Opera at Yale, Harvard, or Princeton?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>As I choose what college I will ultimately attend come August, one of the determining factors is music. I love to sing opera, folk, and music theater. I'll be attending each of these school's admit weekends, but know I'll be getting but a small taste of the true four-year experience. I've been conducting intensive research these past several days on the musical opportunities at each of these universities and feel that I have a reasonable, yet biased understanding of what each school has to offer. I would GREATLY appreciate everyone's input on the weaknesses and strengths of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton in terms of musical education.</p>

<p>Brief background: As I applied to college, I knew I didn't want to attend a conservatory. Why? I wasn't (and still am not) certain I want to pursue a career in music. Other schools I have the option of attending (but am not as gung-ho about) are Bienen at Northwestern, Peabody at Hopkins, Blair at Vanderbilt, or Duke. What do you all think?</p>

<p>Thank you SOSOSO much in advance for your counsel!</p>

2

<p>all three are great schools for music history (strength); none offer degrees for undergrads in performance (weakness). Some Yale students study with faculty (most with grad students); at Harvard you’re on your own for lessons; at Princeton, there are some adjuncts you can study with. As to opera, all I know is that Yale recently did Magic Flute.</p>

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<p>Yale does not have a BM in music for undergrads but it does have a BA. The MM in performance is for grad students only. I do not know whether the Magic Flute was a music department production or not…if it was, it is highly unlikely that undergrads would have been involved in it in a big way (e.g. lead roles). Yale, however, has a wealth of singing opportunities for undergrads that are extracurricular in nature. Perhaps one of these might fill your need.</p>

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<p>the whiffenpoofs!</p>

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<p>I only know about Yale which has excellent opportunities for music and their groups travel around the world performing. Here is their performance music website:
[Yale</a> Department of Music > Performance Opportunities](<a href=“Welcome | Department of Music”>Welcome | Department of Music)</p>

<p>Their undergraduate opera program is well endowed and they just put on The Marriage of Figaro. The Schola Cantorum with Simon Carrington as director is a wonderful sacred
choral music group. There are many different groups as you can see and in addition, the city of New Haven has a wealth of performances groups as well.</p>

<p>Good luck searching for your school - congrats - you have three wonderful colleges from which to pick!</p>

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<p>Look at last year’s acceptances list…there was a singer who went to Yale as an undergraduate. You could PM her mom.</p>

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<p>Magic Flute was done by Yale Opera and Yale School of Music, so its cast was mostly made up of graduate students. But the three spirits were played by undergraduates, one of whom is a freshman soprano we know. With its world class graduate program in music performance, Yale is likely to provide more operatic experience for an undergraduate than Harvard or Princeton, though a Harvard student could conceivably (though not conveniently) take advantage of some of the opportunities that Boston has to offer.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much! Any more information would be great. What I understand so far is…(based off of what I’ve learned here and from outside authorities)</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Yale is where to go for DRAMA. I’m more interested in music, so I’m not certain how important this fact is to me.</p></li>
<li><p>Yale and Harvard provide the BEST undergraduate education. (Hmmm…is this true?)</p></li>
<li><p>Princeton is “best overall,” and I would be a “big fish in a small pond” were I to go there. Therefore, I would have more attention from professors.</p></li>
</ol>

9

<p>Hi - I don’t read the music major forum, but I was following a Susan Boyle thread and somehow ended up here. </p>

<p>Princeton is regarded as being the most undergraduate focused of the three universities. And Princeton has a certificate program in music performance. You might find the following interesting or useful:</p>

<p>[The</a> Department of Music at Princeton University](<a href=“http://www.music.princeton.edu/musical_performance.htm]The”>http://www.music.princeton.edu/musical_performance.htm)
The Program in Musical Performance</p>

<p>"The study of music at Princeton recognizes many paths to deeper musical understanding. The Department of Music offers a variety of courses in the theory, history, and substance of music. Bringing music to life through performance is regarded as the backbone of any course of musical study, however, and the Program in Musical Performance is designed to serve qualified students seeking to develop their skills as musical performers within a liberal arts context.</p>

