FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
May I study both opera and musical theater at MTB?
Because the program involves intensive work towards realizing maximum results in a short time period, choosing one focus for performing at MTB is required. You might have the opportunity to do crossover work in a master class, if desired, but you must choose a preferred area of study at the time of application. You will be assigned scene performance ensembles within the studio in which you enroll, but all singers also participate in one German operetta large ensemble scene and one musical theater large ensemble scene. We find that singers who do crossover work at home still learn quite a bit from observing folks in the other studio, even though each person is focusing their own work in just one studio.
May Opera Studio young artists also work on art song or oratorio repertoire?
Your performance assignments and any solo performance opportunities in MTB concerts, as well as the pieces you are permitted to present in master classes and in your private coaching lessons, do not include art song or oratorio. If you wish to bring a few art song or oratorio pieces to work on in your private voice lessons, you are welcome to do so. MTB vocal coaching will focus on your opera and operetta aria repertoire, helping you to polish and further develop (or begin to develop) your audition package. We do encourage you to take advantage of the fact that you are in Germany with expert German diction coaches, and work on some German arias! All opera students are expected to bring at least one German aria. After you are enrolled in the program, we would be happy to suggest a German opera or operetta aria to add to your package that is appropriate for your voice type and stage of development.
Is there a deadline for applications?
The summer 2025 application deadline for Collaborative Pianist Fellowships is February 15, 2025. The application deadline for the Opera Studio also is February 15, 2025, and the deadline for the Musical Theater Studio is March 30, 2025. Application before the deadline is encouraged, if possible. Because we offer rolling admissions for singers, the programs might fill earlier than the stated deadlines. Late applicants are welcome to email info@musiktheaterbavaria.org to inquire whether it is possible to accept a late application for your voice type. See the APPLY/Application page for any updates about deadline extensions.
Are there age limits for the program?
Singers must have completed at least 1 year of college (and be at least age 19), and may be up to age 30. (Exceptions to the upper age limit may occasionally be made at our discretion for opera singers preparing for an audition tour in the German-speaking countries, or opera singers with developing dramatic voices. Applicants for collaborative piano fellowships may be up to age 35.)
How do you make admission decisions?
MTB seeks young artists with a good work ethic and positive attitude who will be likely to benefit from, and be able to handle, the demands of our intensive program. After receipt of a video application, if there is interest based on talent we may check your references. We are committed to maintaining high standards for admission so that you may be assured of a talented group of colleagues of various ages.
We send out singer admission decisions on a rolling basis, from December through March, until the program is full. We usually maintain a wait list, and often some applicants who are initially on the wait list are later offered admission. Early application increases your chances of admission and gives you more time to raise funds! If you need a quick decision from us, please let us know.
We send out singer admission decisions on a rolling basis, from December through March, until the program is full. We usually maintain a wait list, and often some applicants who are initially on the wait list are later offered admission. Early application increases your chances of admission and gives you more time to raise funds! If you need a quick decision from us, please let us know.
What are the opportunities for performance during the program?
MTB offers two performance opportunities for all participants in concerts that are open to the public. They will include the entire MTB ensemble in staged opera and musical theater scenes, with some selected solo aria and song performances also scheduled in each concert as time permits. Every student will be assigned to perform in at least 2 scenes that will be scheduled in both public concerts (absent any issues of illness, etc.) Our concerts are performed in the charming Alte Post in Flintsbach am Inn and the large Kursaal performance hall in Oberaudorf. Each student has an opportunity to perform in both concerts provided that their music is appropriately prepared and that there have been no issues with attendance of classes, lessons, and rehearsals, or quality of work in rehearsals.
Why should I choose MTB over an opera role performance program, or over the opportunity to perform in a summer musical theater production?
MTB emphasizes advanced professional training and audition preparation for young artists with close attention to individual needs in an intimate atmosphere in which students reside with faculty, focusing on the process rather than a production. We do present professional quality scenes performances that are well attended by German audiences. They are showcases for the results of your study and provide opportunities for faculty to give you valuable feedback.
An opera role performance program certainly can be a good experience and performing in a summer musical theater production is also wonderful for adding to your resume, but they may not do as much to advance your skills. MTB is right for you this year if this is the summer you want to spend most of the month of July working with excellent colleagues, morning through evening 5 days a week (plus straight through the first weekend!), to take your performance, German and auditioning skills to the next level.
An opera role performance program certainly can be a good experience and performing in a summer musical theater production is also wonderful for adding to your resume, but they may not do as much to advance your skills. MTB is right for you this year if this is the summer you want to spend most of the month of July working with excellent colleagues, morning through evening 5 days a week (plus straight through the first weekend!), to take your performance, German and auditioning skills to the next level.
Will MTB voice faculty try to change my vocal technique?
Our goal is to help you improve your technique, beginning with where you are when you come to us. Our teachers do teach technique, but we try to guide students to solve vocal and technical problems without challenging previous teaching methods when possible, giving you new information to discuss with your teachers at home.
If something happens and I need to withdraw from the MTB program, why can't I get a full refund of amounts paid?
