VOICE

e.m. Univ. Prof. Dr. Gertraud Berka- Schmid

Jul 1-6, 2024

Piano: David Hausknecht (Jul 1-6)

The main focus of this master class is on the German repertoire (opera, song and oratorio, operetta and musical) as well as on the German language, language creation, text understanding and interpretation.

The topic “The Body as an Instrument” includes conscious breathing and movement as a prerequisite for musical creation (= making music)

Der Hauptfocus dieser Meisterklasse liegt auf dem deutschen Repertoire (Oper, Lied und Oratorium, Operette und Musical) sowie auf der deutschen Sprache, Sprachgestaltung, Textverständnis und Interpretation.
Das Thema „Das Instrument Körper“ beinhaltet bewusste Atemführung und Bewegung als Voraussetzung für musikalische Gestaltung (= Musizieren)

Fee for active participants
€ 320 (€ 120 application fee, € 200 course fee)

Fee for passive participants
€ 100

Optional supplementary package
€ 470 (6 nights)
€ 560 (7 nights)
The spplementary package covers
1) Full board at Gasthaus Moser (breakfast and one meal plus one drink)
2) accommodation at Gasthaus Moser or Frühstückspension Mariahilfberg
3) transfer (Vienna Hilton or airport / Jul 1 (or Jun 30) to Gutenstein and back /Jul 7(or Jul 8).
4) All shuttles and transports in and around Gutenstein will be provided for you! Please book the supplementary package till June 2!

The application-and course fee is NOT included in the package and must be payed EXTRA!

Teaching language

German, English

Application deadline

June 15, 2024 (provided there are still free places)

Apply now

Program

First meeting: Monday, July 1, 12:00 a.m. at the Meierhof Gutenstein, Markt 2, 2770 Gutenstein (introducing of applicants, schedule of classes, house rules)

Thursday evening, July 4: Diner invitation for all students, teachers and team of the masterclasses voice to the Brandstätterhof, Fam Zwinz 6:00 p.m., Längapiesting 7, 2770 Gutenstein. The shuttle will leave from Meierhof at 5.40 p.m.
Prof. Berka-Schmid will work daily
approx. 45 minutes with every single singer
Each participant is guaranteed 30 minutes daily extra accompaniment with our pianist David Hausknecht
Every morning at 9-10 a.m. “My body-my instrument” functional relaxation (group work)

Beside the classical repertoire, that you may chose yourself, there are „Lieder“ composed by Benedict Randhartinger and Peter Kempny (two wonderful romantic composers) in the focus. If you are interested to perform one of the Lieder, please contact the organisation Mag. Gabriele Korn (0664 230 20 93, Email: office@meisterklassen-gutenstein.at and we will send you the score. Everyone who decides to sing 1 or 2 Lieder(song/s) will perform these pieces on top of their regular chosen pieces for the concert.
Please send you masterclass repertoire till June 15 to Prof. Berka-Schmid (berka-schmid@mdw.ac.at or g.berka-schmid@kabsi.at)
Saturday, July 6, 2024
11a.m.: Mass at the church Mariahilfberg (if you like to sing a song there, please tell us)
at about 12 p.m.: General rehearsal, Refektorium Servitenkloster Mariahilfberg (changes will be announced)
4 p.m.: Final Concert, Refektorium Servitenkloster Mariahilfberg (Shuttles will be provided to and from Mariahilfberg).
After the concert drinks and snacks for everyone at the buffet.

About Gertraud Berka-Schmid

Gertraud Berka-Schmid completed her medical studies at the University of Vienna (general medicine, speciality in psychiatry and neurology) and worked as a doctor, psychotherapist and teaching therapist for functional relaxation.

In addition she studied vocal arts, singing, song and oratorio as well as opera dramatic performance at the Conservatory of the City of Vienna (The Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna), and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, with Hilde Zadek, Christa Ludwig, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf und W. Kmentt, among others. Theater engagements took her to Coburg, Heidelberg and Augsburg, among others. In addition, she developed a lively concert activity, working with numerous renowned orchestras and conductors.

In 1987 she began teaching singing at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where she was appointed full university professor in 1997. Other focuses of her teaching and research activities were in the areas of music education, music therapy, chronobiology and music physiology. In addition to singing, she taught courses such as “Functional Relaxation - The Body as Instrument,” concentration practice, movement analysis for instrumentalists, and mental training. She developed creative educational projects in the area of pedagogy (for children and young people), which were and are implemented in cooperation with various schools, and led courses, seminars and lectures in both areas.

Gertraud Berka-Schmid retired in 2017. For her services, she was awarded, among other things, the Life Time Award for music therapy in Austria, the Gold Medal of Merit from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, 1st Class.

Über Gertraud Berka-Schmid

Gertraud Berka-Schmid absolvierte an der Universität Wien ein Medizinstudium (Ärztin für Allgemeinmedizin, Fachärztin für Psychiatrie und Neurologie) und arbeitete als Ärztin, Psychotherapeutin und Lehrtherapeutin für Funktionelle Entspannung.

Weiters studierte sie am Konservatorium der Stadt Wien und an der Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien Gesang, Lied und Oratorium sowie Operndramatische Darstellung u.a. bei Hilde Zadek, Christa Ludwig, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf und W. Kmentt. Theaterengagements führten sie u.a. nach Coburg, Heidelberg und Augsburg. Dazu entfaltete sie eine rege Konzerttätigkeit, im Rahmen derer sie mit zahlreichen renommierten Orchestern und Dirigenten zusammenarbeitete.

1987 begann ihre Lehrtätigkeit als Gesangspädagogin an der Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, wo sie 1997 zur ordentlichen Hochschulprofessorin für Gesang berufen wurde. Weitere Schwerpunkte ihrer Lehr- und Forschungstätigkeit lagen im Bereich Musikpädagogik, Musiktherapie, Chronobiologie und Musikphysiologie. Sie unterrichtete zusätzlich zu Gesang Lehrveranstaltungen wie „Funktionelle Entspannung - Das Instrument Körper,“ Konzentrationspraxis, Bewegungsanalyse für Instrumentalisten und Instrumentalistinnen, Mentales Training. Sie entwickelte für den Bereich Pädagogik (für Kinder und Jugendliche) kreativpädagogische Projekte, die in Kooperation mit verschiedenen Schulen umgesetzt wurden und werden. Kurse,- Seminar- und Vortragstätigkeit in beiden Bereichen.

Gertraud Berka-Schmid emeritierte im Jahr 2017. Für ihre Verdienste wurde sie u.a. mit dem Life Time Award für Musiktherapie in Österreich, der Verdienstmedaille in Gold der Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, sowie dem Österreichischem Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst 1. Klasse ausgezeichnet.