Curriculum
Approximately 100 students each year
Divided into:
Elementary students
Mid-level (High School)
Advanced level (College)
University level (Stage 4 studies)
Each level of studies takes three years in general, with some exceptions. Final exams from each level are challenged by an external examiner and the two highest exams include a recital.
Advanced level: a recital of 30-40 minutes
4th stage students: a recital of 45-60 minutes
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture issues a curriculum to be followed for music education in all Icelandic state- and community funded music schools. Sigurður Demetz Academy of Singing follows the curriculum in all subjects but also adds certain elements of stage and language training to it. These additions include acting classes and various training sessions, implemented mainly through –and in connection with- rehearsals for the schools shows.
Weekly tuition
Weekly tuition includes:
A choice between 1 and 1,5 hours of vocal training each week (yearly 38 weeks of teaching)
1,5-hour group sessions
30-45 minutes of accompaniment
Advanced levels
Advanced levels include:
2 hours weekly harmonics
2 hours music history
30 minutes weekly piano tuition
5 weeks (3 hours of acting classes – Michael Chekhov method)
Students perform in recitals at least 3-4 times each winter a minimum of 2 songs or duets
The three following 10-week courses alternate between years (2 hours a week):
A) German Lieder cycles
B) Opera history
C) Operetta and musical history
Opera class
2 hours weekly, pronunciation and musical preparation.
Students participate in 2 productions
A) A theatre piece with musical items (operatic arias). This is designed as a first introduction to opera work and includes acting classes.
B) An opera production (whole opera sometimes performed with orchestra) Last year’s production was Puccini´s Gianni Schicchi and this year the school is performing Cimarosas Matrimonio Segreto.
This year for the first time the school offered a 5-week acting course for advanced levels (3 hours a week), 15 hours of Feldenkrais group classes, and a pronunciation course for the IPA system (phonetics-based) available for all students at the academy.