About us

The Institute of Vocal Studies is a didactic unit that stemmed from the former Faculty of Vocal and Acting Studies of the Academy of Music in Poznań as a result of structural changes. The history of Institute is very rich – its beginnings date back to 1920 when the State Academy and School of Music was founded, its first head being Henryk Opieński. Five classes were established to represent the following specialties: theory of music, piano, string instruments, wind instruments, and singing. After hostilities ended in 1945, the Academy resumed its activities in 1947 as the State Higher School of Music. It comprised four units: I – Faculty of Special Theory and Composition, II – Instrumental Faculty, III – Vocal Faculty, IV – Didactic Faculty. The Academy has more100 years of tradition of singing, thus the Institute can boast of a long list of names of distinguished pedagogues and graduates, as well as numerous outstanding artistic and scientific achievements.

 

Characteristics

The Institute of Vocal Studies at the I. J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań conducts courses in vocal studies in specialties of solo singing and musical singing.

The Institute includes:

• The Chair of Vocal Studies
• The Chair of Song and Vocal Chamber Music
• The Chair of Musical Theater
• The Department of Vocal-Instrumental Music Interpretation.

The Institute offers full-time programs of the first degree (four years) and the second degree (two years). The main objective of the studies is preparing the graduates for independent artistic, scientific and didactic work in the field of solo singing and musical singing.

 

First-degree program

Graduates are prepared to undertake work as chorister and soloist in professional vocal ensembles of opera theaters, musical theaters and philharmonics, as well as in vocal chamber ensembles. In individual cases, they already possess the practical and theoretical skills that enable them to create their own interpretation of a musical work and to undertake work as a singer-soloist in opera, operetta and musical theaters. During the bachelor’s degree program, significant emphasis is placed on learning the basics of the art of acting, which prepares the graduates for stage work. Graduates may pursue artistic activity in cultural institutions and the media. They receive the professional title of Bachelor of Arts, which entitles them to apply for admission to the second degree program. Due to the specificity of the major, pedagogical subjects are not offered at this stage of education, therefore graduates of the first degree program cannot conduct pedagogical activity in music education.

Second-degree program

Graduates are fully prepared to perform as musicians, vocalists, and soloists in opera and musical theaters. They are characterized by a highly developed artistic personality. They have theoretical knowledge and practical skills in their major and their profession. They have thorough knowledge of the repertoire and the ability to communicate using modern information technologies. They are prepared to take artistic and organizational actions, to participate in teamwork and critically evaluate artistic undertakings. In the curriculum of the master degree studies, pedagogical subjects are offered and therefore graduates may conduct pedagogical activity in music education after having obtained pedagogical qualifications.

The Institute of Vocal Studies – through its substantive units – conducts artistic activity and scientific research, and is the organizer of:

• international and national scientific conferences,
• National Vocal Master Classes,
• cyclical institute concerts “Vocal Tuesdays”,
• opera performances and oratorio-cantata concerts,
• theater performances,
• chamber concerts,
• diploma concerts.

 

Pedagogues and students of the Institute participate in the musical and cultural life of the city and region through:

• collaboration with the Stanisław Moniuszko Grand Theater in Poznań,
• collaboration with the Feliks Nowowiejski Society and concerts in the Villa among roses – the Feliks Nowowiejski Music Salon,
• Summer townhall concerts,
• collaboration with the cultural institutions of the city of Poznań in artistic projects (the Cultural Center ZAMEK, Musical Theater, Polish Theater, Działyński Palace – Polish Academy of Science, Dramatic Theater in Gniezno).

The Institute exercises substantive supervision over:

• The Karol Kurpiński National Aria and Song Competition in Włoszakowice,
• Vocal Mater Classes in Włoszakowice,
• Summer Vocal Courses in Drezdenko,
• Summer Music Festival and Workshops in Kutno.