Holden Voice Program 2023-2024
THE PROGRAM
At the Harvard Choruses, we believe that choral music and voice study go hand-in-hand, and the Holden Voice Program lives at the intersection of that belief. Singers today need sustainable, cross-genre, functional training that prepares their instrument for demands ranging from choral rehearsal to a cappella jams, MT tech weeks to HCO auditions; training that allows for the steady development, self-knowledge, and certainly, celebration of one’s unique voice.
Students participating in the Harvard Choruses receive individual, subsidized voice lessons with one of our master artist-teachers. In addition to the subsidized lessons, singers also benefit from performance opportunities where they can apply what they've studied and share their vocal and artistic growth with a wider audience.
Please note that you must be an active member of the Harvard Choruses in order to participate in the Holden Voice Program.
At the Harvard Choruses, we believe that choral music and voice study go hand-in-hand, and the Holden Voice Program lives at the intersection of that belief. Singers today need sustainable, cross-genre, functional training that prepares their instrument for demands ranging from choral rehearsal to a cappella jams, MT tech weeks to HCO auditions; training that allows for the steady development, self-knowledge, and certainly, celebration of one’s unique voice.
Students participating in the Harvard Choruses receive individual, subsidized voice lessons with one of our master artist-teachers. In addition to the subsidized lessons, singers also benefit from performance opportunities where they can apply what they've studied and share their vocal and artistic growth with a wider audience.
Please note that you must be an active member of the Harvard Choruses in order to participate in the Holden Voice Program.
LESSON INFORMATION
Lessons are usually given on campus in Memorial Hall and the Music Building; lessons may be online at the discretion and preference of the student and teacher.
The standard lesson package is eight (8) 45-minute lessons per semester; if desired, students are able to adjust lesson length/amount in order to fit their goals and commitment level.
COST & SUBSIDIES: The HVP lesson rate is $100/hr.
Through the HVP Subsidy Program, singers receive substantial 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.
College students on financial aid are eligible for additional assistance through the Music Lesson Subsidy Program, run by the Office for the Arts. This is a separate award, distributed mid-semester, which reimburses singers for their personal contributions. Click here to learn more about the Music Lesson Subsidy Program.
HVP Subsidy Awards are distributed on a sliding scale, determined by the need demonstrated in the HVP Registration Form. Financial assistance goals are as follows:
Lessons are usually given on campus in Memorial Hall and the Music Building; lessons may be online at the discretion and preference of the student and teacher.
The standard lesson package is eight (8) 45-minute lessons per semester; if desired, students are able to adjust lesson length/amount in order to fit their goals and commitment level.
COST & SUBSIDIES: The HVP lesson rate is $100/hr.
Through the HVP Subsidy Program, singers receive substantial 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.
College students on financial aid are eligible for additional assistance through the Music Lesson Subsidy Program, run by the Office for the Arts. This is a separate award, distributed mid-semester, which reimburses singers for their personal contributions. Click here to learn more about the Music Lesson Subsidy Program.
HVP Subsidy Awards are distributed on a sliding scale, determined by the need demonstrated in the HVP Registration Form. Financial assistance goals are as follows:
- College students on financial aid (medium to very high) : 50%-100% coverage (with both HVP and MLSP awards)
- College students not on financial aid (very low to medium): 0-50% coverage
- Graduate students (low to medium): up to 50% coverage
TEACHERS
We have eleven Holden Voice Program instructors, all considered master artist-teachers within the field. To meet the HVP teacher team, visit their bios in the "Meet Our HVP Teachers" page, or watch the HVP Introduction Video (available here the week of September 11th.)
You can also study with a prior teacher or teacher off-campus.
We have eleven Holden Voice Program instructors, all considered master artist-teachers within the field. To meet the HVP teacher team, visit their bios in the "Meet Our HVP Teachers" page, or watch the HVP Introduction Video (available here the week of September 11th.)
You can also study with a prior teacher or 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 can be both in-person and online.
Masterclasses: A master artist-teacher 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.
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 can be both in-person and online.
Masterclasses: A master artist-teacher 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.
REGISTRATION (FALL 2023)
We’d love to have you join us in the Holden Voice Program! Here are the steps:
MEET THE TEACHERS
Visit the "Meet Our HVP Teachers" page above to read about the experience & teaching philosophies of our artist-teachers. You can email a teacher directly to inquire about studio availability and sign up for a trial lesson.
