A Visit to Vienna, the World’s City of Music

2022 ICVT | For the Sake of Music

By Sarah Holman, International Region Governor

Melodious strains of Mozart met our ears in the incomparable acoustic of the Mozart-Saal at the Wiener Konzerthaus for the opening session of the 10th ICVT held in Vienna, the “world’s city of music,” August 3-6, 2022. Young opera singers and voice teachers from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw) performed scenes from Le nozze di Figaro followed by music of Arnold Schoenberg and Franz Schubert with collaborative pianists Pantelis Polychronidis and Oliver Stech. The grand courtyard of the Wiener Rathaus, a spacious and elegant setting, captured the significant history of Vienna for the opening dinner reception complimented by contemporary music performances.

Singers from University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw) perform scenes from Le nozze di Figaro at the opening session.

Martin Vácha in coordination with Helga Meyer Wagner and their committee tenaciously planned for five years to weave together a powerful program of Plenum Lectures including Peter Berne, Ken Bozeman, Christian Glanz, and Markus Gugatschka. Working deftly in the wake of Thomas Hampson’s unfortunate need to quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure, baritone Adrian Eröd joined Professors Anne-Marie Speed and Claudia Visca in a skillful Plenum Masterclass series.

It was a joy to finally be able attend this conference after the need to postpone in 2021 due to COVID-19. We reveled in seeing our past ICVT friends and marveled to meet in person our new international Zoom friends made during the pandemic. The program cluster arrangement featured rich and diverse breakout sessions revolving around the themes of identity, life, methods, and repertoire. Participants from 32 countries and five continents (including 92 NATS members!) came together to share their research and expertise. We listened with intent, support, curiosity, and respect. We reflected, discussed, clarified, and grew. We bonded over Schnitzel and Sachertorte and found our way to the Heurigen in a celebratory Viennese tavern visit.

NATS International Coordinator Marvin Keenze (second from right) is recognized for his lifetime of service to ICVT flanked on the left by Martin Vacha, ICVT 10 Chair and right by Allen Henderson, NATS Executive Director.

Attendees had the joy and privilege of honoring Marvin Keenze in his last year as the international coordinator of NATS. He worked diligently through his career with NATS, fostering the growth of international vocal organizations around the world and the establishment of ICVT. Countless teachers and singers have had their careers molded and significantly shaped because of his vision and commitment. NATS President Diana Allan announced that NATS would host the next ICVT in Toronto in 2025. The closing ceremony of the 2022 ICVT conference brought us together in song not only for the sake of music but also for the noble art of singing!