Song as a Second Language

Song As A Second Language is the education outreach project of JOY IN SINGING and was launched in 2002 with the express purpose of introducing classical art song to young children from kindergarten age to eleven years old. Concerned educators, scholars and parents have already written extensively on the profound importance and ramifications of a child's exposure to the arts. In these difficult times, however, we have also taken as our watchword the sentiment of Leonard Bernstein:
"Our response to violence is to make music more
beautifully and more intensely than ever."

Mission statement: The most fundamental goal of this project is to encourage children to become aurally literate. While this wide phrase includes all manner of classical music, the specific goal of Joy In Singing would be to introduce the international art song to the school- aged child. The value we place on this effort is based on our belief that art is an inestimable tool for self discovery and growth and that the art song, in particular, is a passion that brings joy, beauty and insight to the human soul. We want to ignite that passion in children.

For further information:
Contact program director Eunice Poulos at 914-476-7149.

Joy In Singing Music Sessions

Singers please note: auditions for the music sessions will next be held during the fall of 2010. We encourage you to attend the 2010 winter/spring sessions to get a feel for the artistic level we seek.

The Music Sessions are held each year at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts in Bruno Walter Auditorium. The sessions are designed to help singers polish repertoire for performance and address issues of style, delivery, artistry, language use and the ability to communicate with an audience. The Music Sessions participants are chosen from a field of over 200 applicants screened each fall. Singers chosen for participation present 2-3 songs in the  sessions, and are usually asked to finish with an encore selection. Artists demonstrating the most advanced level of performance readiness are invited to participate in an adjudicated final presentation. The winner receives a debut recital in Merkin Hall in New York City, and a recording session (which must include some art song) from  Sean Swinney studios in New York City. The 2010 sessions will be held on January 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17; the adjudication round is scheduled for April 7. Admission is free to all.
NOTE: True recitalists are rare. The adjucdicating committee is not obligated to award the solo prize if none of the finalists are deemed ready for a solo evening program.

Song Salon    

A return to the roots of the art song experience: a gathering of music-makers and music-lovers in intimate surroundings.  Song Salon offers an opportunity to hear these songs as they were meant to be heard; it nurtures direct, immediate communication between artists and listeners, instead of the impersonal, distancing feeling of a large modern concert hall.  A reception with refreshments following each performance gives the artists and guests a chance to mingle and exchange ideas the music generates.

We are actively looking for venues for the coming season. Please contact  SongSalon program director Maria Fattore if you can provide a space large enough to accomodate at least 25 guests. Your piano should be of performance quality and maintained on a regular basis. We will be happy to provide you with expressive artists for an unforgettable experience unattainable in a large concert hall!

The Annual Composers' Concert

The Composers’ Concert features the works of contemporary composers working in the art song compositional form, This concert is introduces today's audience to the enormous variety contained in the American song canon by showcasing established composers with a significant body of work and/or highlighting the work of promising new compositional talent. Please join us on February 13, 2010 at Bruno Walter Auditorium. This concert is recession proof-- admission is free of charge! We hope to see you there.