Starting From the Beginning....need advice on making the most of my new journey

College Majors Music Major
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<p>I switched my major from Poli Sci to Music-Vocal Performance after finishing 22 semester units at another community college in another state (my other posts go into this....) because I couldn't imagine living my life without singing, namely as a Cantor. </p>

<p>I've studied piano and trumpet in my childhood and into my Teen years, but stopped in favor of colorguard and dance. Then became interested in heading to law school so chose to major in Poli Sci.....</p>

<p>BIG mistake! I wasn't truly happy in my major and among other struggles felt like I was drowning. The love of Classical Music, Opera and Cantorial Music kept me sane during those years and in the years after I left college. </p>

<p>I'm 25 now and am headed to college again this fall, this time choosing Music-VP as my major. </p>

<p>Herein lies the problem: I've never taken a voice lesson in my life! On my schedule this fall are two units of private voice (required by the university I'm gunning to transfer to....University of Nevada, Reno.....which I need to catch up on....) Music Theory 1, Sightsinging and Dictation, a unit of private piano lessons and a few units of classes in other areas. </p>

<p>I'm not really sure how to explain myself and my goals to my voice professor.....I am supposed to meet with the departmental advisor at UNR on Tuesday and I'm not even sure what to say to HIM! </p>

<p>So, has anyone been where I am? Or can help advise me of how I can make the most of this new major?</p>

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<p>Wow… where to start?</p>

<p>I’m not Jewish. I’m not a music professional. I’m not an educator. </p>

<p>I have no expertise to guide you other than to make a couple of informed layman’s observations and suggestions. </p>

<ul>
<li><p>with no prior voice lessons, you appear to be behind the curve. While your mention past musical experiences are a plus, you’d don’t detail any previous choral/vocal participation, which makes gauging your skill level difficult if not impossible. I’d venture to say you’d have far less background and training than the typical VP candidate.</p></li>
<li><p>A quick look through UN Reno music department is unclear as to whether the program is a BA non-audition academic based admit, or an audition driven BM level curriculum. The info was unclear, and a couple of their sidebar links didn’t open. Are you confident that you would be competitive in an audition based program? Have you had ANY professional assessment of your vocal skills?</p></li>
<li><p>How much do you know of the requirements and curriculum of cantorial studies? Beyond the musical training, there is academic work involving the culture, traditions, and religious observational practices within the Hebrew/Jewish tradition. A quick look at googling college cantorial studies brings up a few institutions, and without diving deeply, it seems the an undergrad program is in fact a precursory step. Have you looked fully at the typical path to “get there”? </p></li>
</ul>

<p>I’m probably not helping much. I’m not trying to burst any bubbles here, just trying to point you in a direction or two. </p>

<p>Please read this <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html&lt;/a&gt; as general background. Though written from an instrumental standpoint, it will detail some of the aspects and requirements for selecting a college level music program, as well as give you a better handle of the type of experiences typically found in wannabe performance majors.</p>

<p>You may well need a mentor who has been through this. Have you broached this career path with a rabbi, or an active cantor for advice or direction? It may help you to do so.</p>

<p>My googling found a few links that may be beneficial to you. These are by no means all inclusive.</p>

<p>[JMWC:</a> Places to Study Jewish Music](<a href=“http://www.jmwc.org/jmwc_placestostudy.html]JMWC:”>http://www.jmwc.org/jmwc_placestostudy.html)
[The</a> Cantor-Educator Program of Hebrew College](<a href=“Oy! We can’t find the page you’re looking for. | Hebrew College”>Oy! We can’t find the page you’re looking for. | Hebrew College)
[The</a> Jewish Theological Seminary - H. L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music](<a href=“http://www.jtsa.edu/x780.xml]The”>http://www.jtsa.edu/x780.xml)
[Pre-cantorial</a> Courses - Borns Jewish Studies Program](<a href=“http://www.indiana.edu/~jsp/pre-cantorial.html]Pre-cantorial”>http://www.indiana.edu/~jsp/pre-cantorial.html)
[THE</a> HARTT SCHOOL: MUSIC-DANCE-THEATRE](<a href=“The Hartt School - University of Hartford”>The Hartt School - University of Hartford)</p>

<p>My comments are not meant to question your talent, ability, or drive. Your post was unclear as to how much background research you’ve done in looking at a cantor (or vacal performance) potential career path, so I came from the position that you know little or nothing. I’ll admit I know nothing, but at least felt compelled to attempt to provide you with some places to find out a bit more. :)</p>

