<p>D is a Smith admit who wants to pursue an undergraduate liberal arts education before graduate school in opera. She plans to take Music Theory, participate in choral groups and audition for any 5-college opera productions that occur while she is a student. </p>
<p>What is the best way for an undergraduate non-music major to take voice lessons as a Smith student? Any information and advice would be gratefully appreciated! I am also curious about travel time and transportation issues if she has to take lessons elsewhere in the 5-college consortium. </p>
<p>You can take voice on campus, for credit, but you must audition. If your daughter is thinking about graduate school in opera however, then I assume she already has voice training, so that shouldn't be a problem at all. If she later wants to engage a private instructor outside of classes, the practice rooms in the music building are open to all, regardless of major, and she need only reserve one by writing her name on the clipboard outside. </p>
<p>There are also some singing theory and musical theory courses, including sight singing, though again, if she's already a music student she may be beyond that. </p>
<p>There used to be a five-college opera project when I was a first year, but I think it's currently not producing. </p>
<p>She shouldn't have to take lessons in the broader consortium, unless she hates all the voice instructors at Smith, though she probably can if she wants to. Travel time is something to factor in that requires a little extra juggling, but I have many friends who bus to other colleges for rehearsals and performances for theatre productions and it seems to work out fine with them. </p>
<p>Chorus is a big time committment however, as is Glee club (sort of honors chorus), involving rehearsals, travel, performances, etc. But again, I'm sure your daughter is used to that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Thank you, SmithieandProud. Your comments are very encouraging. D has had voice training, and the lessons with her teacher are a big part of her life. She hope to have a wonderful experience with her college voice teacher as well. She is ready for the music theory for majors courses--indeed, she may be able to test out of the first semester. She hopes that the five-college opera project is resurrected while she is there.</p>
<p>There are two superb operatically trained professors on the Smith faculty - not adjuncts - but very fine singers with excellent reputations - Jane Bryden and Karen Smith-Emerson.</p>
<p>Mine did, and ended up working some with both (though she's a musicologist and composer). She met Jane Bryden on her very first visit to Smith, and it played a significant role in her wanting to go there.</p>