Cueing to Music Spring 2020

The Cueing to Music course takes place over two days, Level 1 and Level 2. You may choose to attend either or both courses, please contact us if you are unsure which level is appropriate for you.

Course times and location

Level 1: Monday 16th March 2020, 9.30am – 4.30pm

Level 2: Monday 30th March 2020, 9.30am – 4.30pm

The Albany, Deptford, London SE8 4AG

Cueing to Music Level 1

Course Aim

To enable a potential DSM or Showcaller, one without musical knowledge, to Q from musical scores and thus feel confident enough to undertake such work with opera, musical and ballet companies.

Course Objectives

  1. To examine the basic elements of musical notation and the function of piano reductions in relation to the rehearsal process.
  2. To understand how singers, as opposed to actors, impact on the role of a DSM/Showcaller
  3. To undertake Qing exercises numerous and    complex enough to instil confidence.
  4. To simulate a music test at opera company level

Course content

Session 1: The Building Blocks

  1. Music, Sound and Pitch
  2. Notation
  3. Rhythm
  4. First Cueing Test

Coffee break

Session 2: Wider still and wider…

  1. The Orchestra
  2. Dynamics
  3. Tempi

Session 3: Second Cueing Test

LUNCH

Session 4: ‘I See a Voice’… adding the singer to the picture

Session 5: Major Challenges

Session 6: Simulated opera company music test in real time

Session 7: Summary

Cueing to Music Level 2

Course Aim

To enable a potential DSM or Showcaller, one with basic musical knowledge and understanding, to cue from complex and problematic music scores with confidence.

Course Objectives

  1. To reinforce understanding of musical counting and notation.
  2. To practice cueing from music with unusual time signatures.
  3. To simulate performance issues with a mixture of Musical Qs, visual Qs and clearances.
  4. To simulate a demanding music test at opera company level

Session 1 Qing at a Standard

Coffee break

Session 2 Qing at speed

Session 3  Simulating a demanding opera company music test in real time

Lunch

Session 4  Where’s the Beat? Cueing from unusual and/or irregular rhythms

Session 5  Impossible Music

Coffee break

Session 6  Higher Stakes When you have to look away from the music…

Session 7  The Battle of Borodino

Cost

Low member rates held for the second year!

The rate for EACH course is:

SMA Members only Early Bird £115 – pay before 6th March 2020! (20th March 2020 for Level 2)
SMA Members Standard £130
Non-SMA Members £150

The discounted rate for booking BOTH Level 1 and Level 2 courses together is (5% additional discount):

SMA Members only Early Bird £218.50 – pay before 6th March 2020!
SMA Members Standard £247.00
Non-SMA Members £290.00

Reserve your place

Contact the SMA Office for your booking form, the please then email the completed booking form back to the SMA Office and you will be sent an invoice.