<p>First, forgive me if I am asking ridiculous questions or covering something that has already been talked to death on other threads. I honestly did search for my topic with no luck. So here goes...</p>
<p>My first born is about to enter her JR year in high school. Since the age of 3, her only stated goal has been that she is going to be a singer when she grows up. She scored a prominent role her freshman year in the HS musical, got the lead her sophomore year. She is sold on the idea of studying music and voice/performance in college. Here's the problem - she hates opera (though she can sing it beautifully) and doesn't like jazz. She is singularly focused on contemporary music (alternative/rock). On one hand I want to encourage her to follow her dream. But on the other, I think she will be miserable going to school and spending a large part of her time singing opera. </p>
<p>Her overall GPA stands at 3.875 taking mostly AP classes, so grades are not an issue. I wondered if MT theater was a better option that VP since they work on more modern singing styles, but her first love is singing, not acting. Basically, if she is not performing, she wants to be involved in music some other way. Those are her career aspirations. So where do we start? What schools should we look at and how do I get her to open her mind beyond "16-year old kid" to understand that her taste in music, and therefore her goals, may change over the years. Is it too soon to start visiting schools? I really have no idea where to begin or how to help her. This is all quite overwhelming. </p>
<p>Again, I apologize for my first CC post being so ridiculous. I promise to get better. So with that, let the advice-giving and post-bashing begin!</p>
<p>Ha! Not so ridiculous, plenty of parents and students question the availability of contemporary(popular) music programs. The most mentioned are USC, Belmont and Berklee. Do a word search on these within the forum. Cal Arts might be an option as well (more “modern/alt” than popular)—if your D is interested in theory and composition as well as voice, perhaps the BFA program in Performance/Composition might be of interest.</p>
<p>Your D’s bio is like many others on this board and the MT thread. They often get great roles in high school and are the stars in their areas, but those are also the very same kids who will be competing for spots in their incoming class for college!
What kind of training has she had up to now? Is she studying with a good voice teacher? If not, she should be, as, aside from the obvious safety issues, she’ll be at a real disadvantage when it comes time to apply to college if she doesn’t have someone to help with rep and auditions. She should be getting good training in safe singing technique, projection, sight singing, ear training, etc.
MT is heavy on dance and acting, so if your D isn’t so inclined and can’t turn in a great dance audition and a good monologue, skip it.
There are many fields which branch off from just strict performance but which she might want to consider. Arts Management is one ( Baldwin Wallace College comes to mind), Audio Recording (thinking CIM here), and the ones that musica listed in her post too as well as the great schools included there. Another option is a BA in music performance from a LAC or university. I’m familiar with Case Western’s program, so that’s what’s going through my mind as I write this. They can take some of the same classes the VP students at CIM do, but don’t have the opera workshop and performance requirement. Their voice faculty is different, but she would still have to sing classical rep there or any similar program.
It is not too early to begin looking at schools, in fact, you’re smart to start now. But do go through the web sites (the schools we’ve listed here are good starting points) and consider picking up a copy of Peterson’s Guide to Performing Arts Schools (bedtime reading!!). Your D needs to be comfortable in her choice and it’s not unusual for them to be confused, but if she has no passion for classical singing and opera, all of the talking on your part won’t change her mind. Most of the ones who want to go down that path know it by that age, but not all. Talk about the options and do make sure that she is being well trained now.
Don’t be shy, no one on here bites (at least not very often!!).</p>
<p>At your D’s age my DD did not particularly want classical voice either. Then she found a fantastic teacher who taught her good techniques and introduced her to the beautiful classical music she could sing while she also learned MT. She changed her mind mid way through Junior year and never looked back. She still has a fondness for other genres, but she loves classical repertoire and opera now. Make sure she has a good teacher who has sent students into good programs before and hang on for the ride :)</p>
<p>^Ditto. My s is not even a singer per se (at least in terms of a performance major singer; his main inst. was trumpet he is now focused in a music tech/comp program). He originally only liked singing contemporary music. Then he took casual private lessons with an opera singer (over the summer last year, just to expose himself to it) and then went on to do a classical voice studio as an elective. He had trouble with his pronunciation in other languages, but quite loved it While not of serious professional intent in this case, the result has been a burgeoning interest in a different compositional style. So really, you never DO know what the heck they’ll get up to!</p>
<p>Given the shifts that come, aim for a nice selection of well-balanced programs that have a wide range of program/styles available within the school if you can.</p>
<p>Your questions are all excellent, as I had them myself just a few years ago. My daughter is at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and she is not focused on opera or musical theater, but more on contemporary styles, including jazz. You and your D should realize that both classical singing technique and jazz techniques are the base of many good music schools, so while she may not want to be an opera singer or a jazz singer, she should expect to learn both classical and jazz standards as part of her early music school training. The early years also consist of music theory, ear training, harmony and music technology courses as well. The R&B and other contemporary styles come into play more in the early years as they audition for ensembles, and at Berklee there are many ensembles each semester, the most popular being ones that require an audition as well as a certain rating to even be able to audition. (Ratings are part of the placement audition process.) As a junior, I agree with the other posters that recommend she get an excellent, highly recommended vocal teacher this year. During her junior year she can be tuning her technique and also start to prepare audition pieces that will work for a wide array of auditions. Berklee doesn’t require a specific piece, but one that shows off the musician’s strengths, and they also do some other musician ‘tests’ like a call and response exercise, and other things listed on their website. Other music schools require a song from a list of jazz standards and some require a classical piece as well. You’re not starting too early to learn what needs to happen, so congrats on that. PM me or any of us or ask more questions on this forum; it’s our turn to give back.</p>
<p>I am also new to this infact you did much better than I…signed up yesterday…wrote something and now i cant find where it is!!
