<p>I will be a freshman at Baldwin Wallace College this Fall of 2014, in a few days. At first I wanted my major to be English education, but recently I've been thinking that I want to pursue a major in vocal performance. Unfortunately, I never submitted a Conservatory supplement with my Common application when I applied. This, my major is currently undeclared. I'm a coloratura soprano though, and I have been taking vocal lessons for almost four years and I love it. I find myself working on an opera aria or singing to myself all the time. I'm not really a music theory expert, instrumentalist, or academic musician, but I'm willing to put up with the requirements in order to do what I love. Anyway, vocal performance majors require a lot of credits, and I'm concerned about the eight mandatory opera workshops. If I start out as a vocal performance major at Baldwin Wallace my sophomore year, will I still be eligible for a vocal performance major? Unless I was allowed to take opera workshop classes during the summer, I would only complete 6 out of 8 of the required opera workshops. What should I do? I would take two opera workshops this year, but I'm not allowed to since they are restricted to conservatory students and music majors (BA) only.</p>
If I declare my major as vocal performance at Baldwin Wallace my sophomore year will it be too late?
<p>I suggest that you get in touch with the Admissions Department and the VP Dept chairperson at the conservatory right away- don’t wait for classes to begin- and go over your information with them. The conservatory does take transfer students so there are provisions in place, but you won’t probably won’t graduate in 4 years. Also ask them if you could possibly switch from your English major to the BA Music track, at least until you can audition for the BM VP degree… The BA still requires an audition- albeit a lesser one than for the BM- but that might be the easier path in right now and still allow you to fit in the required op shops That class won’t be offered anywhere during the summer so finding a way to get that included in your schedule this fall is critical.
If this is what you really want, don’t delay, but also know that very often there is room for another talented and committed student, even in an “audition based” program. Should you have any questions, feel free to PM me, and good luck!</p>
<p>The only issue is that Baldwin Wallace doesn’t offer conservatory auditions until the Spring. An audition at the conservatory is required for all music majors even those with a BA.</p>
<p>You srilll need to get in touch with them ASAP and discuss your options. You should at least discuss what courses you can take now so you don’t fall even further behind. No one on ths forum can help you with those specifics. They are the only ones with the answers.</p>
<p>Thank you, and I am contacting them, but the process is not easy. Since, I didn’t audition for the conservatory the first time I applied I have to wait until the spring. Besides, they won’t even let me have a BA in music without an audition. Additionally, the opera workshops are only open to Vocal performance (BM) majors. The first opera workshop is restricted to freshman, so even if I do plan on getting a vocal performance major my sophomore year and audition at the conservatory, I may not be eligible for a vocal performance major at all due to the Freshman only restriction in the opera workshop 1.
I just feel like crying right now! First I thought that I wanted to be an English teacher, and then I was content being undecided thinking that I could graduate with a vocal performance music major still, and now I’m learning that it might not be possible. It’s like they want you to know who you are your freshman year, and it’s just not fair. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do! I’m sure of what I want now, but I only wish that I had realized when I applied!</p>
<p>I know the folks at BW and they are very approachable, and it’s not difficult at all. Pick up the phone and discuss your change of heart and ask for their assistance. And while there are certainly rules, there are often ways to work around the official rules because different situations can and do arise. I understand that you’re upset and things can seem daunting, but we’re trying to help you as best we can- you’re seeing what’s written on the web site and the limitations therein, but again, there are exceptions to rules. The conservatory accepts transfer students so they are used to adjusting schedules. You may not be able to graduate in 4 years, but only you can decide if taking that extra year, if needed, to get you the degree you want, is worth it.</p>
<p>I’m sorry that you didn’t figure all of this out last year, but the vast majority of performance majors know what they want early on and prepare for the auditions. You need to talk to the conservatory admissions people right now and see how they can help you to switch paths, but also be aware that your voice type is very common and we (and the admissions staff) don’t know your abilities. Think about what would happen if you had to take general courses this year and auditioned this winter and they didn’t admit you to the program. Will you consider making a list of schools, doing the transfer applications and the auditioning at those? It used to be possible to do another degree as an undergrad and get your MM as a grad student, but that is very, very difficult now, especially at the top schools and even more so for sopranos (just because there are so many of them). BW is one of the very few schools that doesn’t pre-screen for VP applicants, so again, I think that your best bet is to call the office right away and ask them if there is any way that they would be willing to hear you now and allow you to switch majors.Classes begin there on the 25th, so you’ll be on campus later this week anyway- offer to sing for them at any time that is convenient for them. I’m really hoping that they’ll help you to make this a reality. If you need further help, PM me.</p>