<p>Open to dicussion! I’ve seen this at many music schools, for the past, well, let’s just say, over " more than I care to admit" years, and this one had some unexpected uneveness in it…Even two “professionals” is at least one too many, especially when one is the Figaro, a baisc staple in the rep of every performance bari (even if said Figaro is a terrific guy, which he is!) and one would expect a doctoral program to harbor a credible Bartolo within it’s folds- again, it’s the planning portion of their program I’m looking at under the lens.
Don, very good point and there is the freshman-sophomore choir, if that is an appealing option to students. For some, it is great, for others, it’s a point to run away. which is why there are schools offering different options, thankfully!!</p>