<p>Now that college has been locked down, the next big step is graduate school. Son would like to double major in college, but few of the classes would overlap. So, the question is:</p>
<p>What is desirable academically for Graduate School?</p>
<p>It is my impression that 90% of the admissions decision will be the audition itself - how well does the student sing. So, in theory, my son could major in something other than music, and still get into grad school for voice. At a minimum I think he should take:</p>
<p>1) Voice lessons all years
2) 2 year music theory/aural/sight singing/etc sequence required of all music majors
3) 1 year of Italian, French, German
4) Diction</p>
<p>Note: He is already proficient in Piano.</p>
<p>Any other classes that a Voice applicant for Grad School should have?</p>
<p>He will also need the basic music history courses for undergraduate major. Additionally he will need some kind of advanced music theory…whatever the curriculum there requires beyond the first two years. It might be form and analysis, counterpoint, etc. A conducting course is always helpful, as is orchestration. If there are song literature courses offered, that would be good. Additional periiod and/or genre courses, like Baroque Music, Opera History, etc. would be useful, too. What is his other major?</p>
<p>He is thinking about majoring in Actuarial Science. No overlap at all. If he takes the full BA cirriculum in Voice, then it will add another semester or two. If he takes the full BM cirriculum, then it would add at least another year. I was hoping missing the History and Culture classes would not be a big issue.</p>
<p>I know the other classes are helpful. I was wondering if they were really necessary.</p>
<p>Regarding advanced music theory: The BA cirriculum is 3 semesters, and the BM cirriculum adds 1 more semester. Are there other advanced music theory courses he should take as an elective?</p>
<p>There are probably music theory courses beyond the four semester core of theory. As I said, some schools go on to specific form and analysis courses, but they may be part of the four semester theory sequence. Look at the BM curriculum for the junior year…see what is required. The problem he will have is that MM students have to take placement/proficiency exams, and if he does not have the background, it will add time to the graduate study, time he will not be wanting to spend in academic classes. This is less likely to happen at conservatory graduate programs, but there will still be deficiencies to make up if he has insufficient background. He cannot skip the music history study. Again, every school does it differently, but there is at least a two semester heavy duty music history survey sequence…usually a brutally difficult course (partly because of the unbalanced knowledge musicians have about music literature, depending on their instrument or voice). I have seen non-music majors pass through the grad placement exams, but they have a lot of background in piano and theory. He could self-study the music history…find a comprehensive music history text book (see what they use at his school), read and study it, know and understand the glossary and index references, and acquaint himself with the musical examples cited.)</p>
<p>From your post, Opera-Dad: “I was hoping missing the History and Culture classes would not be a big issue. I know the other classes are helpful. I was wondering if they were really necessary.” “Necessary” may be irrelevant, but if he is truly interested in being a well trained musician he will want to take these courses. Having a good voice and singing well is one thing, but bringing something to the stage in terms of character and understanding is a different, more mature layer to the process, and necessary for professional advancement. He needs to understand these things and make these decisions, or not, in which case, Actuarial Science may be the better professional life for him.</p>
<p>I would suggest that the STUDENT discuss preparing for grad school with the faculty at his undergrad school.</p>
<p>operaDad
I have read on the other board (you know to which I refer) that the music history classes are some of the Most important of the classes that the voice major takes as it helps you understand the background in which the pieces were written…therefore will help with the acting/believability in his performance…I believe you mentioned on another thread that this is an area that your son needed some work…Don’t let him miss this important aspect of his education.</p>
<p>Also agree with Lorelei that a conducting class is important…I remember DD voice teacher telling me the importance of the 2 classes in conducting she had while in school…Said if you can’t follow a conductor then it can be very challenging to sing on stage because the sound coming back at you is often delayed…you would always be behind without following that little stick…DD had that experience 1st time she sang national anthem before game at school…no one had warned her about the sound delay…</p>
<p>I agree with thumper1 and the other posters on this thread. Dare I mention another idea – why not go directly to the admissions personnel from the master programs the student might be interested in. Find out what their recommendations are?</p>
<p>Am I wrong…I thought Opera Dad’s kiddo was entering their FRESHMAN year of college. If I’m wrong, please correct me. If I’m right, I would suggest that Opera Dad believe that the undergrad institution which his kid is attending is going to do everything they can to prepare that student for life after undergrad school. The student should be in the driver’s seat on this one…along with his music advisor at college. </p>
<p>Most freshmen don’t have any idea where they might apply to grad school…nor should they. Heck…my kid didn’t have his grad school application list finalized until the beginning of his senior year in college.</p>
<p>Thumper’s right…time for these kiddos to start making their own way…they will figure it out… Seems like your S (operaDad) decided on his school because of his keen interest in continuing down the singing path…(I know all us music parent’s are scared that our kids won’t eat when they get out…but they will)…My sister was a music Ed (voice/piano) major…wasn’t until her senior year of college when she started doing student teaching that she realized she HATED what she had studied to go into…Never did teach music but she has never regretted the degree…says that it really prepared her for life in so many ways…She has done fine…(russian linquist for airforce) knows about 3 or 4 languages (able to pick them up because of voice training in college)…able to work with collegues because of working together in choirs…you get the idea…</p>
<p>Time for us to let them go and see how they fly… a little guidance now and then but we’ve done most of what we can do… time for others to take over.</p>