American Song Institute 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan!
By christie@songofamerica
A Special Event of the U-M Classic Song Research Initiative, a partnership between the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and the Hampsong Foundation with the Singing Justice Humanities Collaboratory and the SMTD Voice Department
For more information about the live-streamed events, please see below, or go here: https://hampsongfoundation.org/resource/american-song-institutesept-2022/
This four-day American Song Institute explores song by American composers through performance, research, and public engagement. Baritone Thomas Hampson serves as artistic director and clinician of the American Song Institute. A special focus will be the institute’s Fellows—a select group of eight young classical singers and two collaborative pianists (Vocal Fellows and Collaborative Piano Fellows). Each are current SMTD students at the University of Michigan. They will take part in an intensive and immersive experience of lessons, discussions, master classes, and a public performance with Mr. Hampson. An additional master class will feature eight undergraduate voice majors.
Members of the University of Michigan faculty from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance as well as the College of Literature, Science and the Arts will join Hampson as part of this Institute. Two panel discussions will focus on expanding the canon of American classic song and on the role of music and song in the understanding of American History. The Singing Justice Humanities Collaboratory will present an interactive recital, exploring the meanings and social impact of Black American song.
Through morning warm-ups, lessons, and masterclasses, as well as panel discussions, lectures, and other events covering a wide range of topics in American arts and letters, all participants will emerge with a deeper knowledge of American classic song repertoire. Student participants will be better prepared to lead the future of American song performance in the concert hall.
The institute will conclude with a recital featuring the Fellows, Mr. Hampson, and Professor Martin Katz at 8 pm Eastern, Saturday, September 10 in Stamps Auditorium on North Campus.
All public events are open to members of the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor community free of charge. Some public events will be streamed live internationally.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7
Reconsidering the Canon and Pedagogy of American Classic Song (Roundtable)
8-9:30pm (EDT)
McIntosh Theatre stream
THURSDAY, SEPT. 8
Song as Social Justice: The Problem and Potential of Music for American History
(Panel Discussion)
3:30-5pm (EDT)
Arthur Miller Theatre stream
Masterclass with Thomas Hampson
7:30-10pm (EDT)
Britton Recital Hall stream
FRIDAY, SEPT. 9
Masterclasses with Thomas Hampson
1:30-4:30pm (EDT) & 5-6:30pm (EDT)
Britton Recital Hall stream
SATURDAY, SEPT. 10
Masterclass with Thomas Hampson
1-3:30pm (EDT)
Britton Recital Hall stream
Singing Justice: An Interactive Recital
4-5:30pm (EDT)
Britton Recital Hall stream
Includes the world premiere of a new song cycle by Jerrell R. Gray
Recital: Thomas Hampson and Hampsong Voice Fellows, with Martin Katz (piano)
8-9:30pm (EDT)
Stamps Auditorium stream