About Trusted Alliance
The Synergy of Singer and Conductor
Some musicians have a love/hate relationship with conductors; others revere them; still others barely tolerate them.
The relationship between musicians and conductors can be mysterious, inspiring, aggravating. In most settings, however, a trusting and effective working relationship between conductor and singer can not only maximize the benefit of limited rehearsal time but also lead to an inspiring "in the moment" musical experience for artists and audience alike.
But young musicians rarely have an opportunity to explore this important and formative relationship outside of rehearsals or performances.
Musicians that participate in Trusted Alliance master classes explore avenues for refining and adapting their “in the moment” interpretative experience by performing excerpts and through open and honest conversation with Maestro Basney.
Nyela Basney brings a wealth of experience from conducting a wide ranging repertoire and from interviews with prominent artists to the Master Class experience, offering suggestions and guiding the conversation as students perform, observe and interact.
Attend a master class and get your questions answered, understand what a conductor is thinking and put your new skills into action the next time you walk into a rehearsal!
The Trusted Alliance Experience
Singers who participate in Trusted Alliance master classes will further develop a skill set for working with conductors, including, but not limited to:
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How to analyze and prepare a score with reference to collaborating with a conductor
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How to discern when a conductor is offering greater flexibility in tempo, when flexibility is not indicated, and how to communicate interpretive intention clearly
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How to collaborate in a recitativo accompagnato
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What to do if the collaborative relationship seems strained
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What to listen for in the orchestra
Beginning by singing an aria with conductor Nyela Basney, participants will receive feedback on how clear their musical intentions were to the conductor in a first read-through. Singers will then be able to experiment with leading and following, to gain confidence in their ability to shape phrases according to their breath and interpretive choices. Finally, they will have the opportunity to sing with Maestro Basney leading them, to also understand how conductors listen and respond while also supporting them and enabling them to take risks.
During the Master Class, Maestro Basney will also share interviews she has participated in with prominent artists about the tradition of the conductor/singer alliance and talk about famous conductor/singer alliances (such as those with Arturo Toscanini and James Levine).
Singing with a pianist while Maestro Basney conducts makes all the difference. Walk away knowing that your musical ideas can be heard and understood and that the conductor is on your side.
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