The Georgia State University School of Music is pleased to offer a series of master classes and workshops for high school students as part of our new STAT.Ed program. Our faculty is excited to share tips and techniques on a variety of topics including audition preparation, music education, conducting, and instrument-specific sessions all in an interactive virtual format free of charge. High school students are welcome to sign up for any of these workshops. Classes will be held on Sundays at 8:00 PM.

Schedule for 2021

January 24
College Audition Prep Strategies
Deanna Joseph, Bill Mann, Robert Ambrose
Join GSU School of Music faculty for a session on what to expect in your collegiate music school auditions and some practical strategies for how to prepare so you can do your best. This session will end with a Q&A, so bring your specific questions if you have them. 

February 7 

1. Love at First Sight: How to Adjust Quickly to an Organ
   Jens Korndoerfer
   Whether it is for auditions, services, concerts or competitions, organists frequently have to perform on unknown instruments at all stages of their career, often with very limited rehearsal time. This class will present tried and tested steps on how organists can prepare in advance for these situations, and what to do during their prep time at the instrument. Together, this will allow them to adjust quickly to the organ at hand, realize its full potential in a short time, and perform at their very best under pressure.
2. Pathways to Becoming a Music Teacher
   Patrick Freer
   This session will center on exploring the various routes to becoming a music teacher. We’ll discuss the teacher education programs at Georgia State University, the licensure process in Georgia, and other music teaching career options inside and outside school settings. There will also be time for questions, answers, and discussion.
   
3. Jazz Improvisation and Style
   Gordon Vernick
   Jazz improvisation is actually 2 distinct issues: 1) jazz phrasing and 2) improvisation based on principles of Western harmony. Of course, there are many ways to improvise in addition to utilizing functional harmony.  Dr. Vernick will demonstrate how this works and hopefully unlock some of the mysteries and clear up any misconceptions.
   

February 14
A Voice Master Class: Technique and Presentation
Kathryn Hartgrove
Do you LOVE to sing?  Professor Kathryn Hartgrove, coordinator of the Voice Area at Georgia State University is presenting a Master Class on Valentine’s Day, February 14th at 8pm and will work on the technical aspects of singing, style and presentation. 

February 21

1. Brass Masterclass: “Music = Sound & Flow”
   Alexander Freund
   What is a naturally beautiful sound?
   Projection – overtones! How to produce them?
   Warm Up – How to reset the physical aspects of your playing every day in little time
   Belcanto – the art of phrasing
   Articulations – How to connect and adapt to styles
   How to practice 1 hour with the result of 3
2. Oboe Masterclass
   Lara Dahl
   Dr. Dahl will be focusing on important aspects of playing the oboe including how to play in tune and how to master vibrato! Join us!
   

February 28 

1. French Horn Maintenance
   Eric Hawkins
   This class seeks to equip everyone with the right knowledge to care and maintain their brass instruments, mainly the French Horn. We will discuss techniques, equipment, preventative measures, and more!
   
2. Student Leadership in the Choral Rehearsal
   Jennifer Sengin
   Student leaders play a huge roll in the success of the entire choir. In this interactive workshop, high school students will learn strategies to continue to develop and build on their leadership skills in order to continue to serve the choirs in which they sing.
   

March 7

1. Music, Creativity, and the Brain
   Martin Norgaard
   What happens in the brain when musicians are creative? Specifically, when musicians create in real time – that is improvise? Here I present research on this topic including clips of interviews and performances with artist-level improvisers from many backgrounds including Jazz, Western Classical, Indian Classical, Old-time Fiddling and others. I also show brain imaging data from improvisers while they play composed and improvised music.
   
2. Slide Rulez: Mastering the Slur vs. Legato Tongue on Trombone
   Bill Mann
   Join professor, Bill Mann, for an interactive trombone master class!
   

March 14
So you want to be a conductor? 
Chester Phillips
This session will cover five tips and strategies for developing a solid foundation in conducting and leading music from the front of the room. We hope you will join us for this hand-raising arm-waving good time!

For more information please contact Jennifer Sengin.