<p>We visited the Blue Ridge Mountain area of North Carolina this summer, and were quite taken with the "vibe." DD has now stated that she would consider looking at colleges in the area.</p>
<p>I have seen Appalachian State's music ed department be recommended here, so it may be that we apply here as a music ed major as sort of a safety. I like the variety of ensemble performance opportunities the school has. But what about the vocal department, in and of itself ... does it have a good reputation for producing good vocalists, and in which genres?</p>
<p>The voice faculty is excellent at Appalachian State University, and they all get along quite well. It is a very strong music program, good performance experiences, and very nurturing faculty. For a music ed program, it is as good as anywhere else. It is a wonderful school, lots of spirit, a faculty devoted to teaching, and lovely part of the country. The only drawback is the lack of public transportation into Boone, but there is a good bus system within the town. Let me know if you have questions about any of the specific teachers.</p>
<p>My D and I visited Appalachian State last spring and we were impressed. She sat in on two voice lessons, a diction class, a theory class and a chorale rehearsal. Facilities are nice, but could look a lot better with just some minor sprucing up. I sat around a lot waiting for her and kept thinking of how nice things could look with just a little decorating. Yes, I had way too much time on my hands. We loved Boone - I could see myself living there. We had perhaps the best meal ever at a little vegan place and I spent quite a bit of time in a funky little coffee shop in an alley that was great. The people were nicer than any other place we visited. Everyone spoke and smiled and asked if they could help me when they saw any look of confusion. The only drawback is how hard it is to get there. We went from there to Elon and felt like we were on a different planet.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. One thing I am interested in -- and may not get the answer until I visit -- is how opera/classical-centric the voice department tends to be in terms of which ensemble opportunities they expect VPs to participate in. </p>
<p>I understand that a classical basis is the best for overall voice technique and long-term voice health; but D's "singing heart" leans more toward jazz and musical theatre type singing right now. ASU appears to offer a good breadth of ensemble singing opportunities; I just wonder if, like at some other schools, certain musical activities are sniffed at by the SERIOUS musicians. (See my thread on IU ;))</p>
<p>There is a small jazz vocal group there, as well as gospel choir. I think the theater department is in transition, chair recently stepped down, do not know how that will affect liason between the two units. There are various community musical theater opportunitites as well. Voice faculty teaches good singing, wherever it leads. It is not a huge opera department, so opera will not get the total emphasis.</p>
<p>FWIW, I noticed that there is a fairly new public bus service between the Appalachian State University campus and Winston Salem NC and Greensboro NC. There also appear to be shuttle buses that connect the route to the GSO airport. <a href="http://partnc.org/US421express.htm%5B/url%5D">http://partnc.org/US421express.htm</a></p>
<p>November's "Opera News" presents a young baritone in its "Sound Bites" section named Lucas Meacham, who attended Appalachian as an undergraduate. I heard him while he was there, a lovely talent, nurtured appropriately and well trained....a good environment for a young singer.</p>
<p>Does any one have any knowledge (direct or indirect) about the level of play of auditioning instrumental performance majors at App State? From what I have read and seen, the program looks fairly tight and well run, but there doesn't seem to be alot of anecdotal comment anywhere.</p>
<p>The name keeps popping up, and I've mentioned it numerous times to interested parties.</p>
<p>I'm assuming it's on a par with most state schools, offering a good music ed experience and general music background, but I'm curious as to whether it may be a cut above (not necessarily Michican, Indiana level).</p>
<p>It would be beneficial to know what other schools the "average" App State performance major is also auditioning at. My curiosity has been piqued.</p>
<p>Can't help in the least, but I feel the same way you do. I was at Borders yesterday and had some time to kill, and tried to look for ASU in all the "college guide" books they had (lord, what a mega-industry it's turning into). It really seems to be under TPTB's radar -- whether intentionally or not, it was hard to tell. Not that there's anything wrong with that ... </p>
<p>I have a friend who runs an inn in NC, and he had great things to say about the school as a whole.</p>