Art song festival takes on French theme this year
The classical version of “The Voice” opens on a French theme, complete with quiche and croissants, next weekend.
The Eighth Annual Vocal Artistry Art Song Festival: Mélodies Français will open at Albuquerque Academy with 50 to 75 singers competing for more than $8,000 in prizes. The final awards concert is scheduled for the Simms Auditorium on Sunday, April 30. All performances are free.
Art songs combine music and poetry. Founder/coordinator Jacqueline Zander-Wall launched the festival in 2008 with 52 singers and 12 awards. She included master classes, prize money and open auditions.
“Each year, we have a different language,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for the kids to learn and perform and share that with the community. I think it’s a nice passing of the torch to the kids.”
The languages rotate among Italian, German, English, French and Spanish.
The French chanson extends throughout multiple eras, Zander-Wall said.
“You have art songs from the baroque era to the Renaissance era to contemporary art songs.”
The singers range from age 12 to adults. Organizers recently added a noncompetitive adult division.
“They talk about their singing, and it’s very moving,” Zander-Wall said.
Last year, organizers added piano and vocal duos to the categories. This year features eight.
“The first one is a 12-year-old,”
Zander-Wall said. “They’ve all been paired by teachers. It’s important for singers to respect and cherish their pianists.”
The New Mexico Symphonic Chorus’ two youth choirs, the Bravo Chorus (grades 9 through 12) and the Bel Canto Choir (grades 4 to 6) also will sing.
“Whether they choose it as a career or just for enriching their lives, it’s important,” Zander-Wall said.
This year’s guest faculty list includes Sylvie Beaudette from the Eastman School of Music, Amy Pfrimmer from Tulane University, Brent McMunn from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, JeanneMichele Charbonnet from Texas Christian University and Martha Rowe, retired New Mexico State University professor, pianist and singer.