Opera Theatre St. Louis

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2007-2008 AIT class at the Spring Recital
Photo Credit: Maurice Meredith


Eltee Robinson receiving an award from Shirley Verrett at the AIT Spring Recital

Photo Credit: Maurice Meredith

Established in 1990 and unique in the U.S., Monsanto's Artists-in-Training program sets out to identify, coach and encourage talented students from high schools across St. Louis with weekly voice lessons by opera professionals at one of three area universities. The program also offers master classes with visiting artists such as George Shirley, Erie Mills, Christine Brewer, Shirley Verrett, and Martina Arroyo. The ultimate goal of AIT is to identify students who will go on to further music study and perhaps a professional singing career, but the program has other goals as well, such as enhancing self-esteem, finding new means of expression, learning to set rigorous achievement standards, and rewarding disciplined commitment.

AIT has developed a remarkable track record: 99% of its graduates have finished high school, and 100% of the most recent graduating seniors are currently enrolled in college and universities throughout the U.S. At the annual year-end recital students compete for more than $10,000 in scholarship awards including the $4,000 Monsanto Prize and the $1,750 Marielle Huber Award.  Opera Theatre continues to give an additional $10,000 each year in Advanced Study Scholarship assistance to AIT alumni who are pursuing college degrees.

2009-2010 AIT Auditions

Auditions are open to students in the Greater St. Louis/Metro-East Area entering grades 10-12 for the 2009-2010 year with a current GPA of 2.5 or higher, who are currently participating in high school choirs or other vocal programs.

Students must prepare two selections from any of the following: opera, art song, musical theater, spiritual or folk song.  Students must be prepared to start over, repeat a section or not finish a prepared selection.

An accompanist will be provided.  Auditions are closed to everyone except members of the audition panel.  Students must bring the following to the audition:

    1) A written recommendation from a
    guidance counselor or music teacher
    2) A copy of the most recent report card

Auditions for the 2009-2010 AIT class:  
Thursday, Sept. 24  3-6 pm
and
Saturday, Sept. 26  1-4pm  

Auditions will take place at the Sally Levy Opera Center, 210 Hazel Avenue in Webster Groves. 

For more information please contact the Eductaion Department at:
(314) 963-4251
251@opera-stl.org

AIT Preparatory Program

With the generous support of Monsanto, Opera Theatre has instituted the AIT Preparatory Program in two select schools from the St. Louis Public Schools District.  Students participating in the program will receive weekly, 30-minute voice lessons from a professional vocal teacher.  The AIT Preparatory Program concentrates on younger high school students, mainly freshmen, to ready them for the upcoming AIT auditions in the fall.


Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
P.O. Box 191910 St. Louis, MO 63119-7910
Box Office     314. 961.0644     Admin. Offices     314. 961.0171


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