Beyond The Stage

Each year, an increasing number of directors contact us looking for unique music education opportunities for their groups. Some directors are looking for a small-scale program to augment a trip that includes a music festival or public performance. Others are looking for an experience so meaningful that it actually replaces the performance component altogether.

Several attractions offer pre-designed educational packages that can be customized to fit the exact needs of your group:

Walt Disney World (Orlando) offers several workshops that can be scaled to the level of any ensemble. Here are some of the most popular:

Disney's Featured Performer – gives your group the unique opportunity to rehearse and perform with a select Walt Disney World® professional soloist. During the workshop, your students will interact with an established professional artist while learning the important career skills necessary within the industry. Your students will experience the demands of preparing one or more musical selections within a professional time frame. To create a special "Disney Magical Moment," your Disney soloist will join your group in an exciting Disney Magic Music Days performance at the Walt Disney World Resort. Audition is required.

Disney's Performance Fundamentals - uses innovative and exciting techniques to raise the level of your young/developing groups' musical performances. Your professional Disney clinician will explore the fundamentals of music: intonation, tone production, listening, style variations, and much more using unique Disney approaches. Your group's workshop culminates with a special "Disney Magical Moment."

Disney Sings - immerses your group into the world of the professional vocalist. Students will learn audition skills, warm up and voice-over techniques as they experience a fast paced recording environment. Students will examine the skills, attitudes and high expectations required for performance excellence. Your students will record an excerpt from a Disney animated feature film's soundtrack led by a professional Disney vocalist. Your students will experience the demands and exhilaration of live performance as they prepare the actual music and choreography from a Disney entertainment production number.

The Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts (New York) runs two programs that are a perfect fit for performing ensembles:

Meet The Artist Program – A leading artist from any style or genre including Broadway, jazz, opera, drama, dance, orchestral and more, provide a private, live performance and share exciting backstage stories with questions and answers along the way.

Master Class – Experience the exceptional craftsmanship of fabulous conductors/chorus masters/dance instructors/opera singers/actors/band leaders in a 90 minute Master Class!

Broadway.com (New York) offers several master classes that provide students with an insider's view of Broadway:

Broadway Instrumental Clinic - For high school bands and orchestras only - the Broadway Instrumental Clinic places your students directly in the world of a professional Broadway pit musician, playing for Broadway's best performers. Your students will sight read and prepare a special performance of a selected piece of Broadway music, provided by Music Theatre International. Working with a Broadway musician, students will not only strive for musical precision and excellence, but also will explore the relationship between composition/orchestration and story-telling on stage. After 90 minutes of work on the piece, your group will be joined by a Broadway performer, who will discuss interpretation of the material and then perform it, accompanied by your students!

Making Music - Especially for choral and vocal groups - work on a song with a Musical Director and sing with a working Broadway performer! Learn techniques of vocal dynamics and acting through song. Work on a piece of prepared music with a Music Director, then learn back-up vocals for a new piece and, finally, sing it with a working Broadway performer, followed by a question & answer session. This workshop does not include show-specific material.

In addition to pre-designed workshops and clinics, Director's Choice Tour & Travel can work with you to design a custom music education experience that is tailored to your group. You select the clinician, the venue, the date, and the content and we will coordinate all of the details on your behalf. The sky is the limit! We work with the top professional, military, and educational conductors and performers to provide your students with a life-changing experience.

If you would like to find out more information regarding music education experiences for your students, please contact us at (877) 328-2583.