<p>"The Program in Musical Performance gives students the opportunity to select courses from the department curriculum, many of which are either performance-oriented or have a significant performance component, and combine them with private study, work in University ensembles, and an independent performance project, all under the guidance of distinguished professional performers. “We want to attract students with a variety of musical interests, from the more traditional areas of instrumental and vocal performance to jazz, rock, and electronic media,” says Director Michael Pratt. While the primary purpose of the program is not to provide conservatory-style training, it can help aspiring performers prepare for professional study while receiving the benefits of a superior liberal arts education.</p>

<p>"Princeton offers several out-standing performing ensembles. Recent performances include Mahler’s Symphonies No. 2 and 3 and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring (University Orchestra), Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah (University Choruses), and concerts with Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, and Slide Hampton (University Jazz Ensembles). Each of these groups also enjoys an ambitious touring schedule.</p>

<p>"The teaching staff at Princeton includes highly respected freelance and orchestral performers from the New York-Philadelphia area. In addition, each year specialists in various aspects of performance are brought to the department to teach courses and work with students on an individual basis. The award-winning Brentano Quartet is in residence. Master classes have been taught by pianist Gary Grafman; jazz artists Terence Blanchard, Phil Woods, and Bob Mintzer; violist Samuel Rhodes; and Nash Ensemble of London.</p>

<p>“Students in the program receive a full subsidy for the cost of private lessons with department staff. Some funds are also available for summer music study.”</p>

<p>[Princeton</a> University - Senior Vander Ploeg wins Marshall Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S19/68/93K04/index.xml]Princeton”>Senior Vander Ploeg wins Marshall Scholarship)
"Princeton senior Sarah Vander Ploeg – a Woodrow Wilson School major who also is an accomplished lyric soprano and violist – is one of 37 American college students awarded 2008 Marshall Scholarships.</p>

<p>"The Marshall Scholarship covers the cost of living and studying at a British university of the recipient’s choice for two or three years. Vander Ploeg will use her award to obtain a master’s degree in vocal studies at the Royal College of Music in London. She also plans to work on outreach programs with an arts policy group there. </p>

<p>“Vander Ploeg, who is from North Haledon, N.J., hopes to become a professional opera performer as well as serve as an advocate for the arts.”</p>

<p>[Princeton</a> University - Students fully engaged in presenting Mozart opera](<a href=“Students fully engaged in presenting Mozart opera”>Students fully engaged in presenting Mozart opera)
"The Princeton University Department of Music will present a production of Mozart’s renowned opera, “The Marriage of Figaro,” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. </p>

<p>"The cast includes some of the University’s most talented singers in the principal roles, along with members of the Glee Club as the chorus and a portion of the Princeton University Orchestra. </p>

<p>"The production will be conducted by Richard Tang Yuk, and the stage director is David Kellett. The production will be fully staged with period costumes and sung in an English translation by Ruth and Thomas Martin. The cast was selected by open audition last spring and learned its roles over the summer. The students have been enrolled this fall in Music 214, ‘Projects in Vocal Performance.’ "</p>

<p>[Princeton</a> University - Performing Arts](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/main/campuslife/arts/performing/]Princeton”>http://www.princeton.edu/main/campuslife/arts/performing/)
An incomplete list of performing arts groups on campus. (Could use some updating.)</p>

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<p>I have also researched a lot about the top universities’ undergrad programs for music–especially opera since I am now a soprano. I feel that Yale, which has a undergrad only opera program, which I don’t think is directly affiliated with undergrad studies, ([The</a> Opera Theatre of Yale College](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/ycoc/]The”>http://www.yale.edu/ycoc/)) is a great opportunity to undergrad students. Whereas Princeton and Harvard do not have too much emphasis on opera.</p>

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<p>I think you will have more opportunities at Princeton because you will not be competing with graduate students. Princeton’s music department is also very energetic and makes a special effort to encourage talent. It is also an easy commute to either NYC or Philadelphia for private teachers (in addition to adjuncts who teach at Princeton)</p>

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<p>OP has probably had to make a final decision by now, but for posterity, I will add in a bit more information on Princeton for vocal studies. In addition to its many a capella groups, Princeton has a Chapel Choir whose members are paid for rehearsals and performances; probably of greater importance for the OP is the chamber choir. Those who successfully audition for chamber choir will receive fully subsidized vocal instruction. Many Princeton students travel to Juilliard weekly for music lessons; it would also be possible to travel in to Philadelphia. For vocalists there is also the option of nearby Westminster Choir College. </p>