MTB contracts with its faculty and makes hotel and meal service deposits long before the start of the program. We limit our number of young artist positions to a maximum of 28 in order to allow for the individual attention which will insure each student's progress, so the per student cost of our faculty and other fixed program expenses are a far greater percentage amount of tuition than is the amount of the per student expense that we are able to cancel when someone withdraws.
May I request my roommate?
Yes, as long as the request is mutual. If you want to room with a friend, please let us know by May 15th.
May I request a single room?
Yes, we have a limited number of single rooms available at additional cost. Please contact us for details.
What music should I bring?
Please bring with you 2 copies (for you and your lesson pianist) of any repertoire we assign to you, and also 2 copies of a variety of pieces of your choice (in any language) which you might like to work on in private lessons with your teachers and coaches and/or in workshops or master classes. You only need 1 copy of any assigned large ensemble piece such as a full company finale number, as you would not likely take that to a private lesson. If you use an iPad for your music, be sure to also have a PRINT copy for the pianist of all pieces you might bring to a coaching or a voice lesson or use in a master class, and also have a pdf available to send to pianists if they should prefer that.
All pieces that you bring to an MTB coaching or voice lesson must be fully learned before coming to MTB, as valuable time in lessons should never be spent teaching notes. Assigned scenes repertoire in the Opera Studio must be FULLY MEMORIZED before arrival at MTB. Musical theater students will receive separate information regarding which of their assignments need to be memorized before arrival.
All pieces that you bring to an MTB coaching or voice lesson must be fully learned before coming to MTB, as valuable time in lessons should never be spent teaching notes. Assigned scenes repertoire in the Opera Studio must be FULLY MEMORIZED before arrival at MTB. Musical theater students will receive separate information regarding which of their assignments need to be memorized before arrival.
Do I need to prepare anything in advance for the other classes?
Opera students should write in word-for-word translations of their foreign-language arias (you will need it for whichever aria you choose to sing in your aria workshop and for anything you take to a coach or voice teacher), and also should write in word-for-word translations for their assigned scenes (including what all the other people in the scene are saying).
Do you have a policy about alcohol, drugs and behavioral problems?
The program administrators have the right, in their sole discretion, to dismiss a student from the program for use or possession of illegal drugs or for any other severe behavioral issue. This includes issues relating to excessive use of alcohol and includes any other serious issues that negatively affect the program or other participants, or that cause MTB to have concerns that the student should leave the program for the sake of their own health and wellbeing. Any dismissal from the program is without refund, whether warnings are given is left to the sole discretion of MTB management, and MTB assumes no responsibility for the expense of changing travel plans or any other resulting expenses.
Regarding alcohol, anyone over 18 may legally drink in Germany. We do not chaperone students, who are all adults, during free time or on weekends. However, it would be foolish to spend the money on this type of program and waste it by making partying a priority. Alcohol is drying to the vocal folds. This may be the only time in your life as a young singer that you are going to have the luxury of having multiple private lessons per week, plus often be singing in classes, rehearsals and performances.
On working days, it is our policy that no one may drink alcoholic beverages until after they are finished for the day with all lessons, classes, rehearsals and/or performances.
Regarding alcohol, anyone over 18 may legally drink in Germany. We do not chaperone students, who are all adults, during free time or on weekends. However, it would be foolish to spend the money on this type of program and waste it by making partying a priority. Alcohol is drying to the vocal folds. This may be the only time in your life as a young singer that you are going to have the luxury of having multiple private lessons per week, plus often be singing in classes, rehearsals and performances.
On working days, it is our policy that no one may drink alcoholic beverages until after they are finished for the day with all lessons, classes, rehearsals and/or performances.
What happens if I have a medical problem while in Germany?
Doctors and pharmacists are available to provide services to you in Oberaudorf. In the event of an emergency situation, we would call an ambulance or take you to the hospital or clinic, just as we would if in the United States. There is an excellent clinic staffed by doctors who speak English, and excellent hospitals offering emergency care that are a short drive away, in Rosenheim, Germany or Kufstein, Austria.
All MTB students are responsible for their own health insurance coverage and for paying all medical bills incurred while at MTB, and should check with their insurance carriers to understand coverage and payment procedures. Normally you will be required to pay the bill to the German health care provider, and later submit it for reimbursement to your health insurance company, if it covers you in Europe. We STRONGLY recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes emergency medical coverage at the time you purchase your airline ticket, or looking into similar travel insurance options sold online.
Will I be given information about what to pack?
Yes. After you are accepted into the program and pay your deposit, we will send you the MTB Handbook with lots of practical information about what clothes and other things to pack, best ways to access cash in Europe, cell phone advice, etc.
May I talk with someone to ask more questions about the MTB program?
Of course! You may email questions to us at info@musiktheaterbavaria.org and we will respond promptly, or we will be happy to call you to talk personally, at your request. Just send an email to let us know your phone number.
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Musiktheater Bavaria
P.O. Box 545, Winter Park, FL 32790-0545
Phone: 407-490-3703 (*In June through August, please contact us by email.)
Email contact:
P.O. Box 545, Winter Park, FL 32790-0545
Phone: 407-490-3703 (*In June through August, please contact us by email.)
Email contact:
