Cincinnati Song Initiative Announces New National Training Program
CINCINNATI, OH - Cincinnati Song Initiative (CSI) unveils The Fellowship of the Song, a new program for the high-level study and performance of song. The inaugural iteration from May 19-26, 2024 will provide five exceptional singers and five exceptional pianists with an artistically rigorous and deeply enriching environment featuring a world-renowned faculty and a uniquely holistic vision to support the cultivation of creative twenty-first century artists.
“Just like we did with the creation of CSI, we are meeting a need by launching The Fellowship of the Song,” says Founding Artistic Director Samuel Martin. “Opportunities for classical artists across America to hone their storytelling skills through the spellbinding genre of song are few and far between, and we’ve set off to not only create such an opportunity, but to create a best-in-class opportunity that has the potential to alter the course of Fellows’ lives.”
At the foundation of the program are plentiful performance opportunities for Fellows, including daily song workshops and two public concerts throughout the week. “We learn the most about ourselves as artists when we have the chance to take risks and share what we have to say in performance with a live audience that’s eager to connect,” says Martin. “Not only does the Fellowship offer a robust set of performances for Fellows, but we’re also creating new experiences for our Cincinnati audiences to enjoy even more of what they’ve come to love when attending a CSI concert.”
On top of that, Fellows can expect numerous private coachings with internationally acclaimed artists Margo Garrett, pianist and William McGraw, baritone to hone their skills in a close one-on-one setting. About The Fellowship of the Song, Ms. Garrett says, “With this new and uniquely innovative program, Cincinnati Song Initiative is simultaneously creating a singular opportunity for singers, pianists, and auditors to deepen their artistry and hone their skills, all while breaking down the historic barriers that have prevented many from participating in a program such as this. CSI has broken another glass ceiling and I am deeply honored to be a part of it.”
Another unique component of The Fellowship of the Song is a varied slate of daily classes that will provide Fellows a breadth of knowledge to help promote their versatility in an ever-evolving classical music landscape. These courses, each led by distinguished experts in their respective field, will complement the world-class artistic training provided during the weeklong program.
No stranger to building community through creative partnerships, CSI is proud to hold The Fellowship of the Song at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, as well as provide luxury apartment accommodations for Fellows through the boutique lodging company Airriva. Says Martin, “It was important, as we built this program from the ground up, that we set our sights as high as possible to match the quality of the Fellows we hope to attract. For us, that meant securing the greatest recital halls and class spaces in the region by partnering with CCM, as well as offering private lodging for each participant to feel most comfortable as they stay fresh and inspired during what’s sure to be an intense week.”
A core component that sets The Fellowship of the Song apart from other opportunities is its commitment to accessibility and equity. An enormous factor contributing to that is the program’s price tag. With the proper amount of planning and preparation, CSI has built a program that will come at zero cost to Fellows. Not only is the program tuition-free, but applications are free, Fellows will be reimbursed for travel to Cincinnati, they will receive a daily stipend to cover meals and transportation, and their apartment accommodations come at zero cost.
“Again, we’re seeking to create a gold standard for artists here,” says Martin about the affordability of the program. “With CSI being a one hundred percent artist-run organization, we are uniquely aware of how quickly ancillary fees add up. It can cost artists hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to travel and house themselves at other programs that stop short at being just tuition-free. From the very start, the CSI staff considered all the costs that could possibly accrue for Fellows over the course of the week and we asked, ‘How do we make these disappear?’ We wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of incredible Fellowship sponsors and other donors who believe in the vision of this program as much as the CSI staff does, and we are deeply grateful.”
To maximize the educational and artistic reach of the program, daily song workshops and classes can be audited by anybody. Free online applications for Fellows open September 1, 2023, and auditor registration opens October 1, 2023.
For all details on The Fellowship of the Song, including a complete list of classes, faculty members, FAQs for both Fellows and auditors, and more, visit the program’s overview page on CSI’s website.
About Cincinnati Song Initiative
Since its founding in 2016, Cincinnati Song Initiative has connected thousands of people through the unique and intimate power of classical song, and is a recipient of Ovation TV’s Stand for the Arts award based on how well an organization empowers the community, builds strategic partnerships, drives engagement through volunteerism, and delivers creative programming.
Smaller in scale than opera, choral music, or other theatrical genres, the performance of song most commonly features one singer and one pianist in a visceral musical experience. Cincinnati Song Initiative creates these experiences with a pioneering spirit to engage communities in thoughtful and innovative ways. Deriving its texts from a variety of sources such as poetry, prose, speeches, or plays, song portrays the immediate and deep personal experiences we encounter throughout everyday life.
Each concert features singers and pianists of national renown, providing an unparalleled level of artistry within an intimate and accessible atmosphere. Audiences enjoy close interaction with the artists, hearing them discuss the relevance of the music in relation to today’s cultural and societal context, and enjoy engaging with them - and each other - during post-performance receptions. Concerts take place at different venues throughout the Queen City in order to connect with its many vibrant communities and explore all it has to offer.
Cincinnati Song Initiative remains devoted to the innovation of twenty-first century song by commissioning and premiering new works. CSI aims to connect with today's audiences and lead the way in original digital content among arts organizations, continually adding to its rich suite of resources with educational webinars, live interviews with artists and composers, and innovative performance projects imagined for the virtual realm.
For more information regarding upcoming concerts, artists, and CSI’s thematic projects, please visit www.cincinnatisonginitiative.org.