<p>First, thanks to everyone here for all of the wonderful advice. The stuff I have learned since joining this board is just unreal. Sometimes it almost feels like a Pandora's box, but in a good way!! Since my daughter is a freshman we are starting the process of putting together a good list of schools so we can really take time to learn about the programs and potentially plan visits. I am hoping that she can attend a summer program during the summer between her sophomore and junior year, so I want to use this summer to spend time researching schools. </p>
<p>One thing we have mutually decided is that a really great vocal program is probably the most important thing for her. She wants to develop her voice to its very best capacity and she wants a program that appreciates classical training. So of course several of the BM programs have risen to the top of her list even though when we first started this research she was certain she wanted a BFA. But now she is really beginning to think that for her, musically based training might be the best course with a strong emphasis on vocal performance. We already have a nice list of BM programs we are looking at, but not wanting to rule out BFA or even BA programs, are there any suggestions as to which might really be the best in terms of vocal emphasis?</p>
<p>Oklahoma City University has a great voice/mt program. They’re program was SO focused on the music that my S didn’t pursue it-acting is his main interest. There is a lot of theory, composition, choir, keyboard and of course voice training. We saw a production and the kids had amazing voices. If voice is your thing than I would check this program out.</p>
<p>Thanks Ikemom! OCU wasn’t even on her radar when we started this process, except that she knew it was Kristin Chenoweth’s alma mater. But it has quickly risen to the top of her list. She is hoping to attend their summer program next year.</p>
<p>Ithaca’s MT program is really an interdepartmental double major in acting and vocal performance, with a minor in dance. The voice faculty is first rate. Definitely worth a look. I think they have a summer program also, but it might be too late to apply for this year, I’m not sure.</p>
<p>@Sopranomtmom- my D is a freshman MT major at OCU this year. And she went to the camp the summer after her freshman year in high school. She adored the camp. But loves her college even more. It is a BM as described above. But it’s so much more. She went to a Kristin Chenowerh master class last night and leaves for OCUNYC - their spring break program - this weekend. If you have specific questions about camp or school feel free to post them or message me and I will do my best to get answers for you.</p>
<p>Northwestern allows Vocal Performance majors to audition for the MT Certificate, which creates a voice-intensive MT program, so that may be worth investigating.</p>
<p>I can echo the comments about OCU. D and I were there for an audition last Friday, and just the practice facilities are phenomenal. There are dozens of fully sound proofed practice rooms in the 250,000 sq ft performing arts center. They even have a lab on site where they can scope vocal cords to evaluate problems and provide corrections. They also work with several local ENT doctors to keep the singers healthy. We’re hoping to hear good news from them in a few weeks.</p>
<p>OCU certainly does sound like a wonderful fit for her and I know she has Ithaca on her list as well. Northwestern is not one we had considered, but she does have stellar academics so certainly one to add to the list. We are hoping for some good merit scholarship dollars base on GPA and test scores. I almost wish she could have tried for the OCU summer program this year, but I’m not quite ready to let her go so far from home for an extended period yet and she really wanted to try out for the local youth theatre summer production of Into The Woods. And it all worked out as she was cast in the role of Cinderella which she is over the moon about, so thankfully there is next summer and maybe even the summer before her senior year. I’m hoping I’ll be more ready to let her go by then. She’s ready - I need to be the one to loosen the apron strings I guess!</p>
<p>My child did the OCU summer program after sophomore year, and will be going again this year. The only regret is that we didn’t do it after the freshman year. OCU was already near the top of our list, but after spending time there with the faculty it will be hard not to rank it at the very top of our list. It is a wonderful place with top notch people and facilities.</p>
<p>And Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah Univ., which has excellent traditional voice (B.M. in Performance-Voice) and MT vocal training (BFA in MT) including cutting-edge MT styles like pop-rock, country, R&B, and even heavy metal!</p>
