Guest Artist: Thomas Grubb, Author of Singing in French: A Manual of French Diction and French Vocal Repertoire
Overview: In homage to legendary French song interpreter, Pierre Bernac, and the 35 year anniversary of his passing, singers are invited to participate in an afternoon session of exploration of French Mélodie given by Thomas Grubb, a leading interpreter of French Song and master teacher at the Juilliard School. Thomas Grubb's mentor, Bernac, was the noted French baritone and author of The Interpretation of French Song and of Francis Poulenc: the Man and his Songs. An illuminating and enjoyable afternoon is promised to all.
Previously he served on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music (1964-1985), The Curtis Institute of Music (1970-1977) and the Academy of Vocal Arts (1977-1983), both in Philadelphia, as well as at New York University in the early 1970s. From 1970 until 1977, Thomas Grubb assisted the renowned maitre of French song, Pierre Bernac, in his master classes throughout the United States, Canada and France as both pianist and coach. Mr. Bernac eventually became his primary mentor and the inspiration for his specialization in French Vocal Repertoire. In addition, Pierre Bernac generously monitored the writing and editing of Mr. Grubb’s above-mentioned book Among his most influential piano teachers were Magda Tagliaferro, with whom he studied in Paris for three years, as well as Dora Zaslavsky and Artur Balsam with whom he studied at the Manhattan School of Music where he earned his Master of Music degree in Applied Piano in 1966. In 1962, Mr. Grubb received a Master of Arts degree in French Literature from Yale University Graduate School and in 1960 his Bachelor of Arts in French and Piano from the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music.
As a performing pianist, Thomas Grubb has appeared in recital with Elly Ameling, Benita Valente, Eleanor Steber, Elizabeth Mannion and Dawn Upshaw, plus numerous others. He also made two North American concert tours with the French trumpet-player, Maurice André, as both pianist and translator. Mr. Grubb has recorded for both the Orion and the Lyrachord labels with Carol Kimball, mezzo-soprano, and Gerald Tarack, violinist. Thomas Grubb has given master classes throughout the United States, in France, Germany, Lithuania, Korea, and annually in Taiwan from 1991 until 2006. In the coming year he will be giving a series of classes in Auckland, New Zealand. Mr. Grubb has participated as adjudicator for the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions, the International Voice Competition of Paris, the Fulbright Commission Auditions, the Rockefeller American Music Competition of Carnegie Hall, various NATS competitions and those of the Oratorio Society of New York. In May, 2002, Mr. Grubb was decorated as Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in Paris for his advancement of French culture throughout the world.
Presently, Thomas Grubb is working on a second edition of his Singing in French as well as a companion book to Pierre Bernac’s Interpretation of French Song. While he continues to coach at New York City Opera and teach at the Juilliard School, he maintains a private studio on the Upper West Side of Manhattan not far from Lincoln Center where he has resided since 1974. Thomas Grubb was born in Bridgehampton, New York and is an American citizen.
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