Performing students will learn about pop rock in a special class.
Sheri Sanders, a teacher from New York and author of Rock the Audition: How to prepare for and Get Cast in Rock Musicals, will be holding a master class on pop rock in music theater on Oct. 4-6. Theater students at Oklahoma City University have been invited to attend.
Sanders created a program that focuses on pop rock and its use in auditions. It is part of a week of master classes created by alumni for OCU students in partnership in Sanders.
Marcus Canada, music theater senior, will be attending the class.
“I want to learn more about pop rock, it’s kind of a new audition requirement and new skill to have, and I want to be more comfortable bringing that in,” said Canada.
According to Canada, students are excited for this opportunity. Students recognize that contemporary music will become an important piece in musical theater and the audition process.
“Sherry Sanders is an expert in this field, and we’re really lucky that we get to have this connection and resource going forward,” said Canada.
Vance Klassen, music theater senior, said she is on tour and travelling to universities with top tier programs. Klassen said they were lucky to have an opportunity to learn from her.
“Sherry Sanders is one of the most sought-after pop rock coaches in New York,” Klassen said.
Both Canada and Klassen said Broadway is heading toward a contemporary style of music and Sanders has a knowledge about that style and how to use it for auditions.
“For me, it’s one of my biggest goals to figure out what style of songs I can bring to an audition,” said Klassen.
Students will be able to learn about different styles of music in the course, Klassen said. Sanders distinguishes the difference between traditional and contemporary music in style in diction. Her teachings also go over different decades of music. Klassen said she focuses on how to audition with a piece of contemporary music, a skill sought by many theater students.
The Wanda Bass School of Music created a partnership where students can take her online course.
Sanders’ master class will begin on Oct. 4. The class is the weekend from Friday to Sunday. Music and theater students are welcome to attend.
According to an email sent to performing students, from 2:30-6 p.m. on Oct. 4 in Petree Auditorium in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center, Sanders will cover Motown, 70’s folk/rock, and some disco. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 in Petree Auditorium, Sanders will cover disco, 80’s pop/rock, contemporary pop/rock, hip-hop, and R&B. From 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in FA344 in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center, Sanders will cover hip-hop, R&B, country, and poetic music.
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