McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency
The UdeM-McGill Piano-Vocal Arts Residency is a one-of-a-kind program designed for high-level pianists who specialize in collaborating and working with singers. For more information on this program, including the application process and audition requirements, please visit the residency’s website.
Under the co-direction of Michael McMahon (Schulich School of Music, McGill University), Francis Perron (Université de Montréal Faculty of Music), and the coordination of Pierre-André Doucet, the six pianists chosen for this residency will immerse themselves in the recital and opera repertoire, in addition to developing their skills as accompanists and vocal coaches.
This intensive nine-month program runs from September to May.
Generous financial support
Thanks to an extraordinary philanthropic commitment, each candidate accepted into the McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency will receive a full scholarship and a living stipend.
Two exceptional music institutions
A truly one-of-a-kind program, the McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency offers students opportunities for advancement at two exceptional academic institutions:
- the Université de Montréal Faculty of Music
- the Schulich school of Music at McGill University
Located in the heart of Montréal, these two universities will soon be linked by a new rapid transit system, the Réseau express métropolitain.
Outstanding guest artists
So as to cover a broad range of specializations, styles and repertoire, the McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency provides students with opportunities to work under the guidance of major international artists and experts:
- Vocal artists
- Pianists and accompanists
- Conductors
- Lyric diction coaches
- Specialists in literary interpretation and historical performance
Professional development
Within the context of the program, financial support is offered to each resident pianist so that they may carry out a career development project (attending an approved, internationally-recognized workshop, academy or internship program, producing a concert, recording or tour in relation with the program, etc.).
Prerequisites
- Admission is open to candidates from Canada and abroad.
- Pianists holding a minimum of an undergraduate degree or the equivalent and having significant experience in vocal accompaniment are eligible.
Important dates
Registration
To be considered for admission to the McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Arts Residency, pianists must apply before December 15th.
Auditions : Here
Application specifications
Preliminary auditions
Candidates must submit the application form here, as well as biographical notes, academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, a letter of intent, two letters of recommendation, and a repertoire list. They must also submit High-quality video recordings with the application form.
Candidates must submit the following repertoire:
- one German Lied, performed with a singer
- one French mélodie, performed with a singer
- one Art Song in any language, performed with a singer
- one selection from the following, to be sung and played by the pianist at the same time:
- BIZET: Carmen, ACT II, “Nous avons en tête une affaire”
- MOZART: Le Nozze di Figaro, ACT II, Finale up to measure 605
- PUCCINI: La Bohème, ACT I to Schaunard’s entrance
- R. STRAUSS: Ariadne auf Naxos, “Sein wir wieder gut”
- one solo piece or movement from the classical era, of a maximum of seven minutes. It is not
- mandatory to perform the piece from memory.
Final auditions
Selected candidates for the final auditions will be notified by email following their successful preliminary auditions.
Final auditions will be held in person. Candidates unable to travel to Montréal will be permitted to take part in a virtual live audition. Recordings will not be accepted for this round.
Singers will be provided for in-person auditions. Candidates will be responsible for providing singers for virtual live auditions.
The following repertoire must be prepared for the final audition:
GROUP A
Two songs from the following, to be performed with a singer:
- SCHUBERT: Der Musensohn
- SCHUBERT: Ganymed
- SCHUBERT: Im Frühling
- SCHUBERT: Liebesbotschaft
GROUP B
Two songs from the following, to be performed with a singer:
- DEBUSSY: Green (Ariettes oubliées)
- DEBUSSY: Il pleure dans mon coeur (Ariettes oubliées)
- DUPARC: Chanson triste
- FAURÉ: L’hiver a cessé (La bonne chanson)
- FAURÉ: Mandoline (Cinq mélodies de Venise)
- POULENC: Il vole (Fiançailles pour rire)
GROUP C
One mandatory song, to be performed with a singer:
- R. STRAUSS: Allerseelen
GROUP D
One song from the following, to be performed with a singer:
- BRAHMS: Meine Liebe ist grün, op. 63, no. 5
- R. STRAUSS: Cäcilie, op. 27, no. 2
- WOLF: Ich hab’ in Penna (Italienisches Liederbuch)
GROUP E
Two songs from the following, to be performed with a singer:
- BARBER: St. Ita’s Vision (Hermit Songs, op. 29)
- BARBER: The Monk and his Cat (Hermit Songs, op. 29)
- BERG: Die Nachtigall (Sieben frûhe Lieder)
- BRITTEN: Let the Florid Music Praise (On this Island)
- COPLAND: Heart! We Will Forget Him! (Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson)
GROUP F
One selection from the following, to be sung and played by the pianist at the same time:
- MOZART: Così fan tutte, ACT I, Temerari… Come scoglio
- MOZART: Le Nozze di Figaro, ACT III, Hai già vinta la causa
GROUP G
Two selections from the following, to be sung and played by the pianist at the same time:
- BIZET: Carmen, ACT II, “Nous avons en tête une affaire”
- MASSENET: Werther, ACT III, “Werther! Qui m’aurait dit…” (Air des lettres)
- MOZART: Le Nozze di Figaro, ACT II, Finale up to measure 605
- PUCCINI: La Bohème, ACT I to Schaunard’s entrance
- R. STRAUSS: Ariadne auf Naxos, “Sein wir wieder gut”
- STRAVINSKY: The Rake’s Progress, ACT I, “No Word from Tom … I go, I go to him”
GROUP H
One solo piece or movement from the classical era, of a maximum of seven minutes. It is not mandatory to perform the piece from memory.
GROUP I
One selection chosen by the audition panel, to be sight-read.
Candidates will take part in a short interview with the program co-directors following the audition.
The McGill-UdeM Piano-Vocal Accompaniment Residency is made possible thanks to an extraordinary philanthropic commitment.
Program head
Coordinator
