Leading music teachers and educators from Australia and South-East Asia are honing their skills at UQ’s internationally renowned Summer Music Program.
Now in its ninth year, the Summer Music Program is an initiative of the music education staff within the School of Music and is directed by Dr James Cuskelly.
Dr Cuskelly said the program provided intensive in-service training for more than 150 music educators in the areas of early childhood, primary and secondary classroom music education.
“The 2009 program features a special jazz section for secondary students led by Hungarian music educator Mónika Benedek, and a vocal program led by Joseph Ward O.B.E, including sessions in operatic excerpts, aria and lieder singing, and ensemble work,” he said.
“Mr Ward is currently vocal consultant to The Royal College of Music in London and voice lecturer at UQ.
“Ms Benedek and Hungarian guest lecturer Balázs Csernyik, along with School of Music lecturer Réka Csernyik, bring their particular skills gained within the Hungarian music education system to the summer program.”
Dr Cuskelly said all three are graduates of the prestigious Hungarian Music Conservatorium, the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, having gained their Masters in Music Education and Choral Conducting.
“Students in the program’s Opera Masterclasses are benefiting from the talents of acclaimed tenor Rosario La Spina, who is quickly establishing a distinguished career as an international opera performer, while students in the lieder section are gaining skills from specialist lieder performer and UQ staff member Shaun Brown,” he said.
Dr Cuskelly said the program would culminate with the Summer Music School concert to be held on Friday, January 16, at 6pm, at the All Hallows’ School Chapel.
The free hour-long concert will feature the women’s choir, mixed choir and secondary students choir performing sacred song, Hungarian folk songs, Australian composers and some jazz, while the vocal program singers present opera and lieder excerpts.
Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)
