<p>I’m a mediocre singer, so I was wondering if there are any non-audition (or very non-competitive) programs for a BM in vocal performance?</p>
<p>Okay - here’s the obvious question - if you’re a mediocre singer why do you want to get a performance degree in vocal music? If you’re interested in studying about music, rather than performing it, there are other options. You can always sing in a non-audition choir for pleasure.</p>
<p>Yes, there are smaller schools that will probably accept you if that’s you’re dream, or they may encourage a vocal music degree that will give you more options. Be prepared to work very hard and practice many long hours. As one school told our audition group last year, it’s not so much where you start as the potential to get where you have to be.</p>
<p>I don’t know of any programs that don’t have an audition requirement, so practice and pick repertoire that really shows off your voice in the best light if that is what you really want.</p>
<p>If you’re not very good at singing but you really really want to be so much that you’re sure you want to be a vocal major, there are a few options… </p>
<p>You could take a year or two off to take general education classes inexpensively at a CC and work with vocal instructors/gain more experience singing before auditioning for music programs. </p>
<p>Or you could try auditioning for a few less competitive music programs (try LACs, most of them outside Oberlin aren’t known for music but probably still have your basic music major with performance curriculum) and applying for programs within the more competitive ones in music education, musicology, music industry… something you’d have a better chance of getting into and you could still have opportunities to take voice-oriented ensembles and private lessons within the music school you attend… and possibly even switch majors or get into grad school for voice if you show great improvement.</p>
<p>Also you probably already know this, but keep in mind that music degrees aren’t all fun and games. If you don’t think you’re good enough to get into any decent audition programs, be prepared to play catch-up in an already pretty intense major.</p>