September Sessions

Key-Notes: A Piano and Voice Exploration

What You Need to Know
 

 How SoCo or Arts Intensive fits into your summer 

 Fast Facts about Deadlines, Commitment, Schedule, etc

 How much does SoCo or Arts Intensive cost?

 Storage and Spring Considerations

 On Campus in September 

 Apply in the VCA

MUSIC 17AX

The objective of Keynotes is twofold: to build piano skills, improve music reading skills and music theory knowledge; and to develop vocal production, sight-sing skills and ensemble experience. The course is designed for a multi-level classroom, so complete beginners and intermediate and advanced pianists and singers can learn in this self-paced course. There will be an element of course tailoring for the needs of individual student.

Goals and objectives of the class are:

  • to learn/improve keyboard technique: fingering, hand position, touch etc…
  • to develop vocal technique: posture, breathing, support etc...
  • to improve sight reading and sight singing skills
  • to play examples of classical, jazz and popular piano and vocal literature
  • to participate in ensemble playing and singing

Since this is a skills-based course, ongoing work daily and regular class attendance will be essential.

This course fulfills the Creative Expression (CE) requirement.

Examples of Field Trips and Guest Speakers

Field trips we have organized in past courses are attendance at the SF Symphony, SF Jazz, Musical Theater, Dress rehearsals at the SF opera, playing piano while picnicking at SF Flower Piano in the Botanic Gardens.

Sample Student Projects

Students are amazed that after a week they are playing ‘dinner music’ in the dining halls, even if they have never played a piano before! We also play in CoHo and have twinkled the ivories at the SF Flower Piano in the Botanic Gardens. In the final showcase, we sing as an ensemble, usually from a repertoire that has some connection to our field trips. The final project is creating your own video clip to the recording of you playing your favorite piece that you have learned during the course.

What Comes After Arts Intensive? 

Some students have gone on to play, sing or conduct for musical productions on campus. Many have decided to add a Minor in Music to their academic commitments. I love to hear from students who keep playing for pleasure long after the class is over.

Meet the Instructor(s)

Marie-Louise Catsalis

Lecturer

Marie-Louise Catsalis initially trained as a piano major. She performed several piano concertos in Australia and Italy, is a conductor, vocal coach and keyboard accompanist (piano and harpsichord). She completed a graduate opera repetiteur's course at the Sydney Conservatorium in 1993. That year she also took part in the Pacific Music Festival, Sapporo, Japan, where she gave recitals with chamber soloists of the Vienna Philharmonic and Santa Cecilia Orchestras; played in the festival's orchestra under Michael Tilson Thomas, and worked with composer Lou Harrison. Thereafter she began to specialize in vocal music of the Italian Baroque, taking lessons in Italy and eventually completing the Master of Music degree at the University of New England, Australia, in 1998. She went on to doctoral studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia, which focused on the serenatas or occasional vocal music of Alessandro Scarlatti (degree conferred 2005). Marie-Louise has experience in collaborative piano, harpsichord and other historical keyboards. Since coming to Stanford, she has produced and been Musical Director for fifteen productions, including A Little Night Music, The Ballad of Baby Doe, Candide and most recently, Into the Woods and She Loves Me.