|
|
Somteul Vocal School (솜틀 보컬 스쿨) is a vocal-focused performing arts school. Located in Seoul, South Korea, Somteul Vocal School provides aspiring musicians with an academic program suited to their artistic needs. Although the school is most known for its vocal program, it also offers a variety of other performing arts programs, such as dance, rap, instrumental studies, and acting, to name a few. The school is a top choice for idol trainees who are also students, as it provides flexible study options for them.
History[]
Somteul Vocal School was founded in 2001 by musician and scholar Park Yunhan. Yunhan wanted to create a school for aspiring musicians and vocalists that allowed them to grow their skills along with their academic studies. The first year of students consisted of 50 people, all in their first year of high school. Although the school was still finding its footing and did have some problems, the students who were first years that year look back on it fondly.
In 2003, the school officially had all three years of high school students enrolled. As the school was a private school, it could afford some of the top vocal teachers a school could hire. As well, the academic side of the school was flourishing.
The first graduating class graduated in 2004. All of the students who graduated that year went on to pursue music careers.
Notable Current Students[]
- Lee Lily (trainee under SUN Entertainment)
- Mun Sungkyoung (AISA)
- Suh Jinhee (AISA)
Notable Alumni[]
Here are some of the notable alumni of Somteul Vocal School, listed with their main sub-program.
- Choi Taejoo (Road to ZERO)
- Oh Baekyu - Rhythm Studies (ARRS Entertainment trainee)
- Han Haneul - Street Dance Studies (LILAC Studios trainee)
- Tae Eunchong (UNA1, Road to ZERO) - Contemporary Studies
- Yeo Kyuwon (UNA1, Road to ZERO) - Rhythm Studies
- Jin Hyunah - Opera Vocal Studies
- Yeon Giroo - Lyricism Studies
Programs[]
The school has five main programs, with sub-programs that students can choose multiple of to pursue, with one as their main sub-program.
- Vocal Studies
- Pop Vocal Studies
- Opera Vocal Studies
- Traditional Vocal Studies
- Dance Studies
- Street Dance Studies
- Ballet Studies
- Jazz Studies
- Tap Studies
- Contemporary Studies
- Rap Studies
- Lyricism Studies
- Rhythm Studies
- Instrument Studies
- Piano Studies
- Guitar Studies
- Violin Studies
- Percussion Studies
- Traditional Instrument Studies
- Acting Studies
- Stage Studies
- Musical Studies
- Film Studies
- Composition Studies
- Music Theory Studies
- Music Creation Studies
- Visual Arts Studies
- Photography Studies
- Cinematography Studies
Uniform[]
The Somteul Vocal School uniform is distinctly known for its dark blueish-purple main colour with a light blueish-purple accent. The styling options for the Somteul Vocal School uniforms are very flexible. The normal boys uniform for winter consists of a white collared shirt, a blazer-style jacket, a tie, and dress trousers. The normal girls uniform for winter consists of a white collared shirt, a blazer-style jacket, a bowtie, a knee-length pleated skirt, and tights or leggings. Plenty of students also opt to wear hoodie style outwear, or sweaters under their jackets. The normal boys uniform for summer consists of a short sleeve white button-up shirt, a tie, and lighter dress trousers. The normal girls uniform for summer consists of a short sleeve white blouse, a bowtie, and a pleated skirt. The summer uniforms also have many variations that the students wear. As the school has a “non-gendered clothing” policy, students don’t have to follow any sort of gender norm-based dress code when styling their uniforms. This also allows more choice for non-binary students at the school. There are also no restrictions on hair dye or makeup.
Groups[]
The school has multiple vocal-based student groups that perform at events outside of school-related activities, although they do perform at school events. These groups are mostly made of a certain quota of students from different years, and take auditions every year.
- Somteul Quartet
Somteul Quartet is the school's most popular vocal group. It was the first vocal group formed by the school, in 2003. The group has four members, with one first year, one second year, and two third years. The group is normally for female-presenting students, but a couple male-presenting students have been in the group. The group is known for being skilled at harmonization, and do rigorous acapella training. Somteul Quartet has won five first place awards at group singing competitions as of now since 2003.
- The Ballets
The Ballets was formed in 2005 by a group of students who were both vocal students and had taken ballet lessons, before the school had dance programs. The group consists of eight members, and put more emphasis on second years. Currently, the group is for students doing the ballet program.
Crews[]
Crews are similar to the school's groups, except they are for things other than vocals.
- Somteul Vocal School Dance Crew
Somteul Vocal School Dance Crew is Somteul Vocal School's main dance-focused crew. The crew usually does hip-hop choreographies, but has competed with contemporary choreographies as well. The crew has competed and won at international competitions, and are quite well-known in the high school scene. The crew takes audition every year, and has around 20 students in the crew on average.
- River Sun K-Pop Cover Crew
River Sun K-Pop Cover Crew is Somteul Vocal School's main K-Pop dance cover crew. The crew practices K-Pop dance covers and performs them at school events, as well as posting them online. The crew takes auditions throughout the year, and has around 30 students in the crew on average.
