FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Practicalities
- How long is the course?
- When will I hear if I have been selected to participate in the course?
- Where is the course held?
- Does the course provide accommodation and meals?
- How much does the course cost?
- What if I have to cancel because of unforeseen circumstances?
Questions on the contents of the course
How long is the course?
The course lasts 7 full days, most days start at 9am and end around 6pm.
When will I hear if I have been selected to participate in the course?
We aim to finish our selection process around the 1st of June.
Where is the course held?
The course is held at The Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam Zuid, with concert/presentation venues in other parts of Amsterdam.
Does the course provide accommodation and meals?
Coffee, tea and biscuits are included in the course fee. Lunch is either provided or you will be given a 5 euro per day budget for lunch, mostly depending on the COVID-19 situation.
Although we cannot offer accommodation in Amsterdam, we do recommend that you stay in or near Amsterdam for the duration of the course, as the course days are long and intensive. We do usually have some offers for accommodation from friends of the Summer School so please contact us if you are on a tight budget. We can usually find a solution.
How much does the course cost?
The course fee is €600 for full participants, including lunch and tea and coffee facilities. For interns the course fee is €200. Interns are only able to participate in the group lessons, but can observe all lessons.
PS Always check the latest information, fees can vary each season
What if I have to cancel because of unforeseen circumstances?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide full refunds of the course fees, as we simply do not have the financial resources for this. However, we will refund 50% of the course fee if you cancel up to 1 month before the start of the course and 25% if you cancel up to 2 weeks before the start of the course. After that no refund is possible, but we are always willing to work with you to find a replacement participant who could take your place.
How many pieces will I be working on during the course?
You will work on duets and arias. Additionally, a larger ensemble piece may be included in the course. You will perform at least two of these pieces in a presentation during the Grachtenfestival.
How many lessons will I receive during the course and what does a typical course week look like?
The course is packed with lessons from early morning until late afternoon, some aimed specifically at the selected duets and arias and others at acting and performance skills more generally. To get an idea of how a day in our course week is structured please see the example below.
I want to learn a role, is this course for me?
The short answer is no. The course is aimed at providing young opera singers with performance skills that will serve them in many productions. It is not aimed at learning specific roles. That said, you will of course be consulted on your preferences concerning the choice of duets and arias.
Will I perform in the Grachtenfestival?
Yes, you will perform at least two opera scenes in our final presentation, which is part of the programming of the renowned Grachtenfestival Amsterdam. Additionally, you may be selected to perform in one or more other events during the Grachtenfestival, including an interview and/or performance on Radio 4 (the Dutch classical radio station).
Can I observe the lessons as a non-participant?
We do have several places for interns. Interns participate in all the group lessons, but do not perform duets or arias (see point 5 above).