<p>As for what questions to ask?</p>

<p>I would go in with as much knowledge about the requirements of becoming a cantor as possible, and ask direct questions if UNR can provide the training and background to help you get there (or into a graduate level type professional program that brings you closer to the goal). Address both the musical and the historical/religious needs, requirements and precursors.</p>

<p>If you haven’t already done so, arrange a trial/informational lesson with UNR voice faculty. Without asking “am I in?” try and get an honest assessment as to if you would be competitive within their admission processes.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>Like violadad, I have no relevant qualifications to help you either. Just so that you know what you want to do is possible, let me tell you about my good friend Eddie. He has loved music his entire life, playing guitar and upright bass, and singing with a very nice voice although he had never taken any voice lessons. At about age 45, he decided that he had enough of the computer business and that he wanted to become a cantor. He started taking voice lessons and went back to school to improve his Hebrew skills and learn whatever else he needed to pick up. Very soon after completing his training he had a part-time position in a fairly small temple and within a year or two had moved up to a full-time position with a much larger congregation.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

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<p>First, I do not intend to rain upon the OP’s parade, but let me say that, although she may well be able to land a job as a cantor, doing so via the VP route may not be possible. At the age of 25, with no previous vocal training, I don’t think that admission to a good, audition-based program is not at all likely.Schools are deluged with applications from females and those girls have years of lessons, choral and competition experience as well as expansive rep lists. They know proper technique and their muscle memory will carry them through. I would suggest that the OP take a good look at some of the threads listed by violadad and investigate programs offered through Hebrew/Jewish Studies schools. I don’t intend to dash anyone’s hopes, but there is a time for realistic thought. I don’t think that age or lack of experience would be held against her if she attempts that route.</p>

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<p>A formal Cantorial Studies program through a formal Jewish-based university program isn’t possible in this situation due to my being married to someone who is not Jewish…
Without exception, all programs disqualify anyone who is married to someone who is not Jewish. </p>

<p>The only option that I am being recommended toward by reps from these programs is to obtain musical training through a community college program and to then apprentice to an active cantor in some area of the country…although doing so is very uncommon. I know of one person who has done this, however his first career was that of a dentist and he studied privately with a retired cantor for a period of years in the seventies before being hired as the cantor for a medium sized synagogue in Southern California. </p>

<p>I will begin attending the local community college this fall which has a musical theater program. After speaking to the head of the Music Department there she believes that “tailoring the program” to both fulfill the requirements of the major as well as my personal needs for musical training that might lay the groundwork to achieve my goal of becoming a cantor. </p>

<p>I am still planning to meet with the Advisor tomorrow from UNR and will also inquire as to his personal opinions and advice. </p>

<p>I’d still like to earn a BM…there is a BM in music education degree offered by UNR that is of some interest to me…however, I am wondering about how to continue vocal studies while pursuing such a degree. </p>

<p>Thank you kindly for all of your insights and advice.</p>

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<p>The BM in music education will prepare you to to teach in K-12. This is not a performance degree. You do not say that you have a passion to teach children. The BM education will have you taking a lot of other courses in education and preparing you for certification for public school teaching. Is this really what you want? If you do not have a passion to teach children, please consider a different degree.</p>

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<p>BassDad, was that Eddie, cantor?</p>

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<p>Good news!</p>

<p>After meeting with the departmental advisor today at UNR, it looks to be as if the BM in Applied Music- Vocal Emphasis (The actual title of the major) IS a very promising possibility for me. The program, while rigorous (as in most students do not complete the program in four years due to the sheer amount of coursework required) is not at all competitive for entrance and he believes that while I have a lot of work to do in terms of catching up with major requirements, that being accepted into the major should not be a problem for me. </p>

<p>I look forward to seeing my education unfold and working as hard as I can and learning as much as possible to aid me to becoming the best vocalist and in the future, Cantor that I can be. </p>

<p>The BM in Music Education was being considered as I also thought of teaching music and trope in a Jewish Day School as a possible career that I would enjoy.</p>

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<p>Good luck in your quest. For reference, a music ed degree as mentioned is designed to provide coursework enabling a successful student to obtain state mandated licensure or certification within a k-12 publicly funded school setting. It is typically not required to teach within a community music school, private, or faith based institution. While some of the coursework of education psychology, general and music specific techniques and philosophies is extremely useful, it is not a requirement in the alternate programs mentioned. Some selective coursework in pedagogy would be helpful, as at some point most music performers teach at some level through music specific programs or by giving private instruction.</p>

