<p>I know this question has probably been asked a million times...so i guess i will make a million and one(mwhaha). So i am a high school senior looking for schools. Most people are looking into the big music schools juilliard, MSM, NEC; but i really want to find that school where undergrads have much performance time. and by performance time i mean mainstage productions, recitals, concert. I think that this is the only way you will be able to compete as a graduate student. Everyone that gets into grad school and the big schools knows how to sing, but are they comfortable on stage, do they have acting experience, and do they know where to go when you say upstage. I have a very short list of SUNY Purchase, and North Carolina School of the Arts. Are there anymore really good undergrad schools for baritones...or vocal performance majors in general?? thanks!!</p>
<p>All, or nearly all undergrad: Oberlin, Lawrence.</p>
<p>Two schools come to mind, Oberlin (besides the 5 year BM/MM program they do not have a grad program) and UCLA . UCLA has a very small program(30-35 total) , so if you REALLY have game and are ready to sing as an undergrad, you will.</p>
<p>I went to Indiana University Bloomington and had a TON of performance opportunities as an Undergrad. First of all, they do around 7 mainstage shows each season and as part of your ensemble requirement, you can opt to do Opera Chorus. This allows you to be onstage, in costume, in makeup for anywhere from 2-4 shows per year! Plus, if a particular chorus is low on a particular voice part, they often pay students to sing in an extra choir. They also pay for students to appear onstage as supernumeraries. </p>
<p>Aside from that, many undergraduates audition for roles in the mainstage operas and the standout students are often cast several times throughout their undergrad education. You are not subordinated as an undergrad at IU. I was cast in several mainstage roles as an undergrad baritone. </p>
<p>I loved IU and would recommend it to any undergraduate seeking performance opportunities. You have to know where to look for them and how to have the courage to win them, but they’re yours if you really want them.</p>
<p>I second Oberlin. I’m currently doing my third role here and I’m a senior. The fact that undergrads get so much performance time is one of the reasons that I chose Oberlin.</p>
<p>SUNY Purchase has a ridiculous amount of performance opportunities for undergrads, including several recitals, a one act opera, a full length opera, opera scenes, and many others.</p>