datripp

Does anyone know about the vocal department at Boston University?

neumes

I just had a conversation with my son's voice teacher, who called to ask about son's Indiana audition. I have to say that my s's voice teacher is not a fan of most conservatory voice programs, not even those associated with universities--he's critical of singers from most well-known places, and had some interesting comments about the Met finals, which he attended (of the finalists, he especially liked the young woman from British Columbia; and, by the way, he is impressed with the tenor singing Peter Grimes at the Met and pointed out that this young man did not make the Met finals...). Then he said something else interesting: A friend of his who runs a summer music festival told him that during recent auditions for singers, he was impressed time after time with singers from Wheaton College (the one in Illinois). So while this is hearsay, I'd say give it a look-see!

cartera45

I have enjoyed reading the vastly different reviews of the MONC competitions. The judging is so individual that any one of them or none of them might have moved forward with a different set of judges. I guess the ones who didn't advance can either find comfort or frustration in that.

theperformer

Can anyone explain a little bit more about the vocal program U Arts?

neumes

cartera,

I have looked for articles about the Met opera nationals and haven't seen many, although I haven't had time to look. I'd love to read some of your favorite reviews. I did read the NY Times story--the reviewer was not as enamored of the singer whom my son's voice teacher liked, and he praised one of the finalists whom son's teacher criticized for inappropriate interpretation--I don't want to get into details--I have no expertise in this area!--but it sure goes to show that one man's meat is another man's poison!

It's so clear that singing professionally--any musician?--must take a really thick skin and lots of self confidence, and awareness of where one fits into it all.

Anyone reading this stickied thread may also want to read this thread titled "Where they went to school"--a great companion thread, but not yet stickied.

Where they went to school

cartera45

One review was very technical and I didn't understand a lot of it - I know nothing about vocal technique - I'll try to find it. I think I read the NYTimes one also - some of the things I read were on a couple of opera forums - not so much reviews as informed opinions.

clarinetmom

I've been trying to make a chart of professors to see who they trained with (thanks CC members for the suggestion). I've come across a professors who teaches at two univesities in two different states. How is this possible? Is the common?

violadad

clarinetmom, it's not unusual to see applied faculty at a couple of institutions, even in different states, especially in the northeast where you've got small states, a tight arrangement of major metro areas and school concentrations.

There has been and continues to be faculty cross over between Juilliard, Mannes, Manhattan SOM, Hartt, SUNY Purchase & Stonybrook, Bard, Rutgers; and some of the schools within PA, OH, IN, TX and others.

Realize that in some cases the instructor may have a limited presence on campus.

clarinetmom

Thanks violadad
Should that impact the decision making process?

BassDad

And then there are people like Edgar Meyer, who is currently a faculty member at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Curtis in Philadelphia and the Royal Academy of Music in London, UK.

In addition to teaching at more than one college, many of the best teachers at the college level have jobs with one or more professional ensembles and/or a solo career of their own that also require frequent travel away from school. That is part of life as a professional musician. With any teacher so engaged, it is a good idea to speak with their current students to see how the logistics play out. It is not reasonable to expect to find these teachers on campus five days a week, but it is reasonable to expect a fairly consistent lesson schedule, occasional office hours and reasonably quick response to email.

violadad

Insofar as accessability, weekly lessons, studio classes are such an integral part of the performance major's curriculum, it makes sense that you would want contact with the instructor to be regular.

A lot depends on the specific school and faculty, and how the programs are structured. At certain schools, there may be a grad assistant or teaching assistant that will handle the studio, and some lessons in lieu of the named instructor. Instructor's own performing, visiting masterclass schedule may cause periodic absences and rescheduled lessons.

If you are applying to study with Artist X, it's reasonable to assume that X is actually providing the instruction, but it may not be the case.

Some info can be gleaned from current course catalogs, class schedules (many if not most are online accessible), but a direct approach is to ask the questions when visting, taking trial lessons, talking with current students. If it's an issue that needs to be clarified now in order to reach an actual deision for committment, call or email the instructor (or if need be the department chair) for background, clarification.

team_mom

Was speaking to a friend of D's from precollege, now a sophomore in college, who tells me that beginning this semester, she is allowed to sit in on the studio class with her renowned teacher and the grad students. 1 1/2 years into school! Granted, she is attending a school in which undergrads cannot major in music performance, but this person has been with her teacher since day 1. She tells me she is lucky, however, most of the teacher's undergrad students actually take lessons with teacher's grad students, she doesn't.

I've learned 3 things. I would never have suspected you could be a student of a teacher at a school and not be included in their studio, particularly in a place where everyone says it's a great place to study music.

And when it's S turn to look at schools-

Get assurances that S will participate in the teacher's studio from day one. And that the teacher will be the actual one teaching.

