Major: Voice and Opera
Singers showcase one of the most expressive and beautiful musical instruments on earth -- the human voice. In preparation for professional careers, voice students learn, practice, and perform a variety of vocal pieces, from baroque arias to great nineteenth-century operatic roles.
If you are a singer at heart but also love acting, an opera program may be a great fit. But get ready to add some real drama to the typical music student’s fare of weekly private lessons, nightly rehearsals, and theory classes. Opera singers-in-training also take classes in acting, movement, stagecraft, and even make-up.
Students of voice and opera perfect their skills as singers. Lessons, classes, and recitals help students develop a personal style and prepare them for performing as soloists or ensemble players in choirs or opera companies.
Did You Know?
- As an undergraduate voice student, you should spend no more than about three hours singing each day to prevent injury.
Are You Ready To...?
- Spend long hours practicing
- Work with a teacher in private lessons
- Attend regular rehearsals for one or more performance groups
- Perform solo recitals in front of a jury of professors
- Learn to sing in other languages -- usually French, Italian, and German
It Helps to Be...
A dedicated music lover who is self-disciplined and able to take criticism well. It’s also a good idea to be ready, willing, and able to share the limelight.
College Checklist
- Is the program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music?
- Visiting campus? Is there enough room for everyone to practice and rehearse? Are there good acoustics?
- How many and what kinds of performance opportunities are there?
- Are the performances good? Attend one or ask for a recording or video of a recent production.
- Speak with the voice teachers. Where did they train? Do they still perform? Will you enjoy working very closely with these teachers for four years?
- What kinds of internships and summer programs will be open to you?
Did You Know?
- Opera was invented at the end of the 16th century in Italy. The new art form was created in imitation of ancient Greek drama.
Course Spotlight
You may have the chance to put your voice teacher's suggestions to the test while performing for your peers in a master class. In the most exciting master classes, big-name performers give feedback to students who perform in front of an audience -- a sort of public private lesson. Imagine trying out a Mozart aria in front of a renowned opera star like Frederica von Stade or Cecilia Bartoli.