<p>sopranomtmom, everyone is going to tell you that their school has excellent vocal training. And I’m sure most do. But sounds like from your screen name and from what you’ve said about your daughter that you are perhaps looking for schools that especially appreciate the classical soprano voice as opposed to/in addition to the belt voice. Ones that come to mind that haven’t been mentioned are Steinhardt, Indiana, and FSU. I’m sure I’m leaving some out. But search the forum and oodles of threads will likely pop up.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the suggestions. FSU looks very interesting. That wasn’t even on our radar! NYU Steinhardt is high on D’s list, but have to be realistic about finances. I’m looking for programs where she would have a decent chance at some scholarship dollars, especially those that offer merit based scholarships. She has a good friend who had to rule out NYU last year because of the price tag and it was tough for him.</p>
<p>Don’t rule NYU out if your daughter is an excellent student. My d is a junior in the Steinhardt Vocal Performance/MT program and received a combined (need/academic/talent) scholarship that equals 1/3 of the cost. It brought her education there equal with the offers from Hartt and UArts. </p>
<p>I ditto maMTma’s suggestion of Shenandoah University. The MT program is part of the 135 year old Shenandoah Conservatory. They offer a robust, legit /classical voice training Freshman through Junior years to ensure an excellent foundation in vocal technique. Then in Senior year, they build on that foundation and train the kids in “healthy” pop/rock and other contemporary musical styles so that they are well-prepared for the HUGE trend on Broadway and elsewhere toward alternative vocal styles. Prof. Matthew Edwards is a recognized leader in this training, and he is in constant demand as a trainer of other professional vocal teachers all over the country. Currently, Shenandoah is the ONLY university in the U.S. that offers Teacher Certification in “CCM” (Contemporary/Commercial Music) for singers. In fact, I first learned about this at the Chicago Unifieds, when the presenters at two separate MT schools’ info meetings, proudly stated that they had “a voice teacher on staff who had been certified in ‘healthy pop/rock singing’ by Shenandoah Conservatory, the only such certification program in the U.S.”) We were thrilled to hear this, since D had already been accepted to Shenandoah. My daughter is also a classically trained soprano, but the writing is on the wall… unless she is going to be happy doing only operas and operettas, she must be able to sing other styles with equal ease and without harming her vocal cords. Be sure to check out the post from VoiceTeacher - the thread is called “Current Vocal Demands: An analysis of casting notices” regarding a revealing and insightful study on current vocal casting statistics. Classical/legit roles make up only 5% of the roles being cast. It breaks this soprano mama’s heart, but it’s the reality, and I do want D to be able to work at what she loves, so here’s to a “healthy belt”! By the way, Shenandoah generously rewards high GPAs and SATs. Presidential Scholarship is 20k/year and their tuition is not as high as many other programs of this caliber.</p>
<p>Sopranomtmom, my D is a legit soprano auditioning this season. FSU combines the BM MT and BFA MT auditions for the dance component, FSU has a very difficult dance call and strongly emphasizes dance as well as voice. My D is a lyric coloratura soprano and a classically trained ballerina with excellent grades and did not get in. They only take 8 total boys and girls. We loved the program and were very disappointed with the outcome. Really wished she had auditioned at Shenandoah and OCU after reading this post</p>
<p>Another vote for Shenandoah. D attends Shenco and is a classically trained soprano, One of the main reasons she chose this school was because of their great reputation for vocal training in Pop/Rock styles. She seems very happy with the school. She received scholarships making the tuition much more within our price range. She was accepted to Hartt but they were just too expensive. </p>
<p>@changingmt - I have ? about Shenandoah that u may b able 2 answer. Do they teach legit & belt to students all four yrs, or legit some and belt/pop/rock others? My D is looking for a school with strong emphasis on both styles…</p>
<p>@changingmt will have to address Shenandoah specifically but just want to make a comment about this subject:</p>
<p>I think most schools with a strong vocal emphasis want to first make sure that students have strong legit vocal technique so the first few semesters focus on building a really solid technical foundation. Once they have truly mastered this then they can explore other vocal styles. It is a common misperception that voice centered schools do not teach their students to belt or sing in a pop/rock style. They do. However, their first concern is establishing strong technique through more classical or traditional music knowing that once this is mastered students can learn healthy ways to sing in all styles. What most students need is patience. They all want to belt or sing in the pop/rock style right away because so many current shows ask for that. And they should learn to do it. Just make sure they take their time to insure that they have a strong foundation so they can have a long and fulfilling career. Those who try to rush the process can do a lot of damage to their voice. Asking if and how they teach belting and pop/rock styles are great questions for all schools you are interested in.</p>