<p>Princeton also has received a huge endowment for its Lewis Center for the Arts where the resources for student productions are lavish.</p>

<p>I might add my impression that Yale’s Glee Club and many a capella groups are probably the strongest nationally as well as among the HYP trio. I think that musical context, by which I mean the overall level of musicianship, is as important as opportunity and Yale offers both.</p>

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<p>stringkeymom: Is this a stated policy that Princeton students have the option of studying with voice teachers at WCC? If so, that would be a very attractive opportunity for voice students who could qualify.</p>

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<p>The web page seems to indicate that lessons are only paid for if students study with members of the Princeton faculty.When we were looking into the possibility of an Ivy for D, the cost of private study became the deciding factor because we couldn’t role that into a student loan of any sort…</p>

15

<p>sopranomom92–yes, it’s in the handbook, p. 317. “Special arrangements for instruction at Westminster Choir College can be made for a limited number of students through an interinstitutional exchange program.” </p>

<p>Mezzo’sMama: from the handbook, p. 537:
“Private vocal and instrumental instruction is available through a program managed by the Department of Music. This instruction is not part of the curriculum and the cost is not covered by tuition. However, for departmental concentrators and students accepted into the Program in Musical Performance, the music department subsidizes the entire cost of weekly lessons with teachers under contract to the department. The department also subsidizes part of the cost of weekly lessons for other students under certain conditions.”</p>

<p>From what we know of musicians at Princeton, it is possible to obtain a subsidy for private teachers not at Princeton; in the cases we know, the students who have the subsidy came out of Juilliard pre-college and continue to study with their teachers in New York (who are Juilliard faculty). </p>

<p>So the opportunities are there.</p>

<p>I have also discovered that Yale has an undergraduate 200 level course for vocalists which consists of researching and producing Monteverdi’s Orfeo in collaboration with Yale School of Music.</p>

<p>college555: the course i describe above is one of several in the music department (undergrad) at Yale which offer vocal performance training as a formal component of undergraduate curriculum. another series of courses is connected with the Yale Collegium Musicum.</p>

<p>Princeton also has undergraduate opera opportunities: from the handbook again: “in conjunction with Music 214 the Princeton University Opera Theater and the University Orchestra stages operas and opera scenes … Recent productions include Monteverdi’s the Coronation of Poppaea, Mozart’s the Magic Flute, Cavilli’s La Calisto and Egisto and Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience.”</p>

<p>One difference I would observe is that Princeton’s choral groups must rely on the Princeton orchestra and undergraduate students (mainly) whereas the Yale Glee Club (for instance) performs with the Yale Symphonia (from the Yale School of Music–not just a conservatory level orchestra, but a graduate level conservatory orchestra) and regularly pulls in world class conductors. The recording my son picked up during Bulldog Days, which had much to do with his decision to choose Yale, features the Glee Club singing with the Symphonia under the baton of Neville Mariner. The soloists were undergraduate voices.</p>

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<p>I know the OP and she picked YALE!!!</p>

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<p>Aha! My son will see her there come fall!</p>

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<p>Here is a link to audio and visuals of Yale’s musical ensembles including the Opera company, the Collegium Musicum, chamber groups and new music:</p>

<p>[Yale</a> Department of Music > Our Showcase > Audio and Video](<a href=“Welcome | Department of Music”>Welcome | Department of Music)</p>

<p>vocalists, you might want to listen to the Yale Symphony audio clip which features the winner of the concerto competition, a class of '03 vocalist with a lovely voice.</p>

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<p>Yale’s music dept website is confusing me. I’m having a hard time figuring out if Yale offers an undergraduate program for vocal/opera students. I see several graduate offerings, but I’m not clear what degree undergrads earn. Also, if admitted to the opera program, are students able to take minors outside the music dept? I’m new to this–my daughter is currently a junior.</p>

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<p>On the website you need to look at the Department of Music instead of the School of Music (graduate students only)
[Yale</a> Department of Music > Undergraduate Program > Introduction](<a href=“Welcome | Department of Music”>Welcome | Department of Music)</p>

<p><a href=“Welcome | Department of Music”>Welcome | Department of Music;