TAKE A TRIAL LESSON
Trial Lessons will be held during the week of September 18, 2023. Any new or returning Harvard Choruses singer who is interested in voice lessons can take a 30-minute trial lesson with an HVP teacher at no cost to them. (Up to 2 per singer)
FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM (non-binding)
If you are interested in lessons, you should fill out the HVP Registration Form (see the "Register for the Holden Voice Program" page below), which also acts as your application for the HVP Subsidy Award. You do not need to have a teacher yet; the Program Administrator will assist as needed with that. Filling out the Registration Form does not bind you to lessons; the HVP Student Agreement does that (see "Enroll" below.)
Registration Form Deadline: Monday, September 25th at 12:00pm (ET). Early forms are accepted and encouraged!
IMPORTANT NOTE for College Students on Financial Aid: The OFA’s MLSP Application is due at the same time. In order to receive maximum financial support, you should fill out BOTH applications, ON TIME. This application is for the entire year; if you think you may want to study in the spring only, you should still fill it out!
ENROLL IN LESSONS
We’d love to have you join us in the Holden Voice Program! Here are the steps:
MEET THE TEACHERS
Visit the "Meet Our HVP Teachers" page above to read about the experience & teaching philosophies of our artist-teachers. You can email a teacher directly to inquire about studio availability and sign up for a trial lesson.
TAKE A TRIAL LESSON
Trial Lessons will be held during the week of September 18, 2023. Any new or returning Harvard Choruses singer who is interested in voice lessons can take a 30-minute trial lesson with an HVP teacher at no cost to them. (Up to 2 per singer)
FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM (non-binding)
If you are interested in lessons, you should fill out the HVP Registration Form (see the "Register for the Holden Voice Program" page below), which also acts as your application for the HVP Subsidy Award. You do not need to have a teacher yet; the Program Administrator will assist as needed with that. Filling out the Registration Form does not bind you to lessons; the HVP Student Agreement does that (see "Enroll" below.)
Registration Form Deadline: Monday, September 25th at 12:00pm (ET). Early forms are accepted and encouraged!
IMPORTANT NOTE for College Students on Financial Aid: The OFA’s MLSP Application is due at the same time. In order to receive maximum financial support, you should fill out BOTH applications, ON TIME. This application is for the entire year; if you think you may want to study in the spring only, you should still fill it out!
ENROLL IN LESSONS
- Accept your Subsidy: HVP Subsidy Award Announcements will arrive by Sunday, October 1st at 11:59pm. After you have received and reviewed your HVP Subsidy Award notification, you can accept, appeal, or edit the decision.
- Confirm your Teacher: Confirm your spot in a studio, and set up your lesson schedule with your teacher. If you have taken more than one trial lesson, please make sure to share your decision with all parties.
- Fill out the Student Agreement: Fill out the Student Agreement by Sunday, October 8th at 11:59pm and send it to your teacher for signing. They will send it to the Program Administrator.
- Complete your Payment: Your personal contribution is due the week of October 9th. HVP Subsidies go directly to the teacher; you do not need to do anything else! (If you are receiving an OFA subsidy as well, you will receive instructions about that in October.)
- Attend Lessons: Lessons begin the Week of September 25th!
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions pertaining to the Holden Voice Program, please email Interim Program Administrator Elena Snow at HarvardVoiceInfo@gmail.com We look forward to being a part of your vocal journey!
If you have any questions pertaining to the Holden Voice Program, please email Interim Program Administrator Elena Snow at HarvardVoiceInfo@gmail.com We look forward to being a part of your vocal journey!
Combining Dr. Clark’s belief in the relationship between voice training and choral music and Liz Eschen’s passion for her art and her students, the Holden Voice Program gives undergraduates incredible opportunities to train with the best teachers in the Boston area and beyond. I have been a part of this program since my first-year fall, and I owe all my vocal growth since, and my musical confidence, to this program, and in particular to my teacher Nathan Reiff and to Liz Eschen. Simply put, this is one of the best things I’ve taken part in at Harvard.
Dhruv Goel ‘24, Harvard Glee Club
Dhruv Goel ‘24, Harvard Glee Club
