Holden Voice Program 2021-2022
Students participating in the Harvard Choruses receive individual, subsidized voice lessons with one of seven master artist-teachers. In addition to the subsidized lessons, singers also benefit from performance opportunities & collaborations where they can apply what they've studied and share their vocal and artistic growth with a wider audience!
You must be a member of the Harvard Choruses in order to participate in the Holden Voice Program.
Lesson Information
LOCATION & PACKAGE
- Lessons are given on campus in Memorial Hall, following current Harvard University CO-VID 19 precautions. However, lessons may move online at the discretion of the singer, teacher, and program director.
- The standard lesson package is ten (10) 45-minute lessons per semester. Singers and teachers can decide what best supports their goals and request an alternate package if needed.
- Singers will be able to decide on their final lesson package after receiving their HVP Subsidy Award notification.
COST & Subsidies
- The HVP lesson rate is $96/hr. All HVP singers receive financial assistance for the cost of lessons, generously provided by the alumni of the Harvard Glee Club Foundation, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum Foundation, and Radcliffe Choral Society Foundation, as well as the Harvard Choruses themselves.
- HVP Subsidy Awards will be distributed on a sliding scale. The financial assistance goals (up to $720 per semester) are as follows:
- College students on financial aid: at least 50% coverage
College students not on financial aid: 10-50% coverage
Graduate students: up to 50% coverage
- College students on financial aid: at least 50% coverage
- Students on financial aid are also eligible for additional assistance through the Music Lesson Subsidy Program, run by the Office for the Arts. This is a separate award, distributed later in the semester, that can be used to reimburse singers for their personal contributions. Click here for updates on the Music Lesson Subsidy Program.
Teachers
- There are seven Holden Voice Program instructors, all considered master artist-teachers within the field. See below for their bios!
- You can also study with a prior or outside teacher off-campus.
Performance Opportunities
- Studio Classes: singers from the same studio perform for each other without an outside audience, receive feedback from their peers and instructor, and get a chance to work on aspects of their performance. These will be both in-person and online.
- Masterclasses: A professional singer will work with 3-4 student singers, giving immediate feedback on their performance in various settings. Fellow singers in the audience benefit from the guidance of the master teacher, applying it to their own technique, and also provide encouragement for their performing colleagues.
- Formal Recitals: Singers perform memorized solo and chamber repertoire with an accompanist in a formal setting open to the public. This includes the Senior Showcases.
How to Join
1. Meet the Teachers & TAKE A TRIAL LESSON
- HVP Instructor Video Introductions: will be made available for viewing on September 8th.
- You can email a teacher directly to inquire about studio availability and sign up for trial lessons. (See Teacher bios above.)
- Trial Lessons: will be held during the week of September 13th. Harvard Choruses singers who are interested in voice lessons can take a 30-minute trial lesson with an HVP teacher at no cost to them. (Up to 2)
3. Fill out the registration form
- Fill out this HVP Registration Form by Sunday, September 19th at 12:00pm (ET). This includes your requests for financial aid, teacher, etc.
- If you are a College student on financial aid, the MLSP Application from the Office for the Arts is due the following day, on Monday, September 20th at 12:00pm NOON. In order to receive maximum financial support, you should fill out BOTH applications.
- Your HVP Subsidy Award will be determined that afternoon; a delay in returning the registration form could affect your award amount.
- Once you have received your HVP Subsidy Award notification, you should confirm your lesson package & lesson times with your teacher.
4. Enroll in lessons
- Fall Semester lessons begin the week of September 20th and end on December 3rd.
- Official enroll in lessons by Sunday, September 26th by signing this HVP Student Agreement.
questions?
If you have any questions pertaining to the Holden Voice Program, please email Liz Eschen at eschen@fas.harvard.edu. We look forward to hearing you and being a part of your vocal journey!
"It's been really special to take lessons through HVP, and I've been given the opportunities to explore through voice lessons and new tools to bring with me to RCS. Taking voice lessons has also allowed me to stay in touch with experiences from home while also helping me forge new ones here, in the Harvard community. Aside from working on vocal technique, I've also been working on a long journey with music, nerves, and expression with Liz, and I'm so grateful to have this opportunity made available and accessible to me through HVP!"
- Lily Xu, RCS '20
- Lily Xu, RCS '20
