Community Engagement

Raise Your Voice 2022

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED, FUTURE DATE TO BE DETERMINED.

The day will have four major events - and the first requires your nominations. We are looking for well-prepared high school soloists to come and perform live at the Oakland Center Habitat at Oakland University. We want to celebrate soloists from across the state and to welcome them back to live performance. This is a particularly good opportunity for students who have prepared for MSVMA Solo and Ensemble, or for those who are planning to pursue a degree in music. Nominations must be submitted by January 7, 2022.

TO NOMINATE A STUDENT, PLEASE CLICK HERE: RAISE YOUR VOICE NOMINATION. If you have a video available, there will be a space to upload it in the form. We will choose 10-15 singers to come perform on campus and spend the day with us.

After our high school student showcase, we will then welcome International singing artist ZACHARY JAMES who was named Broadway World's "Vocalist and Performer of the Decade." He will offer a cabaret-style concert that is sure to ignite and inspire you and your students.

In the early evening, Mr. James will offer an open Master Class to our OU students. The benefits of attending Master Classes are many-- they offer an opportunity for younger students to actively listen, learn, and immediately observe the effects of high-level instruction. Comments often are on the nature of singing, and while specifically intended for the singer on the stage, they frequently can be useful to all vocal artists.

RAISE YOUR VOICE 2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
1 p.m. High School soloist showcase
2 p.m. Town Hall discussion "One Voice: What's the difference between beauty and function?"
with OU faculty and students
3:30 p.m. Zachary James Cabaret
6 p.m. Zachary James Open Master Class with Oakland University singers

We are proud to celebrate the vocal arts in Michigan and hope you come join us on campus on Sunday, January 23. All events are open to the public, admission is free, but advanced registration is required. REGISTER HERE: RAISE YOUR VOICE REGISTRATION.

ALL EVENTS WILL BE TAKING PLACE AT THE OAKLAND CENTER ON THE OU CAMPUS.

Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance presents: The 2022 Oakland University High School Jazz Festival

Saturday February 5th, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Flagstar Strand Theatre for The Performing Arts
12 North Saginaw Street Pontiac, MI 48342

Registration opening soon! If you're interested, please email smtdadmissions@oakland.edu.

The 2022 Oakland University High School Jazz Festival is an all inclusive musical experience for developing jazz ensembles to showcase their skills and talents. Participating ensembles will have the opportunity to workshop with OU Jazz Faculty on various jazz ensemble techniques and improvisational concepts. The festival will conclude with a performance from the OU Jazz Band following an awards ceremony for excellent ensemble performances. Potential awards include scholarships for outstanding ensemble members to the 2022 Oakland University Summer Jazz Intensive.

OU Jazz Faculty:
Tim Blackmon (Applied Jazz Trumpet, Assistant Jazz Coordinator, Director of OU Jazz Band)
Scott Gwinell (Applied Jazz Piano, Vocal Jazz Coordinator)
Marion Hayden (Applied Jazz Bass, Jazz Combo Coordinator)
Mark Kieme (Applied Jazz Saxophone)
Gayelynn McKinney (Applied Jazz Percussion)
Enrique Rios-Ellis (Flute/Musics of Latin America, Jazz Coordinator, Latin Jazz Combo Director)

Instructions For Ensemble Directors:
Eligible ensembles can range from a trio/combo, to a traditional sized big band. All participating  ensembles should prepare 3 contrasting pieces for their performance time slot. (15 minute  maximum) Please plan on bringing equipment necessary for the performance of your  ensemble. (guitar/bass amps, drums/cymbals, mutes, music, etc.)

NOMINATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED

For those who have been selected to participate in the OU 2021 High School Honors Orchestra, please register and pay the $40 dollar fee (includes t-shirt and dinner) here: High School Honors Orchestra 2021

(all selected students must show PROOF OF VACCINATION at check-in before chair placements)

When
November 19-21, 2021

Where
Varner Recital Hall at Oakland University
371 Varner Drive in Rochester, MI

Featuring
Oakland University 2021 High School Honors Orchestra will feature Zelijko (Bill) Milicevic, principal clinician and conductor in addition to OU String Faculty and members of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra.

SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS for Fall 2022 Admission to the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance (optional)
For any seniors who are looking at being a music major or minor at OU, we will be holding in-person scholarship auditions for the OU School of Music, Theatre and Dance before the festivities begin - Friday, November 19 beginning at 3:30 p.m. If you would like to audition, please email smtdadmissions@oakland.edu and put “OUHO Scholarship” in the subject line.

For scholarship auditions, be prepared to play two contrasting works from the following three choices: (1) a movement from a J.S. Bach solo sonata, partita or suite, or other Baroque work; (2) a movement from a 19th or 20th century sonata or concerto; (3) a work of the student’s choice.

