Collaborative Piano

When applying, students are encouraged to choose an area of emphasis for the summer. In most cases, the chosen area does not restrict the student’s activities during the program, as students are encouraged to explore according to their interests and abilities (i.e., an “instrumentally focused” student may wish to participate in some of the art song performances).  

Instrumental and Vocal Collaboration: Pianists choosing Instrumental and Vocal Collaboration will explore a range of duo repertoire (sonatas, songs, concertos, etc.), having plentiful performance opportunities with their instrumental and vocal partners. If interested, they may also participate in the Aspen Chamber Music program, which provides additional coachings and performance opportunities. Pianists will have the opportunity to play in lessons and masterclasses with the Aspen instrumental and AOTVA (Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS) artist-faculty and visiting guest artists. Mentored in weekly private coachings by Cameron Stowe, Collaborative Piano fellows will also have access each week to individual coachings with numerous experts in this field, including Anton Nel, Myra Huang, Pierre Vallet, Kenneth Merrill, and the festival's roster of collaborative coaches. See list below. 

Performance opportunities include a series of Art Song Showcase concerts, Duo Sonata Recitals, and the Opera Encounters Series. Individual performance opportunities will be assigned according to each pianist’s indicated interests. (For example, a pianist requesting a stronger vocal interest will have more song/opera opportunities than sonata/concerto projects.) Opportunities to play keyboard parts with Aspen’s orchestras may also be available for interested pianists.  

The roster of pianists with whom Instrumental and Vocal Collaborative fellows may have coachings with include: 

Opera Coaching is under the joint auspices of the Collaborative Piano and Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS Programs mentored by AOTVA Program co-artistic director Patrick Summers, and director of musical administration and head coach, Myra Huang. Collaborative pianists with an opera coaching emphasis may also have the opportunity to audition for Young Artist Programs and other industry artists. Opera coaches will work with singers on the operatic repertoire and will be répétiteurs for mainstage opera productions, master classes, and auditions. Opera coaches may also be assigned choral opportunities as they arise.  

Orchestral Piano: Pianists who choose the Orchestral Piano emphasis will have many opportunities to perform with the Aspen Music Festival and School orchestras, working under resident and visiting guest conductors. These pianists will also be able to participate in weekly coachings and activities listed above (Instrumental and Vocal Collaboration) depending on their areas of interest.  

Collaborative Piano students can accompany performance classes, private studio lessons, and Spotlight Recitals. Accompanying time varies; however, students spend upwards of 10 hours per week participating in various activities. This program is offered for the Full Session only and all students receive fellowships. Please see our Fellowship and Financial Assistance page to learn more.

Deadlines vary by emphasis. See Application Fees and Deadlines. All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for the opportunity to advance to a live audition. The video audition should include the following. 

• Instrumental and Vocal Collaboration
  • At least one movement from a standard Classical OR Romantic duo sonata (recorded with an instrumentalist)
  • At least two contrasting songs of the applicant's choice (recorded with a singer) 
• Opera Coaching
  • Part or all of an opera scene with applicant singing vocal lines
  • Scales and arpeggios in all keys
• Orchestral Piano
  • The complete thirteen-member version of Copland's Appalachian Spring OR Danse Russe (Russian Dance) from Stravinsky's Petrushka (recorded without orchestra)
  • A movement from a duo sonata OR an art song of the applicant's choice

Applicants being considered for admission will be invited to audition live. Invited pianists may choose to attend their audition in person or participate virtually through Zoom.  

All applicants will be required to sight read and complete an interview in addition to preparing the following repertoire by emphasis. 

INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL COLLABORATION  

Applicants are required to provide their own collaborator for live auditions. Applicants for in-person auditions can bring their own collaborator or hire a musician from a roster to be available by December 20.

• Choose one of the following orchestral reductions: 
  • TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35, Mvt. 1 
  • MOZART: Violin Concerto no. 5, Mvt. 1  
  • STRAVINSKY: No word from Tom (The Rake’s Progress)   
  • MOZART: Temerari...Come scoglio (Cosi fan tutte)   
• 20–25 minutes chosen from the following sonatas (must include at least one movement from Group A and at least song from Group C and one from Group D). 
  • Group A: 
    BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 5
    BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 7 
  • Group B:
    BRAHMS: Violin Sonata in A Major (1st and/or 2nd mvt.)
    FRANCK: Violin Sonata (1st and/or 2nd mvt.)
  • Group C (in original high keys): 
    SCHUBERT, Ganymed 
    SCHUBERT, Im Frühling 
  • Group D (in original high keys):
    DEBUSSY, Green 
    STRAUSS, Cäcilie  

Note: Works comparable to the required repertoire above may be substituted with advance permission. 

OPERA COACHING   

Applicants are required to provide their own collaborator for live auditions. Applicants for in-person auditions can bring their own collaborator or hire a musician from a roster to be available by October 20. 

• Applicants will sing and play the following: 
  • Puccini’s La Bohème, Act I (beginning of act until Benoît’s entrance) 
  • Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Act Two Finale (beginning until Antonio’s entrance)  
  • Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, Composer’s Aria 
  • Mozart, one secco recit of applicant’s choice   
• Applicants will play two songs from the following list. 
  • DEBUSSY: Green  
  • STRAUSS: Cäcilie  
  • SCHUBERT: Ganymed

ORCHESTRAL PIANO  

• Solo work of your choice 
• The complete 13-member version of Copland's Appalachian Spring 
• Danse Russe (Russian Dance) from Stravinsky's Petrushka
• OPTIONAL: Applicants may also submit—in addition to the requirements above—a video or audio recording of a live performance with orchestra for Appalachian Spring and/or Petrushka.