<p>Rising senior DD is a violist but (after some local successes) wants to take a crack at voice performance. She wants to go East Coast, so we're looking at second-tier BM (or strong BA Music) voice programs. We're looking at second-tier or non-audition programs because, while she has a strong orchestral background, she has little choir time and will be behind her peer group in that regard. Has been active in solo singing (musicals, reviews, workshops) but is just starting voice lessons. Looks to be an alto.</p>
<p>The school should have a decent orchestra too.</p>
<p>Sounds like D is very unsettled re what she wants out of a school. From your previous post this is evident.Sounds like she needs a school to sort out her interests.
It’s unlikely she would pass a vocal audition at a leading conservatory(based on her experience, not necessarily talent. I’m not sure what you think second tier means.
there are many LACs and Universities that have both orchestras and vocal music departments. I think the best way for you to figure this out is to narrow down the schools you think match her academically, geographically, size wise ,cost wise and then cross check to see which ones have a signfiicant voice dept and orchestral program.Depending upon the region of the country, the particular school, some offer BMs, with or without auditions.
Right now I thing figuring out the process may be more important than the specific school choice. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Personally I know of no BM performance track that is NOT audition based. Do they really exist, or did I misinterpret obsessivecollege’s statement? There are BA non-audition based programs that may allow you to audition into a BM curriculum at a latter date if the institution offers both variants.</p>
<p>MSUDad, are there criteria for academics, locale (city vs suburban), or costs? I’m assuming the orchestral/instrumental pursuit is secondary. Even from a solely participatory standpoint, there may be schedule conflicts with the different performance organizations.</p>
<p>Being paramount with honesty here, based on what you’ve told us, MSUDad, I think it unlikely that your daughter would make it into a “second-tier” school as a VP major. The simple truth is that she is so far behind the curve for voice majors- the schools are inundated with girls, and all of them have been singing,performing, competing and training for years by the time they apply to college. You say that she is an “alto”, but in this area, she would be considered a mezzo and although that voice type can take longer to “grow into” than lighter, lyric soprano voices, the fact that she hasn’t had the training before now is a hinderance. Violadad has given you some good links which provide a starting place. I don’t think any of us are going to be able to give you names of specific schools because the competition really is fierce everywhere. While all the kids are young (and I often think that we are asking too much of 17-18 year olds when we expect them to be ready to “choose a career” at that age), the fact is that is the way it is, and changing direction on one’s senior year of high school has ramifications. With voice, the instrument is one’s “body” and there are built in limitations as to how far one can push that without causing serious damage. I think she is too close to audition season- which can begin as soon as early December, and to get her to the stage where she is prepared properly just isn’t possible. Not only hasn’t she studied singing, but her rep list must be virtually empty- even the “lesser” school look at things like that.
If your D really is set upon VP( especially if she is on the young side now) she might consider taking a gap year after high school to study voice seriously and which might help make her a legitimate contender the following year.</p>
<p>Voice faculty hearing auditions is always looking for sheer talent…sometimes a voice which has been less “developed” is in much better shape that those which have been “trained”. There is no way for any of us to judge how your daughter would be received at auditions, whether or not she has studied voice for any length of time. Voice is a different beast than being an instrumentalist…no upgrading possible, and voice teachers recognize a fine vocal instrument at any state of development, whether or not she has sung in a choir or has any kind of repertory list (beyond the audition requirements). If she is a good musician, that goes a long way to raising the trust issue about how she will function as a voice student. Good luck to her.</p>
<p>IMHO, a gap year would be a big mistake, probably totally unnecessary.</p>
<p>D’s room mate , began her undergrad as a string player and switched to voice as a sophomore. Besides choral work, she had virtually no vocal training. Talk about sheer talent----she won an important competition after her first year. Her musicality that she developed as a talented cellist was a big factor. She begins grad school this fall at a top conservatory. Lorelei is right. (yet again)
Your daughter might enjoy reading Juliana Gondek’s (UCLA) bio (who began her career as a violinist and musical theater performer.)</p>
<p>Ever the champion for SUNY Fredonia that I am I would suggest taking a crack at applying there. All of the music ensembles (vocal and instrumental) are open to students of any major so in the event she should not be accepted as a VP major she could still apply as a GS or LA major and reapply for the voice program later on. I am sure there are other schools out there like this and there is bound to be someone on this forum that can tell you about those as well.</p>
<p>Other than that I can only quote what the great Casey Kasem always says “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars”. If she wants to take a crack at trying for VP go ahead and let her. If it doesn’t work out I am sure she would not be the first college student to ever change their major.</p>
<p>I’m not really looking for advice about DD’s choice, I’m just looking for names of schools other than Julliard that are on the East Coast. </p>
<p>We’ve visited about 20 schools already. Some have been ruled out because music is clearly not a priority (e.g, Lafeyette, Lehigh). Others because she is likely behind the curve at this point (e.g., Julliard, NYU). UMass? UConn? Anyplace else?</p>
<p>FWIW, as a former VP major at Michigan, I found that the string (think Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, former violist) and piano kids were much, much better prepared for music school than the VP kids. I have no concerns in that regard; I just need to expand the list.</p>
<p>I know nothing about the orchestral programs at these schools, but she may want to look at - </p>
<p>Bucknell
Gettysburg
Westchester - especially since theory and sight reading skills are likely good - they count towards admission there
Susquehanna</p>
<p>There are a number of people from our area who go to Christopher Newport for music. Although audition based, it was not as difficult an admit. You might check them out, too.</p>
<p>James Madison University in VA has a strong music school. Students and faculty members often have the opportunity to perform in a concert series at the Kennedy Center, etc… It is an auditioned program, and I am not sure how easy it is to participate in the string program if you are a VP student.</p>
<p>Shenandoah also has a very strong viola teacher, but more of a Music Theater voice focus. I would suggest that your daughter consider the viola and orchestra aspect of the schools she considers in case she changes her mind about voice.</p>
<p>Take a look at Muhlenberg. It is a highly regarded LAC, has very good music and theatre programs, including vocal performance in the music department. It is non-audition for admissions but entree to advanced vocal training is by instructor permission or audition depending on the course.</p>
<p>Definitely look at Catholic University in D.C. Sharon Christman is a phenomenal teacher. And by the way, I completely agree with Lorelai’s post. Don’t let your daughter get discouraged! Undergraduate voice auditions are more about raw talent and musicality than training and experience. Have you looked at George Mason?</p>
<p>No answers, sorry…just “lurking” on your post because I have a D in the same boat. HS senior this year and looking in different directions. Everything from left brained pursuits such as physics, to more right brained academia such as philosophy, to music-music-music. She’s been primarily french horn (1st place band in our state) to piano, and a few other instruments in a minor way…then she found her voice but not until 10th grade. She’s ALSO looking at a VP major and scared to death even allowing herself to want to try. She also wants east coast. And is looking at NYU quite heavily (Steinhardt). Now if it just wasn’t for the audition and the money! Anyway, just want to offer support to your obviously strong daughter for going in the direction she wants…as it seems you got a lot of “suggestions” on here that you weren’t asking for. Best of luck, hope y’all find a great fit.</p>
Don’t let your daughter get discouraged! Undergraduate voice auditions are more about raw talent and musicality than training and experience. Have you looked at George Mason?</p>