OCU Vocal Performance

Hello,
I recently auditioned and was accepted to the OCU VP program with a hefty talent scholarship. I visited twice, and both visits went amazing. I also had a fantastic sample lesson with the professor that my current voice teacher (an OCU alum) recommended I take with there. I am a baritone with a very dark rich tone and although I have a very operatic voice I am still interested in musical theatre. although I auditioned for MT and VP I was only accepted for VP. although the mt program is very highly ranked, how does the VP program stack up to other schools? even though I would go as a VP I still think I would get great MT training while at other schools I would be locked into opera, I’m just worried about the voice program being overshadowed by the MT majors. again I’ve heard amazing things but when I search top voice programs OCU isn’t so much up there as it is for MT.

First of all, congrats on your acceptance with a talent scholarship!!

As for the VP program at OCU it is certainly known and respected. I wouldn’t put too much weight on rankings as long as you’re at a respected program. The most important thing for your development will be your relationship with your teacher. Do you feel a connection? Are you excited about working with your teacher? It sounds like you do/are. It also sounds like they like you. So all is good! You just need to wait for your other acceptances (and potential teachers). But in my opinion I would put the most weight on the teacher (not the ranking of the school).

As for the MT and VP “thing”, I’ll make a few comments that may pertain to you or not. My D went through the VP and MT issue. She wanted MT but did try some VP (only where there was MT too). A few observations:

Ask your current teacher honestly where he/she sees your potential in the long run. Just hear the answer.

Ask your teacher at OCU as well. You may want to ask your current teacher the best was to ask. Obviously they chose you for VP but you could ask their opinion about your voice for some MT productions. At least you’ll have an idea of what to expect.

See what other results you get. My D did get offers from good MT programs but her private teacher and her potential teacher were pushing her toward VP as where her true potential was. My D is in a MM program now and it took until Jr. year for her to fully accept that her teachers were right.

MT was all my D really knew after high school (not uncommon for singers). She was confident and loved the whole process. But an opera production isn’t that different in some ways. So stay open to that.

If you do decide to go to OCU MT will be big. Opera voices take more time. So I would also say that if you go the VP route that you may be considering grad school. You may want to check on your potential teacher and see what grad schools former students have attended. If former students have gone on to good programs then you can go with confidence and let your teacher and the program steer you in MT or opera productions.

Note men’s voices can grow substantially in undergrad. So your teachers may still hedge a little on your future. And there can be some cross over bx opera and classic MT productions. But again find a good teacher you like and trust and see how your voice develops.

Good luck! It sounds like a promising start.

And remember you are not choosing a school for the freshmen MT show (which would be super fun, right?). You are picking a school for your senior year as you launch yourself to the next step. You have to be ok with sitting out of MT to develop your classical voice in some cases (maybe your situation or not). Have some honest conversations with teachers so you feel comfortable in your choice and know what to expect.