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Home Programs VIMA 2025 Track Details

Choral Singers

World-class training and performances

Varna International Music Academy (VIMA) offers rich and versatile choral ensemble training, led by Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera and our Choir Master. For the first time, VIMA is offering choral singers four different options for applicants to participate in Summer 2025. Choral singer applicants will have the choice of being exposed to oratorio, opera, musical theater, or a combination of the three. Join singers from throughout the country for world-class training and performances in major cities of South Carolina, including the Capital City of Columbia, as well as the cities of Greenville, Rock Hill, and Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand.

NOTE: Choral singers are also encouraged to apply for featured and supporting roles in the academy’s fully staged opera or musical theater production. To be considered for a featured or supporting role, please submit a video audition (see audition requirements under the Opera, Musical Theater, & Oratorio section) and resumé with your application form. Otherwise, only a resumé is required.


OPTION 1: Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor

DATES: JUNE 8 – JUNE 14, 2025
(Arrive on June 7, depart on June 15)
TUITION: $1190 PER WEEK
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $892 PER WEEK**

What's Included:
  • Perform in the chorus of Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • One 45-minute voice lesson taught by a Metropolitan Opera singer
  • Daily ensemble rehearsals with the Choir Master
  • Vocal masterclasses
  • German diction classes (optional)
  • French diction classes (optional)

OPTION 2: Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor & Chanson du Soir Recital

DATES: JUNE 2 – JUNE 14, 2025
(Arrive on June 1, depart on June 15)
TUITION: $1190 PER WEEK (2-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $2380)
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $892 PER WEEK (2-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $1785)**

What's Included:
  • Perform in the chorus of Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform in one Chanson du Soir recital (optional – must apply & submit recording)
  • One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers (total of 2 voice lessons)
  • Daily ensemble rehearsals with the Choir Master
  • Vocal masterclasses
  • French diction classes (required if participating in Chanson du Soir recital)
  • German diction classes (optional)

OPTION 3: Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor, A Grand Night for Singing: A Musical Revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Chanson du Soir Recital

DATES: JUNE 2 – JUNE 21, 2025
(Arrive on June 1, depart on June 22)
TUITION: $1190 PER WEEK (3-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $3570)
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $892.50 PER WEEK (3-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $2677.50)**

What's Included:
  • Perform in the chorus of Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform in the ensemble of A Grand Night for Singing: A Musical Revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform in one Chanson du Soir recital (optional – must apply & submit recording)
  • One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan singers (total of 3 voice lessons)
  • Daily ensemble rehearsals with the Choir Master
  • Vocal masterclasses
  • French diction classes (required if participating in Chanson du Soir recital)
  • German diction classes

OPTION 4: Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor, Die Fledermaus, A Grand Night for Singing: A Musical Revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Chanson du Soir Recital

DATES: JUNE 2 – JUNE 29, 2025
(Arrive on June 1, depart on June 30)
TUITION: $1190 PER WEEK (4-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $4760)
**EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $892 PER WEEK (4-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $3570)**

What's Included:
  • Perform in the chorus of Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform in the ensemble of A Grand Night for Singing: A Musical Revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein under the baton of Maestra Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform in the ensemble of Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
  • Perform in one Chanson du Soir recital (optional – must apply & submit recording)
  • One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers (total of 4 voice lessons)
  • Daily ensemble rehearsals with the Choir Master
  • Vocal masterclasses
  • French diction classes (required for participation in Chanson du Soir recital)
  • German diction classes (required for participation in Die Fledermaus)
Application & Audition Requirements:

Applicants for the Choral Singer Program must submit the following:

  • Application
  • Resumé (only if applying for a role)
  • Headshot (only if applying for a role)
  • No video audition is required unless you choose to apply for the Opera, Musical Theater, & Oratorio Program

Optional Add-Ons & Exclusions:

Accommodations:
Lodging will be in student campus housing (Columbia), in a hotel (Greenville), or in host homes (Coast). This is optional. Participants are welcome to make their own lodging arrangements.

  • Double occupancy: $350 per week (7 nights)
  • Single occupancy: $525 per week (7 nights)
Meals:
Meal availability depends on the city. Please see the breakdown below:
  • Columbia: Meal plan is available for $35 per day. This includes 3 meals each day provided by Columbia International University (CIU). Participants who opt for the meal plan must pay for the entire service. The meal plan cannot be modified.
  • Greenville: Participants responsible for all meals
  • Coast: Participants responsible for all meals
Ground Transportation:
Transportation during VIMA SC is included for those that add lodging to their program package, but participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport.

We encourage you to connect with other participants to make arrangements for shared rides during the program. Varna International will facilitate contact between participants to aid in your communication.