<p>Hi all, I will be graduating from a solid mid-level program next year with a BM in Perf. I have a special interest in Baroque and Early Music. I am located in Ohio, but would be willing to go anywhere. The only problem I face, which is also the mightiest, would be money concerns. I convinced my parents to let me go to my undergrad school because of the wonderful teacher, and it put us in a bit of debt (although the decision was worth it). That's because we fell into the middle-class bracket of the financial aid spectrum. </p>
<p>Anyways, I am just wondering which places might meed my wants/needs. I am looking for a program that is desirable, and one in which I could go to for little to nothing at all provided I have a good audition (would be willing to work as well).</p>
<p>Please, let me know if anyone has any information or suggestions. Sorry if this is repetitive.</p>
<p>Well, I will be the first to name the obvious…Yale is the strongest school in the country for early music and grad school is free. If you are doing any early music programs this summer, network with the grad students and get the inside information on who is producing great early music performers.</p>
<p>Hi, welcome to the forum! I guess the question I would have is what do you plan to do once you have finished your education? Have you looked into YAPS when you finish your undergrad. I agree with musicamusica that if you are doing any summer programs you can make some great connections there with other singers and the faculty. And I also agree you need to find out what school/teacher is producing the best early music performers and look into those teachers, maybe email them and try to get a lesson. I have always heard don’t pay for grad school, follow the money. You might pose this question over at The New Forum for Classical Singers. Good Luck!</p>
<p>You might check out the University of North Texas/Denton, specifically Prof. Jennifer Lane. If memory serves, she specializes in early music and is an absolutely delightful person. The tuition at UNT for both in state and out-of-state students, at least for undergraduates, is unusually slow and is probably comparatively low for graduate students as well. And there may be some money available. We visited the school several times and were impressed with the scholarly and extremely friendly quality of the institution. I would give it a try! Good luck.</p>
<p>Anything free is a definite plus. Yes, the early music institute at Yale is certainly on my list, perhaps #1. I am going to try to make contacts there. UNT is a school I have heard so much good about, but have never had the chance to visit. I am thoroughly interested in learning more about them, though.</p>
<p>Do you think Yale’s Sacred Music Institue would be stingy about a college GPA, and to what level? I should graduate from the honors program at my school this year</p>
<p>They accept four each year into the Yale program, last year two males, two females, and this year three males and one female. The degree is an MM in oratorio, chamber, and early music (some such category). We know a young man who is entering the program this year, and he was told that his wider musical interests made him more attractive as a candidate. So do not narrow yourself too soon in your musical development. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks all. Thank you, also, Lorelei for the heads up. I am a very…interesting person. I would suppose most artsy people are in general, though. I also know someone who has graduated from the program, so we’ll see how that goes.</p>
<p>Are there anymore programs that come to mind? I know I should be a bit more independant about a grad school search, but I don’t want to fly all over without a purpose :)</p>
<p>You might approach this from a different angle…pick the finest voice and music schools, and contact the music history/performance practice faculty members who specialize in this era of music. Ask them if there is a voice faculty member who could help you in your studies in the earlier music. Good singing is a universal, and you need a good voice teacher. But you need someone who can help you grow in musical style and performance practice. Good luck.</p>
<p>You should also look at USC, Case Western, Peabody, BU, Indiana, and McGill. All of these have informed specialist faculty in early music. I think all of them offer a master’s degree and a DMA.</p>