12-13 Opera Handbook Draft 3
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN SCHOOL OF MUSIC OPERA DIVISION 2012-2013 W.A. Mozart. Die Zauberflöte. Tryon Festival Theatre, KCPA. November 2011. Photo: © Laurent Gasquet August 2012 Dear New and Returning Students: Welcome to another year in the UI Opera Division! Although I am truly thrilled that we are off on another exciting annual adventure through the marvelous world of Opera, this season marks a sad milestone in the life of the Opera Division, the School of Music, and the Community at large. Our dear friend, Professor Thomas H. Schleis, simply and affectionately "Tom" for many of us, passed away on July 18, 2012 at his home in Urbana. For 33 years and for generations of University of Illinois students, Tom's keen mind made him a devoted Lecturer and Instructor, General Manager and Principal Coach for the Opera Division. As my friend and close collaborator for the last eight years, I came to refer to Tom as the Opera Division's Soul. The many students who knew Tom were touched by his passion, kindness, gentleness, and vast knowledge of opera and musical theatre as well as his quick wit, shrewd intellect, and sharp sense of humor. Above all, we admired his selfless drive, his resilience, his sincere dedication to and infinite passion for teaching, and his willingness to mentor and offer advice to anyone and everyone, anywhere, anytime. Tom touched our whole community and became an "institution" unto himself through his pre-concert lectures at Krannert Center and the courses he taught through the University's Office of Continuing Education, Elderhostels and Senior Scholars programs. How fitting that Tom was awarded an Excellence in Teaching and Faculty Service award from the University Continuing Education Association for his contributions. I think it is still too soon to fully realize the magnitude and scope of his legacy, but I am absolutely convinced that it will continue to touch, amaze and amuse several generations to come. Professor Schleis began his career at the University of Illinois School of Music in 1981, becoming the vocal coach for the School of Music Opera Division in 1987. He was also affiliated with the Department of Theatre, serving as a musical consultant and teaching classes in musical theatre. Tom’s activities took him to Europe as well as the Lake George Opera Festival and Opera Augusta. This year would have been Tom's 25th season as General Manager and Principal Coach of the Opera Division. I had planned to celebrate the occasion throughout the year. Instead, we are now dedicating this 2012-2013 season to the memory of Thomas H. Schleis. He was looking forward to this year's repertoire and I know that you will join me in making him proud of each production. His spirit will be with us... may he rest in peace. Eduardo Diazmuñoz Artistic and Music Director of UI Opera Division - 1 - May 5, 2006, at the Champaign Country Club Thomas Henry Edward Schleis December 13, 1949 – July 18, 2012 - 2 - In this Handbook, you will find information that should make life easier for you. Please take a few minutes to read it. • School of Music Dr. Jeffrey Magee is the Interim Director of the School of Music. His assistant is Heather Kay Blair. Dr. Joyce Griggs is the School of Music Associate Director. James Gortner is the Assistant Director for Operations & Finance of the School. Jennifer Phillips and Sandy Horne, are the personnel in the graduate and undergraduate office who can answer most academic questions. • Opera Division I, Eduardo Diazmuñoz, am the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor (Head and/or Chair) of the Opera Division, also known as Illinois Opera Theatre and Opera at Illinois. Professor Cara Chowning is our valued and experienced Principal Coach, Assistant Conductor, and Chorus Master. Bridget Benton is our dynamic Interim General Manager. Professors Ricardo Herrera and Dawn Harris are our energetic and imaginative Opera Studio Directors. Nathan Gunn brilliantly provides Voice and Acting counseling. All three Professors are part of the Voice Division as well. Phone calls and questions can be directed to my office or to Prof. Chowning, Bridget Benton, Prof. Herrera, Prof. Harris, or to Prof. Gunn. Po-Chuan Chiang (Po), Meng-Chun Chien (Mickey), and Miyeon Choi, will be our coaches this year. • Phone numbers and E-Mails: Diazmuñoz, Eduardo [Phone] 333-8773 [email protected] [Fax] 244-3069 Chowning, Cara 244-6255 [email protected] Benton, Bridget (859) 912-0909 [email protected] Herrera, Ricardo (Opera Studio) 244-3339 [email protected] Harris, Dawn (Opera Studio) 333-8555 [email protected] Gunn, Nathan 244-9130 [email protected] Stone, Sylvia (Voice Chair) 244-3338 [email protected] Helmrich, Dennis (Accompanying Chair) 333-1252 [email protected] Jordan Gunn, Julie (Accompanying) 244-9122 [email protected] Syer, Katherine (Opera Related Courses) 244-6485 [email protected] Quisenberry, Karen (Production Director) 244-4618 [email protected] De Velder, Anne (Costume Shop Director) 333-9717 [email protected] Korder, Tom (Tech Dir.) 333-3718 [email protected] Lillig, Lisa (Hair/Wigs/Make-up) 244-6298 [email protected] Chiang, Po-Chuan (Po) 550-2326 [email protected] Chien, Meng-Chun (Mickey) (561) 451-5344 [email protected] Choi, Miyeon (225) 223-9813 [email protected] Cline, Phyllis (IOTE) 344-4806 [email protected] - 3 - • Phone numbers and Locations of Shops and other Offices: Stage Management (2-123) 333-8295 Interim General Manager (2-501) (859) 912-0909 Costume Shop (2-312) 244-4086 Scene Shop (2-119) 333-3718 Prop Shop (2-121) 333-9720 & 300-3779 Hair/Wigs/Make-up (4-105) 244-6298 • Abbreviations: CPH Colwell Playhouse EnsA Ensemble Room A (4-506) EnsB Ensemble B Room (4-503) FGH Foellinger Great Hall GRm Tryon Festival Theatre Green Room IOTE Illinois Opera Theatre Enthusiasts KCPA Krannert Center for the Performing Arts MB Music Building OpRR Opera Rehearsal Room (2-418) OpS Opera Suite (4-501) Maestro Diazmuñoz (4-501C) Prof. Herrera, Harris, and Coaches (4-501B) Prof. Chowning (4-501A) OrRR Orchestra Rehearsal Room (2-310) SH Smith Hall SOM School of Music SRH Smith Recital Hall TFT Tryon Festival Theatre Krannert Center is open from 7:00am – 12:00 midnight each day. But on holiday weekends, such as Labor Day, it is completely closed from 7:00pm the Friday before until 6:00am on the following Tuesday. MAKE SURE you do not leave precious items that you might need during those times. Be sure to check the Bulletin Boards outside the Opera Office (Opera Suite) on Level 4, and on Level 2 in the South East Hall, as well as across the Production Office also on Level 2 at KCPA, as often as you can. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to ask! Once more, welcome and my very best wishes for the school year! Sincerely, Maestro Eduardo Diazmuñoz Artistic and Music Director of UI Opera Division - 4 - THE OPERA CLASS OF 2012-2013 WELCOME to the Opera Division of the School of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign!!! If you have an assistantship within the Opera Division you will be assigned to spend 180 hours per semester (12 hours per week approx.) working in two different areas of our production departments: the Scene Shop and the Costume Shop. There are other assistantships which are managed by the Opera Division as well, and these are for our three Pianists/Coaches and for two Administrative Assistants. Assignments are made by me in consultation with the Director of the School of Music according to needs. You will be asked to adhere to an agreed schedule. If you have to be absent, you may discuss this matter in advance with your supervisor AND with me. If you are cast in one of the operas, you may enroll in class 450B (Graduate students) or 265A (Undergraduates) to get proper credit. You can also register for Opera Chorus (450 B1) and/or Proseminar in Music which is Opera Studio (468) provided you pass the required audition. Being an Opera Assistant means that you are also available for special projects within the Division. You may be called upon to sing assigned roles and/or chorus if needed, or to participate in other performing opportunities as they come up. The main idea behind all this is that you gain as much experience as possible in the field of opera as we can provide for your advancement and growth. Because of that, you should make me and/or Prof. Chowning, as well as Bridget Benton, aware of all your other artistic activities such as recitals, concerts, on and off campus, competitions, auditions and so forth. You can always put a note in Prof. Chowning’s box, in Bridget Benton’s box, or mine. If you are cast in a major role, the Opera must be given priority. All of us will do our very best to enable you to take advantage of all other performing opportunities which might arise for you during your time at the University. We have done so in the past with the professional orchestra of the region, the Champaign-Urbana Symphony, and with the Krannert Center Resident Orchestra, Sinfonia da Camera, among others. We are committed to helping YOU excel in every aspect of the activities within the Division. Everyone here, myself, Professors Chowning, Herrera and Harris, Bridget Benton, coaches, stage directors, choreographers, shop directors, etc., are focused in offering you a professional experience with all the exigencies that you will face once you - 5 - leave the University. The big difference is that you will be in a training environment in which you will learn from your successes as well as from your mistakes.