<p>That list needs a little explaining. Is this grad, undergrad, based on size of the dept, credentials of the faculty or what? I would disagree with the list in several respects.</p>
<p>I have seen this list, or one very much like it, posted before. I believe that one turned out to be from US News and World Report from about 10 years back. If that is the case, I would not pay much attention to it both because of the methodology used and the age of the information. Things can change literally overnight as teachers retire or move.</p>
<p>I also remember that list from US News and World Report being for Graduate programs in 1997.</p>
<p>I think the list for undergrad could be very different than the list for grad students. There are many voice teachers and former grads who do not even recommend many of the listed programs for undergrads. I think University of Maryland's program has eclipsed Peabody's for example. Teachers coming and going and aging have such an impact that it is pretty much impossible to rank. There is not objective data upon which to rank.</p>
<p>OK - 1. Go to a school WITHOUT a large graduate program. If you don't you will not get all the experience you could because the graduate students will get it.</p>
<p>e.g. I did my undergrad at SUNY Fredonia - initially I was upset because my friends went to Oberlin, New England, etc... financially I could not afford them. But in the long run it was the best thing that ever happened. I got a TON of performance experience where I know people from Juilliard who only sang in public for their graduation recital!!!! If you go there study with Julie Newell. I got a BM in Vocal performance there. Take advantage of every opportunity you can there, choral, opera or musical theater.</p>
<p>Skip U HA - meaning Hartt. I got an Artist Diploma in Opera there and it was great - however the school dismantled the classical music conservatory atmosphere and merged it with the drama and dance. There is no opera there anymore and you would be better off else where. Its sad to say but until the administration allows the school to get back on its conservatory feet your money is best spent elsewhere.</p>
<p>Lastly I went to the Juilliard Opera Center - it was great for meeting people, NYC experience and learning the biz.</p>
<p>but the best over all education I received was from SUNY Fredonia. It prepared me for the future.</p>
<p>I am currently a working classical singer.</p>
<p>Just you know - Renee Fleming started at SUNY Pottsdam and was a Juilliard when I was. Potsdam and Fredonia have always been rivals but its really true that for performance Fredonia is better. Pottsdam is better known for Music Education. Fredonia also has a great Music Education program. All depends on your interests.</p>
<p>Hope this helps - in closing - let yourself be a big fish in a smaller pond to start so you can have every opportunity possible to learn your craft by doing it. Then go for the big leagues.</p>
<p>Just my thoughts.</p>
<p>G.</p>
<p>P.S. and Dramakiy - some of the worst teachers I have ever met were associated with NATS. some of the best were not but I met one who was wonderful. I guess what I am saying is - don't let that affiliation be a factor in finding a voice teacher. It doesn't mean all that much when it comes to the quality of the teaching.</p>
<p>Thanks Gladys: My D has been accepted for vocal performance at Fredonia and is seriously considering it. She has met Ms. Newell a couple of times and would request to be in her studio. I was glad to hear your opinion!</p>
<p>musmom2,</p>
<p>i read that your daughter was also accepted to Syracuse for vocal performance and was wondering if you could elabote on that program a bit. i haven't heard much about thier music program, but know of their excellent musical theatern program. any information would be extremely helpful!
