<p>Does anyone know of ANY schools in the United States that teach Vocal Performance, but NOT opera? I don't sing opera, I don't want to sing opera, but I do want to sing for a living. I want to sing contemporary music, music that most people want to listen to. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>You might check out the programs at Belmont University, Berklee College of Music, the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and the contemporary music program at USC Thornton. There are lots of others if you want to specialize in jazz.</p>
<p>Good suggestions fram Bassdad. Here’s a link to a recent similar question <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/886875-contemporary-vs-classical-vocal-performance.html?highlight=vocal+performance[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/886875-contemporary-vs-classical-vocal-performance.html?highlight=vocal+performance</a></p>
<p>Might be worth reading the other links within that thread, as there may be additional insights and suggestions.</p>
<p>Whoa, back up! Before you cause any hurt feelings boojae21, please know that saying “music that most people want to listen to” is a statement that can hurt feelings around here (and at many music schools too!). Our kids who are studying VP and planning for a career in opera work very hard, putting in many long hours studying,practicing and honing a craft that is centuries old and your words come across as disparaging and as a put down. I hope you didn’t intend them that way…</p>
<p>I think you also need to understand that all basis of singing is going to have the same points, like breathing and technique. So if you were to major in contemporary performance or jazz, you’re still going to have a lot of the same training. And as a musician… I think you better learn to appreciate ALL times of music.</p>
<p>Berklee, the New Schools, and Westminster (although that is more classical than contemporary)</p>
<p>Good job, Rose! The first two schools would be one for him to look at, WCC is going to be the classical route.
Make use of the search feature on CC- there are some schools in CA which might fit the bill too.</p>
<p>Try University of the Arts in Philadelphia</p>
<p>I’m also looking for a contemporary vocal program for S2. There seem to be very few compared to the number of classical voice programs. I’m curious as to whether this is going to change over the next few years. Or is it just that classical training is just that, classic, and will be of benefit to a developing performer no matter what genre of music they prefer to sing.</p>
<p>Yes, mamakin, classic training does benefit all types of singers. Breath support is needed among other things for any healthy singing. And without healthy singing techniques careers are usually short.</p>
<p>NYU Steinhardt’s vocal performance dept offers a classical or musical theatre option. Not exactly contemporary or pop, but the student’s do MT from all genres. The instruction is classically based and D does some classical songs…but mostly MT.</p>
<p>Freddy Mercury of Queen and Karla DiVito of Meatloaf were both classically trained singers – and there are many, many others, I just went to the extreme rockers to make a point. There’s a lot to be said of the discipline, appreciation, respect for and knowledge of your instrument that comes from classical study.</p>