| New Term September 2011 |
| Changes in curriculum and pricing this year |
| End of Term Concert 2010 |
| Images from the End of Year Concert at Bel Canto |
| New Classes for September 2009 |
We believe that all children, given the right training at the right time, can learn to read, write and enjoy music, sing in tune and if they wish, play an instrument. While acknowledging that some children have special musical gifts, to be successful in music, training should start at an early age and the earlier the better! The voice, which is freely accessible to all, is the first and most important instrument, and therefore all training should begin with singing. It is vital that any young child should have at least some preparatory training in pitch and rhythm, have their inner hearing developed and become acquainted with even the most basic aspects of music notation before taking up an instrument. Our Classes take the young singer on a wonderful adventure where their sense of pitch and rhythm is developed alongside the training of the inner ear. Basic music concepts such as high/low, loud/soft, fast/slow are introduced but always within the framework of age appropriate games and activities. The training of the inner ear is the core of the instrumental approach. This develops the child's capacity for internal listening so that the child can visualise the notes being heard and auralise the notation seen on the page.
The 2009 classes aim to provide;
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New Classes for Adults - Starting 9/05/09 - 20/06/09 'Singing Essentials' Level 1 Beginners 'Love Your Voice' Level 2 6 Week Courses in Vocal Technique |
If you love Singing, then knowing how to get the best from your voice can be very empowering and enjoyable. This course is designed to give you the ‘essential’ skills needed for good singing such as improving your breath control, extending your vocal range and strengthening your voice. What you will learn…...Over the 6 week course, you will learn how to:- breathe to support your singing voice; project your voice safely; extend your vocal range; build up stamina and strength in your voice; sing with a rich, warm tone and learn new songs. You will not be asked to sing by yourself unless you wish to, but through a range of physical and vocal exercises along with some musical games, the classes will be challenging but great fun! Level 2 builds on skills learnt on Level 1 and offers singers more 1-1 tutoring and performance opportunities. Course Fees & Enrolment DetailsThese Adult Classes starts on Saturday 9th May and will run until Saturday 20th June 2009. The Level 2 Classes will run from 9.30 – 11.00am, with the Level 1 Class starting at 12.30pm to 1.30pm, on Saturdays weekly. Participants benefit from regular attendance as we build on essential core skills learned each week. Regular attendance will enhance your learning experience and enjoyment of the course. There will NO CLASS on 23rd May’09, but we look forward to welcoming back Prof. Paul Deegan for a Master Class workshop on 30th May. The Term will end with a final student concert on 20th June 09. Adult Level 2 ‘Love Your Voice’ Course Fee: £80.00 Time: 9.30 – 11.00am Includes all learning materials as well as a Master Class with Prof. Paul Deegan. Click Here to Sign UpFees can be paid at the 1st class and cheques should be payable to M O’Sullivan.
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NEW TERM BEGINS SATURDAY 10TH JANUARY 2009 - REVISED TIMES PLEASE NOTE BELOW
Review of Bel Canto School Coffee & Carols Concert - 6th December 2009 |
Parents, friends and family members of our students packed into the Belmont Tower Coffee Shop on the 6th December for the Bel Canto School of Singing's first end of term concert. We opened the short concert with the well known' COFFEE' round which warmed up the voices of our singers beautifully then our Junior School gave us a lovely rendition of the Howard Goodall piece from the Vicar of Dibley - 'The Lord is my Shepherd' - which was the set piece at this year's Holywood Music Festival. Each of our young singers aged between 12 - 13 yrs, sang individual lines with great confidence and assurance and really enjoyed performing this piece. Chris McGuigan from the Senior School then gave a very fine performance of one of the arie antiche, 'Caro mio Ben' by Giordani with which he had won the Tenor Solo at Holywood Festival. Karine Wilson then gave us a stunning unaccompanied performance of 'She Moved through the Fair' and she used her beautiful voice to great effect in the song creating a wonderful atmosphere. Karen Thompson followed with a very charming and technically demanding performance of 'Poor Wandring One' from Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Karen had worked very hard to get this piece ready for the festival and suceeded in winning 3rd prize at the Light Opera/Musical Theatre class also at Holywood Music Festival. This section of the concert finished with Chris singing 'Marry Me' for the little known musical, The Rink by Kander & Ebb and all the ladies in the audience were won over by his lovely performance. Our concer then took a more seasonal turn and we were treated to some lovely carols followed by a few well known but more secular songs to get us all in the mood for Christmas. The youngest student in the Senior School, Rebecca Gilliland opended with a vocalise of the melody of 'Away in a Manger' and was then joined by Karine Wilson for the remaining verses with other students providing the harmonies. Emma O'Dornan then gave us the very beautiful 'It came upon the Midnight Clear' then we were all treated to 'Silent Night' first sung in the original German by Karne, in Irish by Emma and then joined by the whole school in the well known English version. After that, we all joined in singing other well known Christmas Songs such as 'Santa Claus is coming to Town' and 'Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas' amongst others and various harmonies and descants improvised by the students. All of which our audience thoroughly enjoyed and showed their appreciation in their enthusiastic applause. We wish to thank our wonderful accompanist for the morning, Mr Daniel O'Neill, our Head of Junior School, Mrs Elizabeth Drwal- Stuttard for the excellent preparation of her students as well as the Staff at the Belmont Tower Coffee Shop for all their help and co-operation. |
Launch of Bel Canto School a Resounding Success
| The Free Singing Lesson! |
Despite the rain, over a hundred parents, students and teachers crowded into Belmont Tower for the launch of the Bel Canto School of Singing on Saturday last. Before the offical launch, we were treated to 3 solo performances from Marie's Carrickfergus Grammar School Students where Marie has been group teaching for just over 2 years.
