<p>I'm trying to decide if it's worth a plane ticket from Dallas to New Jersey to see an opera performance at Westminster Choir College. My D is interested in opera and choral music ed. I'm not convinced that WCC has a particularly high caliber opera program from what I see online. When I called the music office, the person answering the phone (sounded like a young student) had to ask someone else in the office if they had opera in the fall semester. (We visited UMich and Oberlin last week.....)</p>
<p>My D also leans towards larger schools as well.</p>
<p>My D auditioned at WCC in November and toured the school. We feel the school has a solid vocal performance program with great teachers, but it’s small. The campus is charming and we loved Princeton. It’s a great college town. We’ve heard some outstanding graduates from WCC. You should look up the voice faculty on the website and contact one or two teachers to ask them specifics about the program. You should also have a sample lesson while there, if you decide to go. Good luck.</p>
<p>WCC has some fine voice teachers, and fine singers. Maybe you could extend your trip a few days, and have your D make arrangements to have some sample lessons, observe classes and rehearsals, in addition to seeing the opera performance. Then you would have a better idea as to whether or not your D wants to include WCC in the mix of applications. You might also PM some of the posters/parents who have kids attending there. Check the old acceptance/decision lists.</p>
<p>WCC’s strength is its teachers, who are known particularly for nurturing young voices. I don’t think you’ll find a larger group of excellent teachers anywhere. That is important if your child is not able to get his/her top choice of teacher at another school with a smaller faculty. WCC has a deep bench. My D was accepted there but decided not to go only because she decided she wanted a more traditional campus experience for undergrad. She will be attending a young artist program there this summer however.</p>