overwhelming…is an understatement…but by surfing i have found this forum and it is a wealth of info…not sure how to use it all yet…haha
You have described exactly…its a combination of head and heart…proud on the outside but scared (hence name) on the inside
I am just trying to figure out the best route for my son…
will write more…i have to stop and think…i tend to ramble on</p>
<p>See… I am replying to my own post b/c i thought of a question
My son is a neo-phyte in this arena…with just a few yrs experience and just starting voice lessons…he has natural talent as an actor and all around performer…he loves musical theater…thinking of transfering from American Univ to a more specific program
Question: if the goal is broadway(like all) is it the schooling or experience(internships) that make it more possible…especially in my s case where his formal training is lacking compared to his fellow students</p>
<p>scardeedad- Do check out the MT Forum, but I can help a little bit. Your son is already in college?
There was a shift in the mind set in MT and although it used to be about getting out there and on stage, it is now necessary to have the degree from a good MT program (it’s of real benefit to find one which holds “senior showcase” in NYC so that the kids get exposure to agents and casting directors). There are no real “internships” in MT, get out there and perform whenever and wherever, but get that formal degree.
You’re right in assuming that your son is “behind” his classmates: he is, and make no mistake, that will hurt and if he is serious about pursuing a career in the field, he’ll probably have to go back and start again in school. In addition to his monologue and his voice audition, he needs to turn in a great dance audition to stand a chance. He’ll learn combinations taught by a faculty member or advanced student before the audition and then have to perform them in a group of other guys for the panel. Musical Theatre is unlike a classical voice audition: in the latter, at least two complete songs/arias will be heard, whereas for MT, it depends upon the school. Some will let the complete number be heard, while others will ask for the 16 bar ballad and the 32 bar uptempo- the impression needs to be made quickly.
There are a number of good programs with which I am familiar, so feel free to PM me with any questions.</p>
<p>Thanks for la lof the great replies! Right now she is thinking most about USC, Belmont, Elon, Berklee, and CMU. She is working with a voice teacher again but she is very young and we’re not sold on her yet. What’s the best way to find the RIGHT teacher for your kid? Not just for now but when choosing a college. Seems like you are searching for an instructor as much as you’re searching for a college. Maybe moreso. Also, does a summer program help a lot? Wondering if the cost justifies the results/advantages you get out of them ($6K for CMU, $4K at Berklee, etc.) Even ArtsEdge at $2500 is a lot.</p>
<p>Ask around! Talk to other young singers, school music teachers, directors, etc. Check out their qualifications, experience with vocal pedagogy and above all, talk to them about their thoughts on vocal health. While you are right on your D being young, she should have been working with a voice teacher for the past two years to put her on an even footing with those she will be competing against for places in the freshman class in college. If she is singing MT, chances are good that she is belting and that needs to be done safely. A teacher is needed to help prepare for college auditions, set repertoire, deal with pre-screening CDs (if they are needed), write the needed teacher recommendation, etc.
As far as choosing a teacher in college: you can look up bios of faculty at schools to begin with. Before a campus visit, try to arrange to have your D sit in on a lesson that a prospective teacher is giving, or a studio class and talk to some of the students. Get sample lessons with teachers to find out if your D is comfortable working with her/him. She’ll get a feeling for someone and it will all come together.</p>
<p>One source for vocal instructors for contemporary/rock singers in the 8-18 age range is the School of Rock. The instructors at our local school are great, both trained in classical technique but their hearts are in rock. My son feels like he has found his “people” there and has developed into a solid performer in their program. There are schools all over the country so you may have one nearby.</p>
<p>Another way to find a voice teacher is to locate the nearest college/conservatory with either a contemporary or jazz voice program. Call to inquire about a recommendation. Many colleges will have an office that helps students and recent grads find employment (i.e., the way to hire a musician for your event also works for finding private instruction). Or go in and do a sample lesson with a voice instructor; that way you can look at the school and ask about a referral at the same time.</p>
<p>i can totally relate…i’m going into my junior year of H.S. and also want to get into alt/rock music…definitely check out university of southern california thornton school of music…that’s my first choice:) they seem to have the most options and she’ll have a greater opportunity to try for an internship with a record company since it’s located in L.A…they’re competitive but it’ll feel that much more rewarding if she gets accepted</p>
<p>With the caveat that I am a novice myself, I will add 2 things.</p>
<p>1- Yes, summer programs help (good ones) and the cost justifies the means. My D did 2 summer programs and learned quite a bit that she did not know regarding audition logistics and regarding music itself. That was the case even though she has been taking voice lessons at a top notch music conservatory for several years-- because they are voice lessons, and they can’t possibly cover everything there is to know about auditioning.</p>
<p>2- As far as studying classical voice when that is not one’s interest, I think of an analogy to dance. All trained dancers take ballet for technique, even though many of them don’t want to be ballet dancers-- the technique is at the core. Similarly, classical voice training is good for all singers :)</p>
<p>jkb … agree with your analogy (ballet –> base for good dance technique; classical singing –> base for good vocal technique). Voice is a challenge as an instrument because it can fail for many reasons (colds, viruses, allergies, polyps, etc.) so in order to preserve it for a long career, you really need to have a strong base of excellent technique. While pop music is an end goal for the OP, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the next step in college. That’s why some of us are suggesting you go from where you are (base in chorus singing which includes classical technique?) to jazz (to help with other techniques that are the base of many pop songs) and then to pop where you may focus your upper class years in college in both singing, songwriting, and ensemble work.</p>
While not of serious professional intent in this case, the result has been a burgeoning interest in a different compositional style. So really, you never DO know what the heck they’ll get up to!</p>