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On a typical day at the Curtis Institute of Music, classical music rings out from the stately building on Rittenhouse Square. Inside, student singers are given individual lessons or play in small groups.
Pupils in the Vocal Studies Department hit the high notes as instructors listen. Seated at the ivories, Bonnie Wagner has a key role as the vocal studies pianist. During lessons, rehearsals and recitals, the South Philadelphian provides a foundation that helps the singers set the tempo and mood.
The prestigious conservatory attracts gifted musicians from around the world, all undergoing a rigorous audition process. Once accepted, they attend on full scholarships and many go on to illustrious careers.
"They are tremendously talented," Wagner said of the students. "This department is very special and every singer has something unique. And they are great to work with."
Currently, there are 23 students in the department. Ranging in age from 18 to 27, they come from places as distant as Turkey and Israel and as close as Canada and parts of the U.S.
At 26, Wagner is one of the youngest faculty members at Curtis. Her colleagues are distinguished musicians, quite a few of which are or were members of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
During a typical week, Wagner spends three days at Curtis, playing more than 50 different pieces during students’ voice lessons — and most of them without rehearsal since she doesn’t know in advance which songs are assigned to each pupil. "I show up and I play whatever they put in front of me," she said.
The music covers the gamut, from the operatic to art songs known as German lieder and French chansons.
Since most operas are not written in English, students are required to master foreign-language diction. Wagner also is part of this process. Thursdays, she accompanies students singing in German for their diction coach and Fridays, the language is Italian.
The Friday students have been rehearsing for a Curtis production of Puccini’s "La Rondine," to be presented in concert at the Prince Music Theater 8 p.m. March 30 and 2:30 p.m. April 1.
Often during rehearsals, the students practice a selection six times or more. Wagner patiently plays as often as needed and, on occasion, she’ll offer advice — but only when asked.
"Sometimes a coach will turn to me and ask my opinion about the tempo," she said. "Or they’ll say, ‘Does this sound right to you?’ But I wait to be asked. I don’t want to get in the way."
She takes a more active role when working with students preparing for recitals. In this case, there’s no teacher involved. "It’s wonderful to work with the singers one on one," Wagner said, "but it also means I’m much more responsible."
She also accompanies them at their recitals, free events held in the Curtis concert hall that are open to the public.
A recent Friday evening, Wagner was one of the two staff pianists at a recital presented by Vocal Studies students. Twelve future opera stars sang for an appreciative full house. Wagner sat at the Steinway on stage with the soloists and, even though the spotlight was on them, her technical skills were on full display as her fingers flew over the keys. At times the chords were crashing and dramatic; other moments, the notes were soft and gentle.
Besides her work at Curtis, this versatile musician is staff pianist in a very different setting. Wednesday evenings, she is the sole pianist at the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus’ rehearsals. At these hour sessions, the singers prepare for three major concerts each season.
Their upcoming program March 16 and 17, titled "Sounds of the Silver Screen," features music from films — everything from "Moulin Rouge" to "Brokeback Mountain."
"This is my fun job," Wagner said. "It’s nice to be able to sit down and not play serious music."
Even though it’s light-hearted, she takes it very seriously. Last February, when the concert theme was 1940s’ music, Wagner took a lesson with a jazz pianist to more fully prepare.
Now in her second season with the chorus, she respects the high standards of artistic director Joseph Buches. "He’s very demanding, and the blended sound of these voices is very precise," she said.
The chorus consists of almost 100 men, including several from South Philly, and Wagner is the only woman.
"It’s a very close-knit community and they welcomed me right away," she said.
She’s formed close friendships with some singers, and enjoys going out with them after rehearsals. Their favorite spot is Woody’s, a Center City gay bar near the rehearsal venue.
The busy pianist still has more activities. Once a week, she works with voice students at West Chester University and often accompanies them to recitals. She also finds time to give private lessons at her home at 12th and Tasker streets, where she teaches piano and coaches singers. Her students include several who are doing graduate work in voice at Temple University and a 12-year-old prodigy who, along with studying piano and music theory with Wagner, takes violin lessons with a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Wagner herself started studying piano at 7. A native of Los Altos, Calif., she earned a bachelor of music in piano performance and then a master’s at the University of Michigan. Before coming to Curtis, she taught at the Settlement Music School and played for musicians auditioning with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Along with being active in chamber music, Wagner performs in many concerts. In summer 2005, she was the sole organizer for the series Center City Chamber Recitals.
"It was the most stressful summer I’ve ever had," she said. "But I’m glad I did it." And she’ll be at it again, this time organizing a mini-series for May and June. She then heads to the Tanglewood Music Center for her second-straight summer in the Berkshires, where she will be one of six vocal pianists to participate.
Her busy life doesn’t leave much time for leisure, but when she’s not at the keyboard, she enjoys a variety of restaurants on nearby East Passyunk Avenue. She also likes to cook and, while stirring, often listens to jazz. "I love it!" she said, also confessing to a fondness for Top-40 pop.
But that’s all music for relaxation. When at Curtis, the dedicated pianist is immersed in the world of classical sounds. Seated at the keyboard, she’s keenly attuned to the students who sing their hearts out.
"There’s such a consistently high level of musicianship from every student," she said. "And there’s always a new challenge for me. I’m inspired to do my best because of them."
