<p>I know they're famous for their acting/theater dept., but what of Purchase's vocal performance/opera department? Has anyone auditioned for, heard about, or actually attended there? I'd love to know!</p>
<p>We visited them at an open house (see my report in the Music School Visits thread) and my D came away very impressed. She has applied and sent her prescreen.</p>
<p>The part that impressed me was a slightly different vibe from the place. Other schools we've seen seem intent on teaching the students to create art. Purchase uses many more part-time instructors who are working professionals from NYC. The emphasis seems to be more along the line of teaching a craft with which the students can earn a living after graduation. While that may rattle purists, I found it refreshing.</p>
<p>good luck to your daughter don</p>
<p>My DD has also sent in pre-screening....We've heard that they normally get around 300 applicants for the dozen or so spots.....Not quite as bad as Juilliard who receives 600 applicants for their 12 spots</p>
<p>Just received word today that her application is complete so now we wait.</p>
<p>Datripp,</p>
<p>I am in contact with a friend who graduated from there ('07) for his undergrad in vocal performance and could put you in touch with him if you have any questions on the program. PM if you're interested.</p>
<p>Sorry to be the negative one here but to keep it real, my D auditioned last year and it was horrible. The director of the program kept fidgiting with the camera and shuffling papers while my daughter sang. I know a great adjunct professor who was laid off and the word on the street is that the program is not funded and slowly erroding. They only took 6 slots last year. In addition, the ambiance is very cold if you ask me. You could do a lot better, cost notwithstanding, if you live in NY. If you are after tuition and you live in NY try Crane in Potsdam.</p>
<p>My D passed the pre-screen and auditioned last year too (was "rejected"). She really did not want a conservatory program and if she had been one of the few selected, I'm not sure that would have changed her mind. I don't know if she had the same experience as Ray's D during her actual audition. She was impressed by the head of the dept., his background, and some of the things he had to say during the group presentation. I second the rather cold feeling Ray felt, particularly from the current students that were there! The facilities are OK, not great (am just talking about the conservatory building itself), although they have a nice collection of new Steinways. They apparently have had great success/recognition with their operas the last few years. The rest of the campus is pretty bland, and I hear it pretty much empties out on weekends. </p>
<p>I had noticed the abundance of part time faculty on the web site, so I asked how many full time voice profs there were- only 2, which seems on the light side for a conservatory. I would be particularly aware/wary of this considering the massive budget cuts that are being proposed SUNY- wide. Agree that for NY'ers, Crand and Fredonia bear looking at. One can get a performance degree as well as music ed. at both. </p>
<p>Also, on the aggravating side, D did not receive her thumbs up/down letter until April 16, which seemed just a bit late for a May 1 decision timeline. I called to check a couple times, and there were not any real coherent reasons or even acknowledgements that this was an inconvenience. She also tried to arrange a trial lesson (well before auditions) and was pretty much brushed off. </p>
<p>As to Don's comment: "The emphasis seems to be more along the line of teaching a craft with which the students can earn a living after graduation", prospective applicants to voice performance degree programs (and their parents) should realize that the expected career path is directly to grad. school post bachelor's degree. This was discussed just about everywhere we went.</p>
<p>Hey datripp, you should also take a look at Suny New Paltz...</p>
<p>I have to add to the negatives here too. I had several unpleasant "encounters" with staff at Purchase and it really seemed as though no one cared if a student was interested in their school or not. I was shuffled from person to person, not transferred, mind you, but only grudgingly given another phone number and told to "Call back sometime". Arrange a "trial lesson"? Nope, they "don't do that". Wanted to speak to someone, anyone, in the Voice Department and was finally given the Director's office number. He called back over TWO months later, when I wasn't home and was annoyed that he reached my voice mail instead of me, and SAID SO! We played phone tag for a bit and he did call back when my D was able to speak to him, but all that was gleaned from that conversation was that:
* a student can't choose their own voice teacher
* a student can not change voice teachers by their own request; that can only be done by the teacher or if the student's jury shows there is some kind of problem
