Possible to Study Piano AND Voice?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I have read a few bios of musicians who double majored in piano AND vocal performance, and I would like to know if this is still possible</p>

<p>Knowing the great committment of time and effort required for a performance degree in just one instrument, I do not expect to complete a full double major in piano and voice. I would settle for simply continuing lessons on both instruments through a good portion of my undergraduate studies. I feel strongly about how helpful it is for a singer to be able to play the piano and also experience music from an instrumental perspective--especially given the strong symbiosis between piano and voice. My circumstances also place me at a little bit of a disadvantage as a piano player because I have only about a year's worth of private lessons behind me, and, though I am already at an intermediate level, I want to continue until I feel confident in sightreading accompaniments and the like. Besides, I do dearly love playing.</p>

<p>Does anyone know of colleges that allow music students to take lessons on two instruments? I believe Simpson College does for piano and voice, considering they require introductory piano lessons instead of piano class for voice majors. Stetson University also allows lessons in two instruments at least for a couple years.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Hi–I have a friend at Westminster Choir College who is double majoring in piano and organ performance. So you might have luck there–they have piano, organ, and voice there, so it could be an option. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>In general, the consensus from those “in the know”, is not to consider serious doubling unless one is at the top of their game on their primary.</p>

<p>The reality is that many musicians headed toward the conservatory level route have had high level training or experiences across instruments, or disciplines. A few become incredible performers on a number of instruments. The trick is in the presentation of, and knowing the reasons and justifications for a dual pursuit. The competitiveness of the departments in both disciplines may also be a factor in considering programs.</p>

<p>Be aware that BM programs will have a piano proficiency requirement as part of any performance degree pursuit. There are alternatives available for the student whose current skill level allows them to bypass or test out of the rudimentary piano requirements, but the procedures and options are institution specific. </p>

<p>A lot will depend upon the institution, and specific instructor philosophy. In a performance field, many see doubling or concentration on a secondary as a diversion, a waste of time, not being focused enough, hedging your bets, or any number of such comments.</p>

<p>Practical concerns can be allocation of time, conflicting ensemble/participatory requirements as well as institution specific cost considerations for secondary lessons or availability. For many it becomes the amount of attention or devotion that can be applied to doing two concurrently.</p>

<p>Some ways around the policies can be looking at offered minors, studying privately with faculty, doctoral, grad students or high level undergrad students, or privately with non-affiliated instructors. </p>

<p>Off the top of my head, the posters -Allmusic- and stringkeymom are probably the most knowledgeable in terms of institutions that encourage or tacitly support secondary instrumental pursuits.</p>

<p>A prior thread on doubling: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/262554-advice-two-instruments.html?highlight=doubling[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/262554-advice-two-instruments.html?highlight=doubling&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>There are tangential discussions of doubling and multiple instruments in a number of threads, but I can’t recall any specific school recommendations. For a start, you might want to begin to choose options based on requirements for your primary pursuit, and investigate deeper by sorting through the music specific website. Often the best place for this type of info is buried within the undergrad handbook (or music specific supplement) of the website. It’s advisable to discuss these options with music admissions and spefific faculty as you begin to narrow choices.</p>

4

<p>Reluctantly, I do realize the conflict of interest in having a concentration outside of the primary instrument. Mastering one instrument alone takes decades, let alone trying to master two!</p>

<p>As I mentioned, I am content with simply taking lessons and working on piano as an aside to voice. I have been subversively slipping in the little question to music admission counselors, “Would I be able to take piano lessons, too?” The answer I receive depends on the school: some are fine and others look at me as if I spoke the unspeakable. It can be quite funny. :)</p>

<p>I just thought I would ask in case anyone had experience with specific schools I have not looked into already.</p>

<p>Thank you for your input, violadad!</p>

5

<p>They will give you a piano placement exam. If you have only studied for a year, chances are you will go into class piano, which will be very helpful in co-ordination with your music theory classes. The look of dismay you were given was possibly because they know how hard it is to please piano faculty and do well in that area…especially with a minimal background. Probably you can make arrangements to continue piano study throughout your undergraduate work, but you might be put with a graduate student once you have made your way through the piano class curriculum. You will be glad not to be in any deeper than that…many, many hours in the practice room are required for serious piano study. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>I don’t know a lot of schools, but at the two I know best, Brandeis and UNC-Chapel Hill, voice majors are quite easily able to take lessons in piano as well as voice.</p>

7

<p>A few reasons why Piano and Voice can work together:</p>

<p>1) Piano will require a standard amount of practice, but voice requires the least. That is because you can only sing for so long each day. I suspect that brass players are similar to voice (can only buzz the lips so long).</p>

<p>2) The same ensemble group can cover both Voice and Piano. There is no Piano choir, so piano majors typically take Choir to fulfill their ensemble requirement.</p>

<p>That leaves private lessons, and all the regular music classes.</p>

<p>However, given your goal, I would recommend majoring in voice, and just taking piano lessons. At most schools, there is a keyboard requirement for all music students. Note: Sight reading to the accompaniment level is a talent, and not necessarily a skill that can be learned.</p>

8

<p>At many schools, voice majors are expected to continue piano studies past the class piano stage, in effect pursuing a minor in piano. Of course, this may depend on your level upon entering. I would imagine that with only a year of study going in, you would not audition into a piano major slot; but a minor, or lessons throughout, seems a reasonable goal. Beware that at many schools you will pay for the second set of lessons once you progress past the class level.</p>