music for Film and Stage; and Ukulele Class. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in a collegiate mock audition with the Academy faculty.
The Academy also employs Regina Kettering, Accompanist for the collegiate mock audition – a Saturday afternoon closed event; and Choral Accompanist Benjamin Stalder, a 2019 Academy Alumnus.
The Academy announces a new partnership with Pittsburgh Opera Education, an outreach of the Pittsburgh Opera. Pittsburgh Opera Education provides academic enrichment to teachers about opera productions and incorporation of opera in all academic disciplines through their Opera Academy.
Pittsburgh Opera Education also introduces students to operatic artists, giving an inside look at opera productions through their Career Connections program. This new partnership between the Summer Academy and Pittsburgh Opera Education certainly enriches the students’ musical experiences during the week.
An exclusive two-hour College Fair is scheduled for Saturday, June 18. at Rochester High School, starting at 10am. Academy students with college reps during the first hour. Other college bound students and their parents may attend the fair during the 11am second hour. Representatives from Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music and the music departments of Geneva, Grove City and Westminster Colleges will be available to discuss their many offerings for pursuing music after high school.
There will be additional opportunities for students to take extra private voice, flute, saxophone, clarinet and bassoon lessons with Academy faculty for an additional $25.
Online academy registration begins February 1. Early bird tuition is $275. But after April 15, the full tuition rate of $300 applies. A $25 discount is available for returning Academy students. A $25 sibling discount is also available. Tuition covers the cost of all music, and includes breakfast and lunch each day, and a final dinner before the concert.
Students may apply for need-based partial scholarship. Register at http://www.rasd.org: click on “Summer Academy” link for all forms. including those for teacher recommendation and scholarship application.
The Academy’s final day, Saturday, June 18, closes with a grand finale concert at 7 pm. in the Rochester High School auditorium. The free concert features the Academy’s Choir, Jazz Band, and Adult Civic Band.
BVCS Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sharon Burchill will conduct the Academy choir‘s musical theme, “Come Travel with Me,” that includes selections Come Travel with Me (Scott Farthing), Sail Fast (Matthew Erpelding), and two sea shanties: The Old Lady Rose (Dave Baker) and The Wellermen.
Dr. James Flowers will conduct the Academy Jazz Band in selections from a variety of genres that include Big Band and Swing. Dr. Flowers is an internationally-renowned saxophonist and teacher, and currently is on faculty of the Music Schools at Westminster College and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
The adult portion of the Academy program is the Adult Civic Band, geared for volunteer instrumentalists from age 18 and up. Auditioning is not a participation requirement, but the musicians must indicate their proficiency level when registering. The band will rehearse and perform selected repertoire under the direction of Deb Silverstein, Woodwind Coach for the Academy and Founder and Director of Beaver County Flute Choir.
The adult portion of the Academy program is the Adult Civic Band, geared for volunteer instrumentalists from age 18 and up. Auditioning is not a participation requirement, but the musicians must indicate their proficiency level when registering. The band will rehearse and perform selected repertoire under the direction of Deb Silverstein, Woodwind Coach for the Academy and Founder and Director of Beaver County Flute Choir.
The adult portion of the Academy program is the Adult Civic Band, geared for volunteer instrumentalists from age 18 and up. Auditioning is not a participation requirement, but the musicians must indicate their proficiency level when registering. The band will rehearse and perform selected repertoire under the direction of Deb Silverstein, Woodwind Coach for the Academy and Founder and Director of Beaver County Flute Choir.
The adult portion of the Academy program is the Adult Civic Band, geared for volunteer instrumentalists from age 18 and up. Auditioning is not a participation requirement, but the musicians must indicate their proficiency level when registering with the ability to read music.