thanks in advance and congrats to you and your daughter!! :)</p>
<p>hi "theperformer": have sent you a pm with SU info!</p>
<p>"OK - 1. Go to a school WITHOUT a large graduate program. If you don't you will not get all the experience you could because the graduate students will get it."</p>
<p>This is so true. Son finishing voice at Michigan. I would advise looking at schools that will give undergrads more performance opportunities.</p>
<p>OTOH, if there are no or few graduate students, and the opera director is overly ambitious, and the voice teachers are either not protective or lack perspective, undergraduates tend to be asked to do things they absolutely should not be doing. If one compares the repertory lists of undergraduates at the large university music programs (like Indiana, Michigan, etc.) to those with dominant undergrad programs, they are vastly different......where there are graduate students present, the undergraduate repertory is much less dramatic in scope, i.e. more Mozart and less Verdi. It is more reasonable.</p>
<p>My daughter (Rice grad) actually liked the presence of graduate students. She felt it elevated the program, and that Rice (at least while she was there) kept their promise of developing undergraduates as well and making sure there were good roles for them. She learned a lot from the graduate students, although she was intimidated by them freshman year.</p>
<p>Hi,
This my first post - hope I'm doing it right! My husband and I are professional musicians, so have reasonable knowledge of music schools. He is a clarinetist; I am a violist. He went to Northwestern (Marcellus); I went to Indiana University (Skernick). We now live on the west coast of Canada. We have a 17-year-old daughter currently in Grade 11 who would like to go into vocal performance (classical). She is talented - went to BUTI in the summer of 2007 as a 15-year-old and went to Walnut Hill the following fall for Grade 10. She feels quite certain she would like to stay on the west coast. I see very little information here about west coast schools. Anyone know about schools up and down the coast? She is a dual citizen - no citizenship issues. We are thinking about USC. Anyone have knowledge about San Francisco Conservatory for voice? University of Oregon?</p>
<p>old viola, welcome. There's not a lot of discussion of west schools in general. As far as SF Conservatory, there's this <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/409306-san-francisco-conservatory.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/409306-san-francisco-conservatory.html</a> which may not be much help.</p>
<p>Of the top of my head, lorelei2702 might be the first person to ask. You may get lucky, as there has been a tremendous increase of active vocal students/parents actively posting. </p>
<p>You can also try the search function with different criteria.</p>
<p>Thank you, violadad. I should clarify that our daughter is here with us. She did one year at Walnut Hill and returned home for Grade 11. And, while we have quite a few contacts by virtue of our professional relationships, it would be helpful to talk to anyone "in the know" about voice.</p>
<p>There have been a few discussions here about west coast vocal programs. I believe I saw something about one of the schools (UCLA?) having an unusual teacher arrangement, with the students switching teachers quite frequently, which would be a difficult pedagogical situation for a young singer. Over the years I have encountered several fine singers from Santa Barbara, but I do not know much about their program currently. Let me know where you daughter is considering, and I will do some research for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hi,
I've read something in one of the threads about that policy at UCLA. It hardly seems plausible, given that many fine, successful singers stick with one teacher/mentor their entire career. I also read negative things in one of the threads about Santa Barbara. Is it possible the singers you heard had gone to the Music Academy of the West? If it was actually UCSB, then the information I read may have been misleading.
We are thinking about University of Oregon, USC (Thornton School of Music) and San Francisco Conservatory. My daughter prefers a university setting to a conservatory.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm a senior going to Oberlin next year for voice - a baritone - and I just figured I'd give my two cents cuz I like when I get lots of replies to help my decisions too. Your list of top tier schools is very diverse. You need to decide what type of school you want, it seems to me. You have everything from Curtis, which is one building and no college atmosphere, to UM, which is a big-ten atmosphere with 35,000 kids. In my opinion, figuring out the atmosphere that you can succeed in is the key. I chose Oberlin because it's relatively small, but still incredibly competitive, and the college is also fantastic. Also, the real key in here is finding a teacher. The teacher matters more than the college, so find an atmosphere you can grow in, and a teacher you like, and try to go to that/those schools. Hope this helps at all...</p>
<p>also, look at if you want grad students there. I loved IU and the Jacobs school was my top choice until I realized I would get no performance time while earning my performance degree...it didn't seem to make much sense to me. I dont wanna compete with 25 year olds for roles, I'd lose every time!!</p>
<p>oldviola, don't overlook UBritish Columbia for voice -- or is it too close to home? We also visited UDenver and liked the classical dept for a smaller school.</p>
<p>USC Thornton is very well-respected. I personally know one young woman (soprano) who is well on her way to a fine career in opera.</p>