Non-Classical Vocal Performance Major?

indigoexposed · 10-03-2007, 11:55 AM

Hello. I was wondering if anyone knew of any schools in the New England or Mid-Atlantic region that offer a major in NON-CLASSICAL vocal performance. My dream is to one day become a contemporary singer, and I was wondering if there are any schools that offer such a major. Schools within close traveling distance of southwestern CT would be particularly ideal. Thanks!

ABlestMom · 10-03-2007, 01:04 PM

Contemporary as in pop? CT - meaning commutable to southwestern Connecticut?

VicAria · 10-03-2007, 01:24 PM

You might want to look into jazz-oriented voice departments. They're not contemporary, exactly, but they'll certainly come closer than a classical-based department.

Berklee in Boston has a jazz emphasis.

UMass-Amherst has a jazz program. I am not sure where, or if, vocals fit into that.

Two in Philadelphia: Temple and University of the Arts.

You might want to look into SUNY-Purchase.

Also, if you search the terms "contemporary" and "pop" within the music majors forum, you'll come up with quite a few threads.

New York City is within commuting distance of sw CT. Look into Manhattan School of Music or NYU-Steinhardt.

violadad · 10-03-2007, 06:03 PM

The New School in Manhattan (parent school of Mannes) has a program you might want to look at http://www.jazz.newschool.edu/. From what I can see it is not under the Mannes umbrella, but a completely different program.

shennie · 10-03-2007, 07:23 PM

You're right, violadad. The Jazz school at New School is completely seperate from Mannes.

indigoexposed · 10-04-2007, 06:28 AM

I wouldn't want to do anything in the realms of jazz, opera, or classical. It would have to be pop vocals. It seems like there aren't any colleges that offer a major in anything like this.

violadad · 10-04-2007, 06:41 AM

It might be worth your time to check the full range of schools suggested. If you examine a couple of these programs, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

It is sometimes possible to work within an existing program for specific goals, sometimes not.

Try Belmont in Nashville.

Another one to look into is the College of Santa Fe, although it's not in the geographic parameters you mention.

*KatMT* · 10-04-2007, 07:37 AM

Belmont is also the first school that popped into my mind. They have one of (if not the) top commercial music program in the US.

henrob · 10-04-2007, 03:29 PM

My son and daughter-in-law graduated from Belmont. She was a Commercial vocal performance major. Many great non-classical singers are there. For that area of music, I highly recommend Belmont.