I’m currently searching for colleges where I can earn a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. I have already done a few auditions/prescreens, but I am looking to grow my list due to unforeseen circumstances. My main goal is to focus on classical and opera training, and I’d love to find a program with lots of performance opportunities, because i know a lot of bigger programs tend to reserve performance opportunities for masters students.
I am looking for a program with less competitive admissions. I’ve done mostly MT stuff, so i’m looking for a school that might be more willing to take a chance on someone with less classical experience.
in a similar vein, a Smaller or Lesser-Known Program might be a better fit because I know i’m not getting into Indiana, CCM, Rice, Etc.
I really want to get Performance Opportunities. weather that’s choirs, recitals, opera scenes, etc.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I cannot travel to auditions so i’m looking for schools that accept video auditions.
If anyone has any school recommendations I would love to hear them!
thank you so much for the help
SUNY Purchase is a conservatory based opera program. They put on 2 operas a year that are typically double cast. Basically no graduate student so lots of on stage opportunities. Also as a bonus it is relatively low cost so you are not racking up debt to start off.
as for not being able to travel for auditions I suggest you work directly with each school and explain your circumstances for not being able to travel to the audition.
If you’re applying for fall 2025, you likely missed most deadlines for application submission.
Ithaca comes to mind as a potentially good option as their acceptance rate is fairly high and there are no grad students in vocal performance, so all performance opportunities are for undergrads.
Look at James Madison University in VA. They have MM and DMA students, but also robust opportunities for undergrads in operas, scene programs, choirs, etc…
Look for schools with rolling admissions, like Shenandoah University or later admissions deadlines - DePaul comes to mind. There are a lot of state schools that you can still apply to, so it depends on which state you are in or which OOS works for your family. Please check out the thread for Music School admissions, if you are not there yet:
DePaul’s SOM deadline for fall is January 6. It does require a prescreen. That said, DePaul’s auditioned vocal acceptance rate was something like 8% last year, so I wouldn’t really categorize it as less competitive.
You may want to check out liberal arts colleges that have music programs that are welcoming to BA music students and non-majors. Saint Olaf College and Lawrence University come to mind. I think either of those will take a video audition. But there are others. Luther College? Gettysburg? Definitely check out Shenendohah too.
That said, given the late date, you could just apply to a range of school for a BA and research the music faculty and options on campus. You don’t necessarily have to do a performance program. Or could start in a BA program and audition into performance when you get on campus. Saint Olaf starts many/most of their music students on a BA path I believe. Good luck!
I’m not sure where you are located, but both Butler University and DePauw University in Indiana have strong voice programs and are still accepting applications. I think both would be open to virtual auditions too.
And the faculty at both are super friendly and easy to work with. I would suggest emailing them if you are interested and have extenuating circumstances.