<BODY><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">VOCI: Vocal and Operatic Coaching Institute <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kent</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Greeting Young Artists:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Welcome to the beginning of an exciting new program, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">VOCI: Vocal and Operatic Coaching Institute.</I><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The purpose of our program is to provide both healthy vocal instruction and valuable stage training to interested high school students from the northeastern <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:State> region.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">VOCI is open to any young performers in grades 9 to 12, but acceptance is on an audition-only basis as there are limited spaces available.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Students who are accepted will have lessons with trained instructors who are monitored by the vocal faculty of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kent</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These half hour lessons will culminate in a recital featuring all students in the program.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The second part of VOCI is participation in a staged scenes program.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These scenes will be chosen from opera, operetta and musical theatre. After several staging and acting rehearsals, students will perform these selections in a live performance.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Auditions</B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">All interested young artists are required to present an audition.There is limited space in the program and participants will be chosen based upon their audition.Students should bring two pieces to the audition, one in English and one in a foreign language, if possible. Auditions for Spring semester will take place on January 12, 2008. (Other audition dates and times may be arranged)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Attendance</B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">VOCI artists will receive fourteen lessons and group studio classes, as well as five staging and acting rehearsals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Lessons and studio classes for the spring 2008 semester will begin the week of January 28 and continue through the week of May 5.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There are no lessons the week of March 17 because of Spring Break.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Lesson days and times will be determined by the teacher in accordance with the students’ availability.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Studio classes will be Saturday mornings from 11:00 to 11:50.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The dates and times for all staging rehearsals are listed below under the <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Events</B> section of this letter.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>
Lessons will only be rescheduled if 48 hours of notice is given and at the instructor’s convenience.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As all students are involved in scene rehearsals, they cannot be rescheduled.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Location</B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Lessons will be taught in room E205 of the Music and <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Speech</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Building</st1:PlaceType> at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Kent</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>Scene rehearsals will take place in the Ludwig Recital Hall of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Parking</B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Parking passes will be issued to those in need of permits.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Materials</B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">All students must have access to a keyboard on which to practice their music and vocal exercises.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A blank cassette tape should be brought to each lesson in order for the student and teacher to better track vocal progress.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Students may be asked to purchase additional sheet music as needed.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Tuition</B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The total tuition amount for the semester is $470.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Tuition is broken down as follows:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>$325 for fourteen lessons and group studio classes payable directly to the instructor; $45 for studio and recital accompanist payable directly to the pianist; $100 VOCI fee payable to Hugh A. Glauser School of Music (please note <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">VOCI Program</I> on the memo section of the check).</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Events<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Scenes Rehearsal<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>February 20<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>7:00-9:30pm<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Scenes Rehearsal <SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>February 23<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>12:00-3:00pm<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Masterclass<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>May 3<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>11:00am<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Scenes Rehearsal<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>February 27<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>7:00-9:30pm<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Scenes Rehearsal<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>March 1<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>12:00-3:00pm<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Scenes Rehearsal<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>March 5<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>7:00-9:30pm<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Scenes Rehearsal<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>March 8<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>12:00-3:00pm<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Scenes Performance<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>March 9<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>5:00pm <SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Recital <SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>May 11<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN>5:00pm<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Ludwig Recital Hall</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Contact Information</B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>To schedule an audition, please contact Professor Timothy Culver at 330-672-9240, ext. 2 </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">or by e-mail at <U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><A href="mailto:tculver@kent.edu"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">tculver@kent.edu</SPAN></A></SPAN>.<o:p></o:p></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><o:p> </o:p></P></BODY>