Stefaniensaal Meistersinger Competition 2005 Jennifer Jones and David Jones

Meistersinger Competition AIMS 2005 Conductor: Edoardo Müller

This Summer I attended the opera studio program with the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. The two pictures above are from the Meistersinger Konzert in the Stefaniensaal. This is the most beautiful hall I have ever had the honor of singing in. 47 singers entered the Meistersinger competition, 24 made it to the semi-finals, and 10 to the finals. I was very excited, and honored to perform in the finals. I won an encouragement award from AIMS which included a certificate of appreciation and $100.00 award. I was also gifted with 50 Euro (about $60.00) from the former Governor of Steirermark.

Performing in Austria is an experience I will never forget! The people are wonderful! The AIMS program is a valuable program to young singers everywhere! I highly recommend it for aspiring opera singers. The amount of information you have access to in regard to the Austrian opera system as well as the chance to sing for agents while you are in residence is invaluable. Each singer has 2 voice lessons a week, 2 vocal coaching sessions , 1 stage artistry (interpretation) class, audition training seminar (where you practice the fine art of auditioning in German and English), and German classes daily. Not to mention individual diction coaching sessions as requested.

There were 108 singers at AIMS this summer. 100 were sopranos. The competition for performance opportunities is fierce. However, the faculty provide many opportunities to the singers through out the city. From performances in beautiful Hotels in Graz, Monday evening AIMS recitals, and full orchestral performances, there is never a lack of concerts or events to attend or perform in.

I performed in the Italian opera evening at the Erzherzog hotel, the Italian opera evening with orchestra in the Helmut-List Halle, and the Meistersinger Concert. I would like to extend my appreciation to all of the contributions that made this trip a reality. Without your help I would have never had the chance to go.

The American Institute of Musical Studies is held each summer in Graz, Austria. AIMS provides an excellent opportunity for aspiring opera singers to work on their performing skills and dramatic technique. The program consists of classes in German diction, voice coaching, aria coaching, and stage artistry.