Master Coach Charles Kemper

Charles Kemper, pianist, has taught at St. Olaf College, Northwestern College, and Bethel University. A native of Houston, Texas, Charles made his debut with the Houston Symphony at the age of 17, playing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto. He has earned several degrees in piano performance, including a doctor of musical arts degree from Yale University. He has appeared as a soloist with the New Haven Symphony, University of Houston Orchestra, Yale Philharmonia, and the Jacksonville Symphony. Charles has been the VocalEssence staff accompanist since 1993 and is organist at Calvary Church in Roseville, MN.

Advice from Charles Kemper:

Do's: Know the translation or meaning of your text. If you're having trouble with the rhythm, write out the counts above your music (but not on the music you give to the auditioners). Use common courtesy and have a good friendly relationship with your accompanist: be responsible with time and money and messages. Copies must be readable with all the notes on the page, not cut off at the bottom or top, and preferably as it was in the book with pages on both sides of the copy and in a folder. Do be prepared to sing some of the music a capella, to give a tempo that you would prefer to your accompanist.

Don't: throw terrifically difficult music at an accompanist you hire for just one rehearsal or performance. Never conduct your accompanist (it is demeaning to whomever is watching). Never treat your accompanist as your servant (carrying bags, doing errands, etc.). Don't show up at an audition without at two or three contrasting styles of repertoire. Don't schedule an audition that you know you are too ill or unprepared to do.