“There are many summer programs offered in Italy and throughout Europe, and you should choose carefully, both in terms of what the programs promise and how the programs deliver on their promises.” —The Operafestival di Roma’s Web page.
How do you choose the summer program that will be right for you? Begin by determining your goals and evaluating your skills. Then find, apply, and audition for the programs that will help you develop those skills.
Be a good consumer. Research these programs: Read everything; talk with program administrators, faculty, and past participants; ask questions; and decide if the program is a good value for your investment of time and money. As Stacey Buck, of the Music Academy of the West, suggests, be sure that the summer program you choose compliments or supplements what you are doing throughout the year.
Determine your goals, evaluate your skills
First, decide what you want from a summer program. Why do you want to participate in a summer program? Do you want to experience your first trip to Europe and do something musical? Do you want to improve a particular skill or get more experience performing? Ideally, you would learn and grow from any program you attend—but you will be more satisfied if you find the one that will help you achieve your goals.
To get the most out of your experience, you should determine where you are as a singer and a performer. What are your strengths? Where do you need more instruction or practice?
On the surface this may seem easy, but if you do it right, it may take some time and introspection. Warren Jones, of the Music Academy of the West, suggests that singers work with their vocal coach/teacher to make these determinations regarding technique, interpretation, and vocal and stage performance.
Research! Research! Research!
Once you have determined what you want to achieve, look for programs that both offer training and provide experience in the appropriate areas. It’s great to learn the technical aspects of a skill, but performance takes practice, practice, practice, to get it into your body and to feel comfortable with it.
When you have identified four or five programs that meet your criteria, look at each one more carefully. Get as much information as possible to make a choice that will help you achieve your goals and have a positive experience—and then determine the opportunity that will be best for you.
It helps to speak with more than one person in a program, perhaps an administrator and a faculty member, and to speak to people from at least three similar programs. Read all information very carefully, both printed materials and on the program’s website.
How complete are the materials you receive? How descriptive is the website? Are there photos? What information do the photos provide, especially regarding performances?
Identify what is being covered in the program cost or scholarship provided and what you will need to cover. Ask specifically what is not included in the program. This is especially important in programs abroad.
Research takes time. If the program is in Europe, your research should be more extensive, especially if all of the instructors are European. Look for a partnership between U.S. and European organizations. Professor William Lewis of the Austrian American Mozart Academy advises singers to ask about the ratio of students to the actual teaching/coaching faculty. Jones suggests that singers review the daily and weekly schedule, in terms of physical demands. In my research, I discovered that programs had different definitions for “lessons” and “coaching,” so it always helps to clarify.
An Excel or other spreadsheet application is a good tool to use for comparison. Place the names of the programs as headings for the vertical columns and the program characteristics or questions to ask as headings in the horizontal columns. As you research each program, record the information on the spreadsheet. At the end of your research you will have all of the information in front of you so you can make an informed decision.
Apply/audition
Many programs want to hear participants before accepting them, and many are highly selective and require auditions. Depending on when you decide to attend a summer program, you may already be approaching application deadlines. Apply to as many programs as you feel meet most of your criteria (unless they ask for substantial application fees).
Timing is always an issue. Sometimes, to make the application deadlines, it is better to audition for a number of programs and then continue the research process.
Will the program do what it says it will do?
Now that you have asked a number of questions about the program, how do you determine if it does what it says it will do? Ask for a list of prior participants to contact, and contact them by e-mail or by phone. Decide beforehand what information you want to know about the program. To help you evaluate responses, devise a set of questions before calling. When speaking to someone, it is very easy to get caught up in what a great experience it was for them. When your conversation is finished, you want to have information that will be helpful to you. A spreadsheet may be helpful here, too.
Questions might include why participants chose that program, what they wanted to get from the program, whether they got it, and how. Don’t be surprised if some of those who think a program is wonderful also say it was their first time in Europe, their first time away from home, and reveal they are just learning to sing so they thought everything was wonderful! That’s great for them! Will that be enough for you?
You might ask them about other participants. Did everyone enjoy it? Did anyone leave early? How was the food? The housing? What did they like best, and least? If you ask people why they did or didn’t like something, you will gain additional information on their perspective, which may be different from yours. This insight will help you make a good decision for yourself.
You can check the program out on the Classical Singer website—but remember that programs are rarely going to present negative comments in such a forum. Look for constructive comments, and beware the overly enthusiastic, non-specific evaluations.
Ask your voice teacher, other teachers, and other singers if they are familiar with the program, the faculty members of the program, or past participants. A recommendation from someone who knows both you and the program is usually helpful.
Most programs are credible—but unfortunately, some, though possibly well-intended, may not be good for you, or do not do what you think they will, or what they imply they will. If you ask questions and don’t get specific answers, consider this a red flag. People who hedge on answering questions may not be very organized, which may be an indication of how the program will be run. Or it may mean they are keeping their options open, which might indicate they are looking out for themselves and not interested in helping you achieve your goals.
If you are paying for a program, you have a right to expect it to provide what it says it will provide. As William Welty, of Operafestival di Roma, said, the old saying ultimately applies: Let the buyer beware.
Credible programs have administrators who can quickly provide you with detailed daily or weekly schedules of lessons and programs, and are willing to take the time to answer all your questions in detail. They will help you determine if their program is right for you, or direct you to other programs that might be a better fit. The Westminster College program provided this kind of information by e-mail on the same day I requested it. So did Operafestival di Roma.
I think what Professor Lewis of AAMA said is true of most of us: “It is important to know as much as possible so there are no surprises.” If we know in advance how things will be, we are less likely to experience disappointment and problems upon arrival. Do not assume what a program will offer or provide. Be sure to ask!
Consider the Cost
Once you have all of the information and have decided which programs are most attractive to you, you might want to look at the economics, to determine whether the program will be worth your investment of time and money. If the program’s dollar cost is much lower than other comparable programs, this may be another red flag and require more research. Before signing any contracts or agreements, be sure to read through them thoroughly to determine what you are being guaranteed.
Many programs are open to high school students. Especially for young singers, parents should determine if their son or daughter will receive the proper support, especially in a foreign country. It may sound a bit old fashioned in these “modern times,” but it is really a matter of personal safety. Putting high school-age students in a foreign country, with no curfew or check-in system, seems a bit perilous.
After you have determined your goals, evaluated your technical and performance needs, identified potential programs, and researched them thoroughly, listen to your gut. The majority of programs are run by people who are invested in providing quality programs—but unfortunately, anyone can say anything. If something is bothering you, do not dismiss it. Identify what it is.
If you base your decisions on your emotions, without getting all of the facts, you may find yourself in a foreign country without an advocate. Often, it is quite costly to return early, especially from Europe. If you do not choose a program well, in addition to being disappointed, you may return home with vocal fatigue, or having to undo the “technique” you were taught.
The majority of programs out there provide wonderful opportunities. I wish you happy researching to find the program that is right for you!