* all teachers are required to teach in the same style and there are specific pieces that MUST be taught to each student
* a freshman voice major is NOT assigned an accompanist; your teacher is supposed to be able to play enough to get you through your lessons,and you don't have an accompanist until your jury
I have heard very negative things about the physical "feel" of the campus, but take that with a grain of salt since many NY schools have "concrete campuses"- the proximity to NYC is great though! Their web site looks quite nice, of course. As with any school that interests you, it's worth a trip to see for yourself.</p>
<p>I completely agree with Mezzo'sMom. I visited Purchase last April when I was checking out different schools and instantly felt this "cold feeling" some of us are experiencing. I didn't arrange to sit in on a class, and the arts tour wasn't really even a tour, but a glance inside the building, so I decided to find out for myself. I remember walking into the music building and peeking around the front lobby to try and find some friendly students that my mother and I could talk with about the program. There were a couple voice students practicing in the hallway for some upcoming opera scenes. I tried to go up to them and ask them a little about this elusive program and what they liked about it. Nothing. They gave me little response and shoved me off like I was bothering them. Eventually, I found a grad student who was nice enough to direct me to the Department Head's office. I knocked on his door, and proceeded to have a very awkward conversation about the "prestige" that the SUNY program has to offer me. I was not thrilled. He was short with me, cold, and acted like he couldn't be bothered to talk to a young student who traveled 9 hours to go to the place. </p>
<p>In short, the place is awful, and the people were unkind. Needless to say, I didn't even apply. What a waste of time.</p>
<p>"* a student can not change voice teachers by their own request; that can only be done by the teacher or if the student's jury shows there is some kind of problem"</p>
<p>This is false, you may sit down with Jacque and discuss your feeling on the matter. Men switch voice teachers and it has not been a problem, and it has been their own choice.</p>
<p>If anyone has any questions PM me. I was a student in the program from 2006-2008.
I have alot to say on the experience....</p>
<p>Perhaps it the program at Purchase would be better served if the director of it didn't say precisely what I quoted "A student can not change voice teachers by their own request; that can only be done by the teacher or if the student's jury shows there is some sort of problem"... Seriously xox, there were two of us having this conversation with him and the notes were transcribed verbatim. Also another voice student who graduated 2 years ago from my D's high school was told the same thing, this time when she and her parents made a visit to the campus- she's now happily ensconced at NYU. You mentioned "men". and maybe some guys that you know of have been permitted to switch, but that might be to keep them in the program since they are usually in the minority. Just a thought, but it would be great if you would take the time to place a post here in this thread about what you experienced in your 2 years there- did you switch schools or were you doing grad work?</p>
<p>I thought Purchase might have been a good option because of the price, until we went there at the audition and heard the dictatorship feel of the program. You could not do any other scholarship programs or be with any other teacher but Purchases. This is more of a program for the very young singer who needs to learn technique and gain discipline from the ground up. Be prepared to hear from Purchase at the last possible moment, after all your other acceptances are in and if you want to keep Purchase as an option, do not be honest and tell him where his program stands in your list of acceptances.</p>
<p>I know a few women who switched teachers. At their request. In my class at purchase it was evenly split, men and women.
Would you like me to PM you my experience?
I did my 1st 2 years of undergrad then I left. I'd rather not post it all publicly, but I'd be happy to PM you.</p>
<p>My daughter is just finishing her first year at Purchase in Vocal performance. The staff have been very strict and keep the students very busy. But she loves the program. We are from the south and my little girl had never been above the Mason Dixon line. Jack and his wife have helped her make the transition and provided excellent instruction. He is available and even gave me his cell phone if I ever had any concerns (none yet). They just finished a Puccini a performance and I wasn’t able to attend, but my wife (who went) saw a big quality difference in schools. My daughter has matured and her voice is better than I ever imagined. We made the right choice in schools.
The only downside is the dorm rooms and food. However this is something I guess you have to accept
She has he juries this week so I am awaiting the news on this</p>