<p>When singers audition, they are judged by what is heard and seen. Then the jurists, conductors, etc., may look at their “credentials”. A resourceful singer and/or parents can find the opportunities for the extras, making contacts, the most valuable of which are classmates, whether it be during the academic year or at summer programs. A male singer will have many more funded summer opportunities than a female, fact of life. If the parents of a female singer can manage the summer extras, she has a good leg up. A singer must do the basic work of musicianship, language, and style, but the biggest hurdles are the natural talent and the vocal technique. Voice type is a factor, the rarer the better, and for most modern directors, the “package” is crucial. All of this can be achieved at a good undergraduate institution. Good luck to your son, SimpleLife.</p>
<p>^Thanks, loerlei. Good synopsis. Here’s hoping! …</p>
<p>Came across this article by Suzanne Mentzer in the Huffington Post about becoming an opera singer. Thought it would fit here. [Susanne</a> Mentzer: So You Want to Be an Opera Singer?](<a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>So You Want to Be an Opera Singer? | HuffPost Entertainment)</p>
<p>^Loved it! Thanks!</p>
<p>She writes excellent articles. Here is the link to all her articles at HP:</p>
<p>[Susanne</a> Mentzer](<a href=“http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susanne-mentzer]Susanne”>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susanne-mentzer)</p>
<p>Fiddlefrog, I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>Regarding the importance of the “name” of the undergrad school opening doors after graduation, I am with Lorelei on this one (mostly!). When it comes to grad school auditions it’s going to be what comes out of a singer’s mouth that’s the most important thing, along with the student’s potential and “teachability”. If a student goes to a top name school and makes no real progress during those 4 years- and I know of a number of students who fit in this category- the name of the school they came from won’t matter a bit. Graduate schools are expecting a certain level of proficiency at that point, and the name of the graduate school can be considered important here as the better schools will attract a higher level of student. And some schools have stronger undegrad depts or have higher level graduate divisions. A student who is not up to the standards of " Graduate School X" might well get into “Graduate School Z” , so it’s important for a student to access themselves realistically during the summer before their senior year and look for graduate schools which will help them progress to yet a higher level.</p>