Honors Orchestra Schedule

Friday, November 19
3:30 p.m. Scholarship Auditions (check in 3:00)
4:30 p.m. Check in for everyone else
5 – 6:45 p.m. – Chair Placement Auditions
7 – 9 p.m. – Rehearsal in Recital Hall (RH)

Saturday, November 20
4 – 5:15 p.m. – Sectional rehearsal with string faculty
5:15 – 6 p.m. – Pizza (provided)
6:15 – 8 p.m. – Rehearsal in RH

Sunday, November 21
2 p.m. - Dress Rehearsal for Strings in RH
2:30 p.m. - Dress Rehearsal for Strings and Winds in RH
4 p.m. - Concert on stage in RH

Questions? Contact Michelle Tschirhart at smtdadmissions@oakland.edu.

For a complete list of performances, visit oakland.edu/SMTD.

Presenting the Oakland University 2021 High School Honor Band.
NOMINATIONS AND AUDITIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED.

If you have been selected for the OU 2021 High School Honor Band, please register and pay the $30 fee (includes lunch and a t-shirt) here: Honors Band November 2021.

Please note, participants will need to show proof of vaccination at check in.

When: November 12-13, 2021

Where: Varner Recital Hall at Oakland University
371 Varner Drive in Rochester, MI

Featuring: Dr. Andrea Brown, Associate Director of Bands from the University of Maryland will serve as the weekend's guest conductor. Students will also work with Oakland University faculty and hear a short performance of the Oakland University Wind Symphony as part of the event. 

Optional Scholarship auditions for fall 2022 admission to the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance. For any seniors who are looking at being a music major or minor at OU, we will be holding in-person scholarship auditions for the OU School of Music, Theatre and Dance before the festivities begin - Friday, November 12 beginning at 5 p.m. If you would like to audition for the scholarship, please email smtdadmissions@oakland.edu and put “OUHB Scholarship” in the subject line.

For scholarship auditions, be prepared to play a movement of a sonata or concerto or two contrasting etudes.

Honor Band Schedule:

Friday, November 12
5 p.m.  Optional Oakland University Scholarship Auditions (Check-in 4:30)
6 p.m. Check-in for everyone else
6:30 p.m. Rehearsal begins
9 p.m. Rehearsal ends

Saturday, November 13
9 a.m. Rehearsal (arrive at 8:30)
11 a.m. Sectionals with OU Faculty
Noon Pizza Lunch provided by OU
12:45 p.m. Rehearsal
2:30 p.m. Break
3 p.m. Pre-concert rehearsal
3:30 p.m. Concert 

Questions? Contact Michelle Tschirhart at smtdadmissions@oakland.edu.

Saturday, November 20, 2021 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Varner Hall, Room 206

Register for Diversifying Your Stand & Building an Inclusive Program today! Diversifying Your Stand & Building an Inclusive Program is a professional development opportunity centered around expanding the repertoire we program, perform, and teach. The program's featured speaker, Ashley Killam, will guide participants in a discussion around building an inclusive practice and the best ways to weave diverse works into concerts. After exploring new composers and their music, attendees will collaborate to develop applicable inclusive concert programs. Participants will learn about invaluable resources, groups, and organizations that are active in the DEI fields and how to best implement them in daily practices. As educators, we will discuss the importance of commissioning and consortiums as an integral element to inclusivity in our program and the greater field of music.

This clinic is eligible for 5.25 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs.) You can pay for SCECHs here.

Oakland University Piano Day Competition, sponsored by Evola Music

Check back later for more information

Check back later for more information.

Announcing the OU Virtual Clarinet Solo and Ensemble Workshop with Dr. George Stoffan.

January 17, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST.

High School Clarinetists and any mixed instrument ensembles are invited to perform pieces in preparation for Solo and Ensemble, or any other audition or performance. Oakland University Clarinet Professor Dr. George Stoffan will present the workshop. Benefit from playing for the group and one-on-one tips from Dr. Stoffan.

The clinic will be held via Zoom.

Completely Virtual and free.

Register for the Virtual Clarinet Solo & Ensemble Workshop.

OU's Piano Area is honored to introduce the First Annual Piano Pedagogy Workshop
Sponsored by the Judd Family Endowed Fund
January 29 and 30, 2021

We welcome internationally renowned artists, including Helen Marlais, Logan Skelton and Robert Satterlee to present a series of lectures, masterclasses and concerts.

Teachers and pre-college students are invited to attend.

The clinic will be held via Zoom.

Completely virtual and FREE.

Register for the OU Piano Pedagogy Workshop here.

Schedule of Events:

January 29, 2021 Day 1 Presenter: Logan Skelton

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Logan Skelton Presentation
1 - 3:00 p.m.: Logan Skelton Masterclass
7:30 p.m.: Guest Concert

January 30, 2021 Day 2 Presenter: Helen Marlais

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Helen Marlais Masterclass with local pre-college students
1 - 3 p.m.: Helen Marlais Masterclass with OU students
7:30 p.m.: Solo Recital Presented by Robert Satterlee