isravoice

I've been aceepted to these 2 great schools with partial scholarships and i'm in a dilema. both are big Universities and both have great undergrad vocal performance programs!!! please help me decide

mommybird

Congratulations, isravoice! 2 great schools to choose from. Similar in size, location, quality, and (probably) cost for you since you don't mention a difference. Teacher was the deciding factor for my son and teacher may be the deciding factor for you. Did you request a teacher or have any sample lessons? or visit and observe any?

isravoice

I've been e-mailed by Freda Herseth the head of the vocal department in UMich where she told me she's saving me a spot in her studio and i've been corresponding with Carol Vaness from IU.
so the decision is most complicated for me.

mommybird

You really should try to have a lesson with each if possible. I realize time is running out. Teacher-student working relationship is very important.

isravoice

It's a bit problematic since i live abroad and decision time is in less than 2 weeks.
which would you choose???
thanx

violinmom

Perhaps you could have your current teacher call or email these two teachers and discuss your strengths & weaknesses, personality, rep., voice, etc etc ... When my son was preparing to make a decision, his violin teacher called his prospective teacher and they ended up speaking many hours about his playing, things he needed to work on, etc. It was very helpful. If your teacher can communicate w/ the teachers (and take notes), then the two of you can sit down and perhaps make a more rational, thought-out decision. Of course having a lesson is the best way - but living overseas, I can see where that just won't work for you. Also, have you spoken at length with the teachers? There are other websites where voice students discuss working with certain teachers - you might get some info there as well. At any rate - congratulations on two exceptional opportunities -- I wouldn't want to have to face that decision, but I bet you would do well with either one. Good luck!

nycm

if you are considering academics AND music, UMich is great, but for music alone both are wonderful schools...I think UMich voice studios are smaller...maybe that translates into more opportunities, but maybe not (IU has more grad students) Good luck with a tough decision!

stringfollies

I have heard that IU undergraduate voice students have a hard time getting solo performance opportunities. I understand that there is one teacher there (perhaps the one you're interested in) who makes a lot of the solo performance decisions and her students take the lead. You might want to find out if that is the teacher you would have. Also, I think that all or almost all the opera roles (maybe even the chorus) are sung by graduate students. I knew an undergraduate voice major there a few years ago who had a hard time with this. It might be the same at Michigan, but I'm not familiar with their voice program. I would definitely ask about this if I were in your shoes.

fiddlefrog

The flip side of this is that the level of vocal performance at IU is out of this world... yes, I'm sure that can make it hard to get performance opportunities as an undergrad, but it's a fantastic environment for singers in terms of stimulation/modeling/competition.

lorelei2702

Michigan is a better program for undergraduate voice. Its graduate students are just as successful as those of IU, just not quite so many of them. It has a strong collaborative piano program under the auspices of Martin Katz, and that is important as a resource. It is harder academically to get into Michigan as an undergraduate, with the requirement to be accepted by the university before an audition will be scheduled. It stands to reason that peers will be better academic students. Either way, you will be surrounded by fine professionals. Good luck with your decision.

radronOmega

Well it's easier to find placement at Michigan.

But if you think you can handle the competition at Indiana, then that will only elevate your game that much more. Just assess how confident you are with your abilities.

isravoice

thank you all for your opinions they were greatly appreciated.
I have made my decision and i'm enrolled in IU. I took all the factors into considertions and i decided IU was the place for me. I knew from the audition week it was at the top of my list and although UMich has given me a lot to think about I just think it's important to have a great teacher and IU has THE BEST!! even if there are less performance oppurtunities at IU for undergraduate I feel that my undergraduate degree should be the place where I get all the tools I need to suceed and for my graduate degree i'll find the place that gives me the most performance oppurtunities and helps me with my career.
THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!

cartera45

isravoice - congratulations on the decision. It is very exciting that you were able to get into Carol Vaness' studio. Don't forget to come back here and update everyone about your experiences there.

MomofWildChild

I think you made the right decision. Congratulations and GO HOOSIERS!!! My daughter's best friend and roommate (and maid of honor to be) from Interlochen (high school) graduated in composition last year (also is a vocalist) and is still there in grad school. PM me if you want to contact her for any info.

stringfollies

Congratulations! It sounds like you've made a wise decision. I hope you'll be happy there.