Singersmom07

Wow team_mom. I know she visited studio class where DD ended up, but it was not one of the questions she asked in the process. She asked about the teacher vs grad students for lessons, etc, but studio? Like you I am amazed. DD says so much learning goes on in the studio class where you can see everyone and learn from what they are doing, too. She has also learned to be critiqued by the upper class and grad students. It is also part of their learning as the professor guides it. We even got to sit in on studio during a parent's weekend. Definitely a question I woudl have added had I known.

mamenyu

For those interested in Oberlin for the coming years, it now has a site for "blogs" by current students and faculty that might be of interest. One of the bloggers is a double degree student in the Jazz program at the Conservatory and in the College.
Here's the link:
Oberlin - Obie Blogs

cvonhaps

A few of the top voice programs in the US (in my opinion are) as follows:

Indiana University – Jacobs School of Music
IU has a very large program...it’s some times called “the factory” as it turns out hundreds of young singers. They employ many of the finest voice teachers from across the nation. Many people have recognized that IU has hired many well known singers to teach there. Sylvia McNair and Carol Vaness are some of their most famous teachers. It must be noted however that the best teachers are not always the most famous singers…however I’ve heard good things about these two women. IU is raked #1 by US News online as a graduate school. Often undergraduates have complained that they are passed over for performance opportunities by more experienced graduate level singers. It is part of the huge Indiana University located in the Midwestern college town of Bloomington. Well known graduates include Angela Brown, Lawrence Brownlee, Elizabeth Futral and Heidi Grant Murphy. IU produces six fully staged operas each year.

University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music
CCM’s voice program is small in numbers. The school offers an acceptance to only 5-25 undergraduate students each year. The graduating classes tend to be around 12 students total. This school is one of a handful programs which only offers a place to students they feel confident will succeed and go on to have a successful career. They employ many of the nation’s top teachers such as Barbra Honn, Kenneth Shaw and Bill McGraw. CCM is rakend #3 by US News and World Report. It is a “self-governing” college of the large University of Cincinnati located in the large Midwestern City of Cincinnati, Ohio. The city has many performance opportunities as well as a thriving arts scene. Well known graduates of the program include David Daniles, Wayne Tiggs, Barbara Daniels and Kathleen Battle. CCM produces six fully staged operas each year including an undergraduate production.

University of Southern California – Thornton School of Music
USC’s voice program relatively small in numbers. The school offers an acceptance to only about thirty undergraduate students each year. They employ some of the nation’s top teachers such as Elizabeth Hynes. It is located in beautiful Pasadena California, a suburb of LA. It is a college of the large University of Southern California. Well known graduates include Rod Gilfry and some time ago Marilyn Horne. The school produces two fully staged operas each year and one program of staged opera scenes.

Oberlin College – Oberlin Conservatory
Oberlin offers a top notch program that is very small. They have a tradition of turning our top singers and for having a focus on their undergraduate students. While in the pastoral setting or rural Ohio – in Midwestern Ohio the school continually attracts top performers for their annual vocal concert. Oberlin is known internationally for its liberal and politically active student body and as a top liberal arts college. Last year Juan Diago Florez sang and Marilyn Horne offered master classes, this year Anne Sofie von Otter will sing. The school has a reputation for having fine teachers. One notable graduate of this program is Denyce Graves. Oberlin stages two operas a year.

The Julliard School
The world famous Julliard School has medium sized program. Admission numbers change from year to year based on the amount of talent heard at auditions. This school is one of a handful programs which only offers a place to students they feel confident will succeed and go on to have a successful career. They employ many of the nation’s top teachers such as Marlena Malas and Edith Bers. Julliard is an independent conservatory located at Lincoln Center in New York City. The school is just across the Street from the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and many other fine arts institutions. Often undergraduates have complained that they are passed over for performance opportunities by more experienced graduate level singers. A well known graduate is Renée Fleming. The school offers two fully staged productions each year.

Manhattan School of Music
MSM has a medium sized program. They accept about thirty students each year. They employ many of the nation’s top teachers. MSM is an independent conservatory located in Manhattan’s Manhattanville (near Columbia and Barnard) neighborhood, in Julliard’s old building. MSM is only a fifteen minute ride down the Red Line to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and many other fine arts institutions. Often undergraduates have complained that they are passed over for performance opportunities by more experienced graduate level singers. Well known graduates are Catharine Malfinato, Susan Graham, Dawn Upshaw and Dolora Zajick.

Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis is a small program. The school offers an acceptance to only 5-20 undergraduate students each year. The graduating classes tend to be around 12 students total. This school is one of a handful programs which only offers a place to students they feel confident will succeed and go on to have a successful career. The school offers the best American voice teachers – some of whom also teach at Manhattan or Juilliard. Curtis is an independent conservatory located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is unique in that student’s, once accepted, must only pay for living expenses. Tuition is provided by grants. Well known graduates are Juan Diego Flórez and long ago Anna Moffo.

Eastman is also very good, but I don't know much about it.

I feel that these are the top programs in America. Others include Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, the University of Michigan – School of Music, Northwestern University – School of Music, and Rice University – Sheppard School of Music. I know these schools have good reputations but I don’t know enough about them to write about them.