Laura's Current Class Offerings

Collaborative Piano

Collaborative Piano 2007 Syllabus

This course is designed to explore the art of collaboration with musical partners, from singers to instrumentalists. Students confront the practical aspects of one-on-one musical collaboration from a pianistic point of view. They experience a general overview of this highly varied repertoire, with performance practice ranging from vocal songs and arias to instrumental sonatas and concertos. This class is fast-paced and students must be prepared to learn new music each and every week!

Diction for Singers

Diction for Singers 2008 Syllabus

This course is designed to teach the basics of diction as used by singers on the concert or operatic stage and deals with the practical aspects of using the symbols of the International Phonetic Association (IPA). Students learn the symbols and associated sounds of the International Phonetic Association and their application to the sung languages of German, French, and Italian. Consistent and accurate use of IPA enables singers to pronounce many languages with clarity and finesse, thereby more effectively communicating sung text with their audience.

German Art Song Interpretation/French Art Song Interpretation (alternate years)

German Art Song Interpretation 2007 Syllabus
French Art Song Interpretation 2005 Syllabus

This course is designed for advanced singers and pianists to work together as collaborative duos. Students interpret and perform masterpieces from the German Art Song (Lied) and French Art Song (Mélodie) repertoire. The course deals with practical aspects of the interpretation and performance of song literature. Students learn to develop the many skills needed for successful and satisfying collaboration with different musical partners. Matters of facility, rhythm, phrasing (in poetry as well as music), balance, dynamics, colors, and diction are addressed in the context of performance and interpretive skills.

Useful Student Links

The Lied and Art Song Texts Page (index of over 28000 settings of more than 18000 texts).
IPA Source (transcriptions and literal translations of songs and arias
The Aria Database (a diverse collection of information on over 1000 operatic arias)

 

Contact Laura at laura(dot)dahl(at)stanford(dot)edu