Piano Program

The AIMS Collaborative Piano Program offers a unique opportunity for pianists to expand their knowledge of the vocal repertoire and their skills in vocal coaching. The program is specially designed to develop these skills, offering the practical experience and training necessary through collaboration with Dr. James Douglass, head of the AIMS Piano Program, and the AIMS faculty, without equal in its cross-section of established professional coaches, voice teachers, stage directors, singers and conductors.

The pianist at AIMS is exposed to a variety of valuable educational experiences. Private instruction in collaborative techniques, classes in repertoire and style, language and diction study, and master classes with professional singers and coaches are all featured. The pianist also has the opportunity to practice her/his art before the public through the many concerts offered each summer.  In addition, AIMS offers career counseling through its unique Audition Training Seminar and, for qualified participants, exposure to European agents and presenters who come to Graz in search of promising talent.

 
Pianists may choose from two tracks of study: the Opera Studio and the Concert Studio.
Opera Studio This program prepares the pianist to play and coach the standard opera repertoire. It covers score reading and analysis, teaching and performing recitative, cueing techniques, playing orchestral transcriptions for rehearsal, and various stylistic problems.
The following courses are offered in the Opera Studio:
  • Private lessons
  • Aria Repertoire and Coaching
  • Accompanying Class
  • Conversational German
  • German, French, and Italian Diction
  • Poetry of German Lied
  • Stage Artistry
  • Audition Training Seminar
Concert Studio This program concentrates on German Lieder and techniques of playing and coaching the art song.
The following courses are offered in the Concert Studio:
  • Private Lessons
  • Lied Repertoire and Coaching
  • Accompanying Class
  • Conversational German
  • German, French, and Italian Diction
  • Poetry of German Lied
  • Stage Artistry
  • Audition Training Seminar

For further information on the AIMS Collaborative Piano Program, please click here. To discuss the piano program, please contact the AIMS Office.


Cost for Pianists

  • Participant cost is U.S. $5,475 with full payment due by May 15, 2008. There is also a $200 non-refundable application fee. Checks are accepted or you may pay with a credit card through PayPal.

  • Plus round-trip airfare, evening and some weekend meals, tram tickets, some course materials, copies and incidental expenses (estimated at $1500±$500) .

  • Cost includes full tuition, single dormitory room in Graz, breakfast daily, weekday noon meals, and health insurance (while in Austria).

FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFIED APPLICANTS. Scholarship awards are announced in April of each year. We can help you attend AIMS in Graz. Contact the AIMS Office.


More Information

To read how to raise money for your AIMS "Graz Experience", click here. (PDF document)  
To read about Graz, the dorm, a day at AIMS and the AIMS program from the perspective of a vocal participant, click here. (PDF document)
To visit the AIMS in Graz photo gallery, click here.  
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E-mail (click here) or Call us any time to learn more about AIMS.


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