<p>Plenty of prior threads in the forum on music ed with much more detail. Consult your advisor or peers in which courses would be best suited to provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of providing music instruction.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

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<p>violadad,</p>

<p>I figured I owed you one after giving you the take sign last time. Well struck.</p>

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<p>So, updating this for everyone. </p>

<p>I’ve settled into my courses well (with the exception of two classes that are integral to the major being cancelled due to low enrollment…so I guess that I get to take an additional year at this college and complete those two sequences while continuing with Private Vocal Training before transferring in Fall 2011.) and find myself VERY happy and content (and challenged!) with my studies and courses. </p>

<p>Can I say that I actually find the vocal exercises that I’m doing daily FUN rather than ‘boring’ or ‘difficult’? I just love the challenge and know that every exercise helps to improve my instrument, which makes me happier.</p>

<p>Also learning a piece that from what I understand, is one of the first for beginning vocalists to learn (correct me if I am wrong), “Caro Mio Ben”.
I just love that arietta! I feel the lyrics intently and this might sound silly…when I sing it, I think of how I felt during the extended period of time that my husband and I were dating long distance before I finally came to NV and married him. :)</p>

<p>So, just wanted to update everyone. I’ll try to keep everyone posted.</p>

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<p>If I understand correctly you are at a local community college that has a music theater program, and there may not be enough interest in general within the student body, or marginal/borderline enrollment making the class questionable from an administrative/financial standpoint, especially at a public funded program in severe economic times. I would be wary that this situation might reoccur.</p>

<p>See if you can talk to some administration… department head, faculty, registrar and get a feel for these courses actual history over the last few years, How often they are offered, are they typically at enough capacity, or is enrollment historically low and the classes while offered are canceled more often than not. Potentially I see the possibility of being stuck in an endless loop.</p>

<p>You may also want to re evaluate with UNR and have a game plan in place if this sequence doesn’t get offered next year. Are there alternatives that are acceptable, or will UNR admit you provisionally if you fulfill this coursework with comparable UNR offerings or at another cc if available. </p>

<p>Try and be proactive rather than reactive.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>Ah yes…G.Schirmer’s “24 Italian Songs and Arias” I STILL have these running through my head (pleasantly I might add)
ENJOY!!! and good luck</p>

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<p>Yes, My community college is pretty well known in the area for its Musical Theater Program and the Regional Company that is associated with it…
I was cast in the musical this semester, and am enjoying it immensely. :)</p>

<p>I have an appointment with my counselor in a little while, so I’m going to talk to her about the course issues that are going on.</p>

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<p>Good Luck to you, Mimi- I think its wonderful that you have made your dream work! violoadad has given you great advice on the topic of ensuring that you are able to take the courses that you need- you do not want to be caught there, with the carrot of these classes being dangled in front of you, but with them constantly being cancelled. Having a back up plan in this case is essential.
Now, I am stuck with that darned song running around in my head, too! My D has been blessed in that she never owned a copy of the Double Dozen (or the Plus Two version), but I spent what felt like EONS in high school, listening to the voice majors in the next practice room singing that piece! Aauuggh…</p>

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<p>I’m throwing my vote in with musicamusica. I think some of the pieces in the 24 Italian book are beautiful. When my D first started singing them, I assumed it was beginner or training repetoire. Then I was watching a PBS special on Pavarotti, and heard him singing Caro Mio Ben. That’s when I realized the pieces were simply classics - they can be used to teach beginners, but then can be sung when one has the skills to bring them to life.</p>

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<p>D is a huge art song fan. It has served her well and opened some important and unexpected doors. Unfortunately it seems a lot of recital rep is relegated to a category that just might be called “beginners rep”. It is great rep for the young (when she starts teaching next week at an afterschool program -one on one with 10-14 year olds-- she will more than likely get them rolling with the 24.) But sung later, by a well trained and mature voice, they have other dimensions that just floor me.</p>

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<p>It’s amazing to think that that those same compilations have been used for students for decades! I feel old every time I pull out a piece of sheet music I paid 50 cents for or an anothology which still bears the price sticker of $1.50! My D can’t believe that she finds the same collection in the racks now marked at $25!!!</p>