Vocal music, opera and collaborative piano

The Sibelius Academy offers extensive and versatile education in vocal music and opera coaching and collaborative piano. The aim is an open development of each student’s personality as an artist. Studies towards the Master of Music degree are backed up by wide artistic activity and expert pedagogy. The current number of students in the programme is fifty.

From the outset, performing forms an integral part of the education. Opera productions and concerts provide students with regular opportunities to publicly present their skills. Entire opera productions are staged in the Sonore Hall of the Helsinki Music Centre, especially designed for vocal music, whereas small-scale operas are performed in the time-honoured concert hall of the Sibelius Academy’s R Building. Lieder and vocal chamber music concerts take place in the halls of the T Building, the Concert Hall of the R Building, and the Sonore and Camerata Halls of the Helsinki Music Centre. Oratorio performances are heard in the churches of metropolitan Helsinki.

Master studies in the subject group of vocal music focus on lied and oratorio music, vocal pedagogy, opera singing (Sibelius Academy Opera), or opera coaching and collaborative piano. Click here for Information about the Sibelius Academy’s new opera programme. Musical-dramatic expression is taught on all levels of vocal education.
The Sibelius Academy’s vocal teachers are among the top in their field; several are well-known performers. Exchange programmes and master classes regularly introduce international instructors to the programme. International networking is in fact an integral part of the activities, and the Sibelius Academy cooperates with several international institutes of education. Recently invited teachers include Teresa Berganza, Alessandro Amoretti, Kurt Equiluz, Hartmut Höll, opera improvisation group Impropera, Niel Mackie, Harry van der Kamp, Wilma Vernocchi, Anna Bergamo, Udo Reinemann, Susanna Eken, Larissa Gergijeva, Roger Vignoles, and Martin Katz. Internationally acclaimed Finnish singers, such as Monica Groop, Jorma Hynninen, Soile Isokoski, Tom Krause, and Karita Mattila have also enhanced the versatility of the instruction.

The Instructors of the Sibelius Academy can extend their teaching experience through assignments at partner universities, and the students have the opportunity to improve their skills as exchange students at international partner schools. Vocal students also participate, for instance, in the Biennial of Scandinavian and Baltic opera universities (the latest one in Helsinki in June 2011).
An opera coach is a versatile professional in vocal music.

The Sibelius Academy’s vocal music programme also educates opera coaches, important members of opera production teams. The coursework involves close cooperation between the opera and piano units. The focus lies on the knowledge of opera repertory, language and style studies, and interactive and networking skills necessary in professional life.