The collaborative
arts for pianists and
guitarists are studied
at Radford University
in an active learning
class environment
where students perform
and study works in progress.
Accompanying skills
and technical piano
skills are discussed
and applied with direct
constructive guidance
from the Director
of Accompanying
and Chamber Music,
Caryl Worthington Conger.
Vocal repertoire including German lieder, French and Italian art
songs and standard opera arias are studied and analyzed in-depth.
The setting for the weekly Accompanying Class is much like a masterclass. Student
pianists perform in ensemble settings with vocalists and instrumentalists. The other class
participants observe and offer both written and aural comments and suggestions. There is
ample time given to experimenting with these suggestions and responding as to their
success. Often students not regularly a part of the class are permitted to observe class
when repertoire in which they are particularly interested and from which they may benefit
is being presented. The Accompanying Class as a group attends concerts and/or
masterclasses by guest collaborative artists when these situations exist.
Outside of the masterclass setting individual private accompanying lessons guide and
direct students in technical and musical preparation of their repertoire. Each
accompanying student has the opportunity for regular hands-on accompanying experience
in the vocal and instrumental studios in the Department of Music where they have the
added benefit of absorbing the experience and expertise of those studio teachers.
Numerous performance opportunities exist for piano accompanying students in weekly
Departmental Recitals, in student junior and senior recitals, and in voice and instrumental
juries and studio classes. Other active playing venues where experience and exposure in
the collaborative arts may be gained are in chamber ensembles, large choral and
instrumental ensembles and in the opera workshop program.
Accompanying Class is open to all music and non-music majors with adequate piano
background and to guitar performance majors. On the undergraduate level work study
positions in accompanying may be available and one the graduate level assistantships in
accompanying.
Created: February 26, 1997
Last Updated: February 28, 1997