Texas is one state in the South Central Region of the National Federation of Music Clubs supporting Opera in the Ozarks/Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony (OIO/IPFAC) with general funding and scholarships for this nine-week opera camp aimed at career students. Other states in the South Central Region include Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.

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Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point is a unique training program and festival founded in 1950.

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Affiliated with the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC), Opera in the Ozarks has earned the reputation of being a prominent training program for all singers interested in pursuing a career in opera. Our alumni have sung on all the major operatic stages of the world. One of the outstanding features of the program is that every participant is afforded an opportunity to perform in fully produced operas, a scenes program or an educational outreach program taken to the several areas in Northwest Arkansas. Four weeks of intensive rehearsals under the direction of a professional staff culminate in a month of performances over the course of which the  artists continue to grow and develop.

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Opera in the Ozarks is located in the northwest corner of Arkansas, seven miles west of beautiful and historic Eureka Springs, on scenic Route 62. One of the most picturesque spots in the south central USA, Inspiration Point is a look-out site perched atop Rock Candy Mountain, between the beautiful White River Valley and Beaver Lake.

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Facilities:

Established in 1950, Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony is a self-contained facility located seven miles west of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Situated on top of Rock Candy Mountain, it boasts an incredible view and atmosphere in which to make exciting music.

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Piano Camp

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The purpose of the camp is to provide each student an enriching keyboard experience. The Piano Camp will feature classes in piano literature, theory, composer study, piano ensemble, improvisation, keyboard skills and digital technology, as well as master class performance sessions. Piano and Strings camp dates are published at opera.org. 

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Special lecture/demonstrations on various topics such as practice, memorization, and sight-reading will be held. In addition, faculty performances, panel discussions, recreational activities, and a final gala concert will be presented.

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The educational and musical needs of each student will be developed through daily instruction. Students will be grouped according to their level of proficiency and experience.

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Students should have two works fully prepared for study and performance. It is suggested that these works be from contrasting style periods. In addition, each student should bring a third work which is in progress.

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Strings Camp

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Strings Camp is open to violin, viola, cello and string bass students entering grades 7 – 12, and to graduating seniors.

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This unique week-long Strings Camp is designed for dedicated string students who wish to develop their skill in chamber music and orchestral playing. All students will be grouped into string quartets, string trios, and other chamber ensembles. Each group will explore a chamber work in depth, learn rehearsal techniques and performance skills through daily coachings and chamber master classes, and then perform the work on a final gala concert. In addition, all students will join forces in a string orchestra, which will rehearse substantial works of the string orchestra repertoire in daily rehearsals and sectionals, and will also perform on the gala concert.

Enrollment:

All students must send a cassette tape or CD of their best solo playing (no more than 8 minutes – leave out the piano accompaniment) for entrance into the camp, as well as to determine chamber music assignments and preliminary orchestra seating. Enrollment will be limited. Students should be prepared to perform a solo work on a recital during the camp. Please bring the original solo music and accompaniment.

 

Vocal Camp

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The Youth Vocal Camp is usually held in July and is open to students entering grades 7 – 12, and to graduating seniors.

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This exciting Camp for serious vocal students will provide the opportunity for performance of choral literature of various styles, musical theatre, and art song repertoire. Additional classes will be offered in piano, music theory, and stage movement. Students will learn rehearsal techniques and performance skills through daily instruction in master classes, choral and “Broadway” rehearsals, and sectionals. In addition, student solo recitals, recreational activities, faculty performances and two gala concerts will be presented.

Enrollment:

All students must send a cassette tape or CD of their vocal abilities for entrance into the camp, as well as to determine musical repertoire assignments. The tape or CD should include one art song in English OR in a foreign language AND one musical theatre selection. Enrollment will be limited. Students should be prepared to perform a solo art song in master class and on a recital during the camp. Bring TWO works from the song repertoire – one English and one in a foreign language. Please bring the original music.