I am planning on returning to school for my Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance, since I had such an inspiring voice teacher immediately after High School! While auditions don’t bother me to get into a Bach. Program (it’s the way things are), I dislike the fact that passing an audition is less about knowledge and technique than it is about raw talent and who has the most impressive voice a la a talent competition rather than academia! But, I digress… Whilst looking at my transfer options I’ve noticed that some Master’s admissions programs ask for a resume, whilst others ask for a Curriculum Vitae (VC).
I understand there’s a difference between a resume and a CV (though do some Universities conflate the meaning of the two?). But, as a student merely working towards a degree in order to gain a profession, what professional work history in the field of my degree could I cite on a resume when I am simply a student trying to earn my Master’s Degree? On the other hand, for those Universities that require a CV instead, what volunteer work or internship opportunities could I pursue while attaining either my Associates and/ or Bachelor’s Degree because I want to pursue a Master’s Degree in vocal performance (with an emphasis on coaching/ teaching). I am looking for some opportunities to look for while I study and pursue my degree that I can cite for my CV or resume.
Also, a research paper is required to coincide with my regular performances! I am unaccustomed to research papers in a field such as vocal performance. Can anyone give me an idea of the nature of such papers? Academic writing does not bother me since I am used to writing in that fashion anyway.
One worry I have about is about not getting a single leading role/ performance opportunity! After all, back in High School there was one student to whom auditioning was only a mere formality. They were going to get the role anyway–they just had to audition. I swear I believe our choir director choose musicals with a lead role to highlight this student! After they graduated and got into their preferred school for musical theatre, every job they acquired afterward was literally handed to her because (as with High School) every audition they ever received was a mere formality. They never actually had to work for anything and they were afforded opportunities that no other student was (or knew about) such as private voice lessons at a prestigious University music program. Had I known, I’d have begged my parents to enroll me starting in my Freshmen year!
Take Care,
Wade
Can you clarify your current situation? Are you a freshman looking to transfer, or an undergrad considering a master’s well ahead of time or are you about to graduate?
I’m not honestly sure why that should matter since I am trying to plan ahead either way one slices it. 
It matters to those who ask.
@MacMorrighan —
It sounds like you are setting a goal for yourself and then will work on getting the intermediary steps in place. I can sympathize with that but whether one should be writing a resume or CV does not seem to be the first priority.
When one is studying one’s instrument and gaining success, I believe that will help one pass auditions at schools where one sees a good future with a teacher or program. You mentioned you had a wonderful teacher after high school. Perhaps this teacher can point you in the direction of a program where you feel you can grow your skills, and achieving acceptance there may be a good goal to work towards at this time.
Perhaps you are intending to apply to programs this fall. Maybe you could find several with your teacher’s help and prepare repertoire this summer for fall auditions. Best of luck!
Unfortunately, I have lost contact with my former Voice Teacher since I am returning to school as a non-traditional student.
@MacMorrighan — then finding a good teacher might be a good first step. Then you’ll have an ally as you prepare your repertoire.
Are you near a university or even a high school? You could contact teachers at these institutions and ask for referrals to good local teachers, or in the case of a university instructor, even ask for a sample lesson (this may cost the price of a lesson). This could give you a place to start as you prepare to reach your goals.
@“Pikachu’s Mom” I am near my old High School, but my former choir director doesn’t work there anymore (nor would she support me*), and her job has been taken over by a former classmate of mine who simply got her degree in choir conduction. However, she has changed drastically I knew her, and I don’t understand it. Former students of her’s that I have encountered say she is unpleasant to be around and that she screams and yells and verbally abuses all the students! Even when I have seen her in public there’s always a nasty expression on her face as if she’s just perpetually miserable!
*While I have great fondness for my former choir director, unless you showed raw talent as she and a select few students did without needing a voice teacher, then she tried her best to turn students away from studying music! When I was in High School, it was impossible to get a leading role in any of the musicals because of one student, to whom auditioning was merely a formality! When I would request music with which to audition I was never given anything with a melody, just a rhythm as in the first song on the train from the Music Man, which told me she already knew whom she wanted to cast, anyway. Even after graduation, all of the roles achieved by my classmate to whom auditioning was a mere formality were also mere formalities! They was going to get the role–they just had to audition! In fact, our choir director seemed to choose musicals just to highlight this student. It was ridiculous! IMO, once one student gets a leading role, that’s it…they never get another to open up the odds for other students to have a better chance.
Even the former Guidance Counselor got in on this (unless one came from money) by telling me I was either un-talented or that I didn’t have the math grades needed to study math! I have come to believe that the latter excuse (about math) is a common one used to deter music students because friends have told me they were told the same thing time and time again! He had never heard me sing before, and after 2 years working with my former voice teacher I was singing with Streisand-like vibrato…and that was according to my Voice teacher since I am far to humble to draw a comparison between me and the Great Barbra.
I think that you had similar posts last year. The stories/tone/writing style are very familiar. Regardless, here’s hoping you can let the past go soon and find a way to move forward.