<p>Anyone familiar with the vocal performance department at LSU? Love to hear from anyone who goes there...</p>
<p>Hi there--
I'm not very familiar with the program, but because my daughter is in N. Texas I took a look at it about a year ago--and she and my nephew are planning a visit during spring break. In the past five years, they have had two Met audtion finalists--one of whom I believe is working there now. The campus is beautiful and they stage two operas a year and opera scenes. It appears there is strong support from the school and LSU is tyring to raise its academic profile so those with strong stats appear to be rewarded. Even qualifying for in-state tuition makes this very affordable and thus a must on the master list! </p>
<p>That's not much help, but I think it is a viable option to put into the mix.</p>
<p>I have heard nothing but excellent reports about LSU. I have read posts on this site as well as The New Forum for Classical Singers. I have also had private messages from current students. The program is very well structured and takes into account the diverse needs of undergraduate vs. graduate students. There appears to be a pervasive atmosphere of collegiality between students and studios, an attitude that is so crucial (and refreshing!) at this stage of the game. My daughter will be auditioning there (undergrad VP) on February 28th. On February 27th she will be attending a voluntary orientation session during which she will meet and chat with the voice faculty, participate in a choir rehearsal, have lunch with students and faculty, and attend a student recital. On February 26th she will have a lesson with a member of the faculty. All in all, I already have the sense of a generous, welcoming and enlightened environment.</p>
<p>My daughter looked into LSU a bit last year but decided it was too big. She heard good things, however, with the usual caveat that it all depends on the teacher. Lisette Oropesa won the Met competition from there in '05. I believe her teacher was Robert Grayson, who is head of the voice department. They are probably best known for their work with tenors - a number of whom have been quite successful. I think the collegial atmosphere mentioned by oldviola is key. It is not that unusual for a voice student to switch teachers and I think it is important to be someplace where that can be done with as little emotional angst as possible. There are many schools out there where a student would rather quit than go through the pain of switching studios. The politics and drama of the studios make it almost impossible.</p>
<p>My husband went to LSU for his doctorate in music composition. Presumably you're asking about undergrad... is that correct?</p>
<p>Yes, I'm interested in undergrad, Ai. Oldviola, I would love to hear about your daughter's experience, if she or you'd be good enough to post it, post facto. We're so far away (CT) that I don't see us getting there to look, ourselves. A tenor is what I've got, so its rep. for being good for tenors is great for us. And even the out of state tuition isn't so awful. Thanks, guys! I was glad to hear that the politics of the teacher business aren't so operatic. Save that for the real thing, no?</p>
<p>LSU is now prescreening graduate voice applicants.</p>
<p>Thanks for that, and for your messages. Lorelei. You're so well-informed! We'll most certainly check this out.</p>
<p>datripp--
In-state tuition is available to students whose SATs reach 1300 (math and critical reading): I'm not sure if there is an ACT corollary but I think there may be. In-state tuition makes this much more affordable and I do not believe that there are caveats if you are a performance major. </p>
<p>I'm anxious to see the facilities and have my daughter sit in on a studio class to assess the level of talent--as well as taking a lesson. And while the trip we are planning cannot coincide with an opera, I do think we'll be able to see the theatre department's "Spring Awakening." </p>
<p>Lorelei--when you say "now" presreening graduate students, do you mean that this is something that is new to the program or that they are simply in the midst of the process? </p>
<p>Thanks all!</p>
<p>They have begun doing this in recent years...do not know when they started. But yes, they are hearing them now. They are heard by the whole voice faculty at a weekly meeting, not by graduate students or a staff person.</p>
<p>Ariamom, I would love to hear your family's assessment of their class visit. PLease update, if you remember. That's interesting about the SAT scores, too, and thank you.</p>
<p>I’d love to hear more recent reviews of the LSU vocal/choral dept…</p>
<p>We are visiting LSU next month and need some feedback on the school of Music for a Vocal Performance major. Please send updates!</p>