Sarah Armstrong gave a beautiful rendition of 'O Tell me Nightingale' by Lehman, followed by Sarah Nelson with Britten's arrangement of 'O can ye sew cushions' which showed off her interpretative skills and rich vocal quality. Susan Graham then sang for us Pergolesi's 'Se tu m'ami' - a favourite amongst students. She conveyed the story of the shepherd with poise and some lovely Italian vowels. They were sensitively accompanied by their Head of Music at Carrickfergus Grammar School, Mr Edward Craig .
At 11.00am, Noel Thompson welcomed everyone to Belmont Tower and reminisced about his school days there. As a keen singer himself, Noel was most supportive of this new initiative for the many talented young voices here in Belfast and Northern Ireland. Noel then introduced Prof. Colette McGahon who had travelled up from Dublin Conservatory of Music at DIT and who also has been Vocal Tutor on the Ulster Youth Choir Summer School for a number of years now. Colette is a highly experienced performer and teacher and she emphasised the importance of good tuition from the outset for young singers, most especially if they are considering singing professionally. Colette has seen first hand how some gifted singers have had to spend 2 years of a 4 year degree course un-learning unhelpful vocal habits and she was delighted to fully endorse the work of Elizabeth and Marie at the Bel Canto School of Singing.
Amy Harper, (18) who has been studying singing with Marie from aged 13 yrs., spoke about how much her lessons have helped her with confidence in all other areas of her life. She was also most appreciative of the opportunities that workshops and Master Classes with Tosini had given her. Amy played ' Peggy Sawyer' in 42nd Street last year and will take the lead,' Maria' in West Side Story at the GOH Belfast this Autumn, and again in Galway, just 3 weeeks later. Amy will be going to London next year to study drama and musical theatre.
Then it was time for Elizabeth and Marie to put everyone through their paces in the participative singing lessons which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. There was some wonderful resounding singing and lots of giggles and laughs when we got the actions wrong!
Elizabeth and Marie would like to thank all their family, friends, colleagues and students who came along to help out and support them at the launch, including NvTv who filmed the whole thing and Connor from BBC Radio Ulster who recorded it for the Sounds Classical programme that goes out on Sunday evenings. They would most particularly like to thank Christine Courtney, young Cal and husband Roger, who had been a terrific help with PR and advice as well as the lovely Stanley and Mo Matchett for their superb photographs.
Official Launch of the Bel Canto School of Singing Sat. 6th Sept., 2008 at 11.00am
You are most welcome to come along to the launch of our School on Saturday 6th September 2008 at Belmont Tower. Enrolment and short informal interviews will take place from 10.30am onwards the official launch will be at 11.00am.
We are delighted that the launch will be compered by music lover Mr Noel Thompson who went to school at Belmont Tower. He will be joined by renowned Irish Mezzo-Soprano and Ulster Youth Choir Tutor, Ms. Colette McGahon along with Opera Now and The Singer Magazine's Editor Ms. Antonia Couling who is travelling over from London especially for this event.There will be an opportunity prospective students to meet the Tutors, chat about enrolment at the School, get a free Singing Lesson and have a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit, so please do come along.
See you there!