Future musicians have the opportunity to learn new and improve their existing skills

In action. Jūlija Sokolova, concertmaster of Dzērbene general education and music elementary school (from left), 4th-year student of the vocal department of Cēsu Music Secondary School, Adele Jakoviča, and soloist of the Latvian National Opera, Artjoms Safronovs. PHOTO: from the album

“These master classes are part of a series of events that we conduct as a methodical center. This time it was the development of vocal and stage skills of young singers and the professional development of concertmasters,” says Ija Groza, methodologist of the institution, about the event held on April 15 at the Alfred Kalniņas Cēsa Music High School.

“This time, we tried a new format – in one room, in one place, master classes of both vocal skills and concert master skills took place, because both areas cannot exist without each other. Latvian National Opera soloist Artjoms Safronovs and concertmaster Ilze Ozoliņa visited us for master classes. Artjom worked with vocalists, Ilze – with concertmasters who accompanied the singers. Both professionals gave advice on how to improve, how to improve performances, how to promote cooperation. In this master class, the emphasis was not on vocal performance and technique, but on cooperation with the audience – how emotions, feelings are presented, how cooperation is formed, how the listener is addressed,” continues I. Groza.

During the master classes, it was clearly visible how the students start their performance in one way, but, taking into account the advice and recommendations of professionals, finish it completely differently, admits I.Groza. “Artjoms is also a teacher of the Latvian Academy of Music, he has a lot of experience in the field of pedagogy,” says the methodologist.

The master classes were attended by students from the Music High School and the Children’s Music School, as well as one student from the Valmiera Music School. The vocalists learned the skills to apply new techniques and understand music. Special attention was paid to the development of stage skills, insight into acting skills, freedom of movement on stage and partner play. Concertmasters listened to recommendations and practical advice for successful cooperation between concertmaster and soloist in the preparation and performance of a stage performance.
“Teachers from our school also participated in the masterclasses, but any concert master was invited, and educators from Dzerbene, Alūksne, Valmiera, and other Cēsis institutions participated,” says I. Groza, adding that many educators appreciate such an opportunity and cooperation. “We received feedback from both students and teachers that the master classes turned out to be very high quality, inspiring, and also very useful. We try to organize these methodical days for all specialties studied at our educational institution.”

In the second half of April, the school also held a methodical day for pianists under the leadership of Vent Zilberts, professor of the Latvian Academy of Music.