Program Descriptions[]
Vocal Studies
The vocal studies program is the central core of Somteul Vocal School. Most students take at least one class from the vocal studies program while attending the school. Through the vocal studies program, students can learn the ins and outs of singing. Through technique classes, practice sessions, and lectures from professional singers, students gain the knowledge they need to improve their vocal skills.
The pop vocal studies program focuses on techniques common in pop music. Most idol trainee students take this program, as it teaches them about singing in their career path. Students will learn about current pop singers, as well as pop singers who helped develop the style. As well, students will get the opportunity to learn from top pop singers through various special lectures.
The opera vocal studies program focuses on techniques common in opera singing. Students taking this program are usually planning to pursue careers in opera. The program teaches about the history of opera, as well as how opera singing has evolved.
The traditional vocal studies program focuses on techniques common in traditional Korean music. Students taking this program usually are encouraged to pursue degrees in Korean music. The program teaches the students a lot about pansori specifically.
Dance Studies
The dance studies program is the second most popular program of Somteul Vocal School. Many students participate in at least one class from the dance studies program while attending the school. Through the dance studies program, students will learn both techniques and the history of dance. Through choreography sessions, technique sessions, and lectures from professional dancers, students gain the knowledge they need to grow as dancers.
The street dance studies program focuses on techniques of street dance. Students taking this program will learn about hip-hop and its many sub-genres within the dance style. The program spends a lot of time teaching the students the history of hip-hop, and brings in a lot of professional dancers to teach classes.
The ballet studies program focuses on techniques of ballet. Students taking this program will learn the fundamentals and advanced techniques of ballet. The program allows the students to choose between pointe and non-pointe classes.
The jazz studies program focuses on techniques of jazz. Students taking this program will learn about the jazz dance style. The program is known for being a good choice for beginner dancers.
The tap studies program focuses on techniques of tap. Students taking this program will learn about the tap dance style. The program is the most difficult dance studies program to enter as a beginner.
The contemporary studies program focuses on techniques of contemporary. Students taking this program will learn about the contemporary dance style. The program teaches a lot about expressing emotion through dance.
Rap Studies
The rap studies program is one of the smaller programs of Somteul Vocal School. Students who wants to either become lyricists or rapper take classes from this program. Through the rap studies program, students will learn about the history of rap and the techniques. Through different types of sessions and lectures, students will gain the knowledge they need to grow as rapper or lyricists.
The lyricism studies program focuses on teaching students how to write lyrics. Students taking this program will learn the basics of lyric writing, such as rhyme, tone, and style. The program teaches about lyricism with more of rap influence rather than a vocal influence.
The rhythm studies program focuses on techniques of rap. Students taking this program will learn the fundamentals of rap. The program teaches students how to develop their own style.
Instrument Studies
The instrument studies program is a popular program in Somteul Vocal School. Students who are interesting in learning how to play a certain instrument take classes from this program. Through the instrument studies program, students will learn how to play specific instruments. Through practice sessions and lectures, students will gain the knowledge they need to grow as musicians.
The piano studies program focuses on teaching the fundamentals and techniques of piano.
The guitar studies program focuses on teaching the fundamentals and techniques of guitar.
The violin studies program focuses on teaching the fundamentals and techniques of violin.
The percussion studies program focuses on teaching the fundamentals and techniques of percussion.
The traditional instrument studies program focuses on teaching the fundamental and techniques of tradition Korean instruments.
Acting Studies
The acting studies program is a program for aspiring actors in Somteul Vocal School. Students from many programs take classes in this program. Through the acting studies program, students will learn about the history of theater and the techniques of acting. Through practice sessions and lectures, students will gain the knowledge they need to grow as actors.
The stage studies program focuses on stage acting. Students taking this program will learn about the history of stage acting, and will learn the techniques of stage acting. The program has a specialty of teaching improv acting, as well as teaching about the technical side of theater.
The musical studies program focuses on musicals. Students taking this program will learn acting, dancing, and singing. The program has a lot of crossover with other programs.
The film studies program focuses on filmed acting. Students taking this program will learn how to act on camera, as seen in dramas or movies. The program also teaches about the technical side of film.
Composition Studies
The composition studies program is a program for aspiring composers in Somteul Vocal School. Students in the instrument program often take classes in this program. Through the composition studies program, students will learn about music and the technical side of music. Through hands-on sessions and lectures, students will gain the knowledge they need to grow as composers.
The music theory studies program focuses on the technical side of composing. Students taking this program will learn how to conduct instrumentalists and write music. The program is orchestral focused.
The music creation studies program focuses on the digital side of composing. Students taking this program will learn how to compose using software. The program teaches more about the commercial music side of composing.
Visual Arts Studies
The visual arts studies program is a program that focuses on other art forms from the other programs. Students taking this program are usually less focused on performing arts and more on studio art. Through the visual arts program, students will learn about art using technology. Through hands-on sessions and lectures, students will gain the knowledge they need to grow as artists.
The photography studies program focuses on photography. Students taking this program will learn about digital photography and older photography techniques. The program allows the students to learn the techniques that professional photographers use.
The cinematography studies program focuses on cinematography and film. Students taking this program will learn about the art of cinematography and how it is used in film to help convey a story. The program also offers classes in scriptwriting.