Collaborative Piano
Workshop and
Lecture
21st & 22nd June 2024
LECTURE
VIVACE International Piano Competition
HOW SHOULD WE MOVE?
Avoid piano-related injuries with a healthy piano playing technique
Fatigued forearm, knuckle pain, sore shoulder, pain in the wrist – these are some of the common symptoms we observe in piano students and even professionals. As a solution, many were told to rest and take more breaks during practice sessions, but how do we rest if we have so much repertoire to learn and an exam deadline to look forward to? How does resting help if all we do is creating more pain when we resume playing?
In this lecture, Dr Bernard Tan will present on the basic movement concepts that are involved in a healthy piano technique, with an anatomical explanation of how our body moves when playing the piano. This will couple with the common mistakes pianists do which often result in pain, and eventually injuries.
The understanding of these concepts, and the ability to apply these in piano playing does not only improve one’s technique, but also minimises the chance of piano-related injuries. The use of a healthy technique in turn allows for a larger spectrum of musical expression in tone, shaping, and virtuosity.
Collaborative Piano Workshop
A workshop will be given by Dr. Bernard Tan on the art of collaborative piano, with a lecture presentation and opportunities for masterclass participants to work on improving their accompanying skills.
Collaborative skills is also known as accompanying skills, where a pianist collaborates with a singer or instrumentalist in a composition usually written originally for instrument/voice and piano, but occasionally also playing orchestral reductions for concertos or operas. Collaborative skills is one of the most essential skills for a pianist, as virtually all pianists will accompany during his or her career pathway. Universities around the world has now offered collaborative piano as a specialisation for pianists as a professional career choice, and pianists who take on this path have continued to work as professional accompanists in universities, repetiteurs in opera houses and ballet companies, members of ensembles and orchestras, and so on.
In this workshop, Dr. Bernard Tan will present on the field of collaborative piano, the many career pathways it gives pianists, its significance in a pianist’s growth, the skills required for a pianist in collaborative piano playing, including demonstrations on relevant repertoires with a singer and violinist. Those not playing for the workshop are encouraged to observe the workshop and lecture. For non-competitors, a day pass is required in order to enjoy the workshop and lecture. This day pass enables one to observe the entire competition for the day. Competitors can observe the workshop with no additional charge even if you are competing on a different day than that of the workshop. Competitors are required to bring along your competitor tag as prove of identification. The lecture of 1 hour will predece the workshop.
The organising committee together with Dr. Bernard Tan will then decide the 2 pieces that participants are to play, one from each group below. The short-listing will be on a first come first served basis and will be finalized as soon as possible to ensure that participants will have ample time to prepare. Participants will be contacted individually.
Each participant will be given a 30-minute rehearsal slot with the singer and violinist before the workshop. Each masterclass session will last 30 minutes long.
Although there will be a limit of 4 pianists for the collaborative workshop [first come first served basis], all workshop participants benefit from just attending the collaborative piano workshop as an observer. Through observation, one can learn a lot and improve one’s overall musicianship.
You are free to choose to participate in the collaborative workshop as an observer (day pass required for non-competitors) or as a participant pianist.
Petite Hands – Big Works
How many times have we heard that people gave up playing the piano because they were made to believe that their hands are too small? – and thus giving up playing the piano completely even if it is for leisure.
Well, in this workshop Ms. Hii Mei Lin will debunk this myth, dispel your doubts and in the process of doing so, hopefully will save some vocations to pursue piano as a career…or even as an amateur. She herself is a great example of a successful international pianist without a large handspan who plays big works at the international stage. If you are struggling with this mindset or doubt your future because you do not have a mediocre-to-big handspan, she will definitely be an inspiration to you and reignite your passion for piano playing.
In short, the size of hands does not really matter. Ms. Mei Lin will work with pianists who feel limited by their anatomy to learn how to manage difficult passages with greater ease and provide them with the necessary skills to cope and navigate around the keyboard and achieve better technical fluency overall. This workshop benefits teachers too, who can learn methods on how to coach their pupils who have small hands and help them overcome their perceived limitations.
Come and be amazed and learn that it is not the size of the hands but the mental and technical limitations we place on ourselves that cause the setbacks we face.
The workshop will begin with an hour’s lecture and then proceed to coaching students at the piano on selected passages. Students are to submit the pieces and passages they will like to work with Mei Lin in advance. Each student will have a time slot of between 30-45 mins.
[The number of students accepted will depend on a first come first served basis]
Trinity Exam Pieces Grade 6 – 8
Suitable for teachers, would-be teachers and students alike who would like to know how to teach, approach and interpret these pieces to achieve better results and overall a better comprehension of the music. You will certainly expand your perspective in approaching examination pieces through tailored and insightful discussions.
Mr. Soon has experience in such areas and has helped students achieve high scores in their exams.
Whether you aspire to perfect your knowledge, bring depth to musical interpretations, elevate your overall musicianship or simply to help your students score better, this workshop is going to be enriching to your overall development surrounded by fellow passionate pianists/teachers.
Enhancing Piano Technique & Musicianship
Mr. Soon will lecture on technique, musicianship, general knowledge and principles, suggestions, tips and other aspects surrounding the topic. He will provide personalized feedbacks and guidance to refine students’ skills.
Unlike a Masterclass, Mr. Soon will be demonstrating and applying the analyses to the participant’s pieces focusing on the topics discussed during the lecture. Students will certainly unlock their artistic potential during this interactive and enriching workshop.
Workshop Fees
RM200
RM250
*Audience can purchase a day pass to observe the workshop which entitles one to observe the competition, masterclasses and vice versa. Ticket can be purchased by clicking at the “Register Now” button.
Competitors enjoy a free pass to observe all the competition, workshops and masterclasses.
