USC or UCLA non classical vocal majors

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>i hope someone here could help me out with this problem ive been dealing with. </p>

<p>music is a passion of mine and i love singing so much. im not into classical and opera. i just cant find a school that offers vocal majors that arent opera and classical... i live in california and i was really hoping for usc or ucla but i just realized how classical and opera was a must. i dont want to force myself singing something im not familliar and not " literate " of. pls help me out. i need to find a school in los angeles that fits me.... </p>

<p>why cant usc and ucla just accept singers with different styles????
if i did accept a classical singing style just to get in the school, can i still audition singing the way i sing..or i must be trained or literate with a classical genre or operatic one????.. im definitely not familliar with opera or classical song to sing...i only know as far as johs groban and linda rondstant pop classical.</p>

<p>im desperate to get in usc or ucla vocal major. hope they offer something new...pls give me some good tips... im really rooting for usc and second choise is ucla..... i can make the adjustments as long as theyll teach me the right classical way since pop rnb is really what ive grown up singing...</p>

<p>i know its competitive in those schools but i know that singing is really what i want. thanks</p>

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<p>
[quote]
why cant usc and ucla just accept singers with different styles

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Unfortunately, what is, is. kathy, if you are not competitive in the repetoire requirements in an audition based admit, you won't get in. If you can get in, the programs are not going to suit your needs.</p>

<p>Expand your search:
BERKLEE</a> | Voice Department
Commercial</a> Performance Emphasis - Belmont University
The</a> New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
Contemporary</a> Music Program</p>

<p>I cannot assess a vocal program, but these are fine institutions with goodmusic programs, and have specific non classical focus. They may or may not fit your needs. Perhaps others with vocal/contemporary expertise might point you to additional options.</p>

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<p>Kathy,
The schools that violadad listed above are all that I know of that has non specific types in their vocal programs, although I am sure there are others. Besides why would you want to get into a vocal program at a school that has only classical training, when that is not what you want to do? You might pose your question over in the MT (musical theater)section. Lots of folks over there are very up on different types of vocal programs. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>this just made me sad. i can move to a different state but LA. im based her and i really want to get in at UCLA or USC. theres really no way theyd accept student with a great voice but only must learn classical and opera???? </p>

<p>if thats the case then ill just have to force myself to sing these kinds of genres. theres no way i could mover somewhere else. i have put my attention to these two schools. is there anything they can offer....?????</p>

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<p>Kathy, part of the nature of being a "professional musician" is being versatile and flexible, in both what you sing, how you sing, and yes, where you go to find work.</p>

<p>Let's compare to a basketball player - part of being an athlete is that you go wherever you're employed. You can't just say "I want to be a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers my entire career and won't take any other job!" It's just not realistic. You have to go to whichever team signs you, and play whatever position the coach tells you to. If you decline, then you lose your career.</p>

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<p>i dont quite get it... ur saying that classical is not for me then odnt push it or try it???? i can sing classical if i want to but for the auditions i might not be so well literate to sing an aria song unless they accept and train me....</p>

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<p>Kathybaby,</p>

<p>I think you need more advising/counseling than this board can provide.</p>

<p>What is your current musical background? Do you read music fluently? Have you studied any muisc theory or played an instrument such as piano - even a little? Who do you sing for now - your own pleasure or are you involved with any groups - perhaps a choral society or a church choir or praise band or pop/rock band? </p>

<p>Does your community college have any music classes? Frequently community colleges offer 2 years of music theory, applied lessons in voice or instruments, and music history. Have you taken any course work in these areas - is there a music professor/teacher or academic advising area at your school who could help you understand what being a music major is? </p>

<p>Do you know any musicians or singers? Start asking questions about how they managed their early training.</p>

<p>If your community college doesn't have music offerings, I think you need to find a private voice teacher that can help you sort out what you want and the training you'd need. Try a local music stores, community music schools, even the web searching for teachers in your area. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>
[quote]
i dont quite get it... ur saying that classical is not for me then odnt push it or try it???? i can sing classical if i want to but for the auditions i might not be so well literate to sing an aria song unless they accept and train me....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>kathy, it's difficult to recommend a course of action for you to pursue without knowing more background. Realize that most students entering undergrad performance programs have varying levels of training, which at least for instrumentalists begin at an early age. While the individual background varies considerably, among these experiences will be organized ensemble participation, private coaching or instruction, summer intensive immersion programs, normally with peers of equal or greater ability.</p>

<p>You haven't described your musical background, level of talent, particpation, or training, nor exactly what you think as to where you might want to go in music.</p>

<p>I said earlier that I have neither the knowledge or skills to assess or recommend a vocal program; others here are far more qualified. It may help if you lay out some of the info I've described above.</p>

<p>But realize that there are some common denominators between all music performance disciplines you need to know if you're looking at audition based programs. A great overview is here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-family-s-experience.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>No one has said that classical is not for you. The issue is do you have the current level of training and ability to allow you to compete (with a reasonable chance of success) in prescreening and audition based programs that require classical (or jazz repetoire) as a basis for admissions? Others in the prescreen & audition pools will most likely have had extensive training and a professional assessment regarding their skill level.</p>

<p>Performance based audition admits are not looking for perfection. What is assessed is technique, presentation, musicality, and potential for improvement. </p>

<p>An undergrad program with classical and or jazz training emphasizes proper techniques and training methods that would serve to enhance your abilities across all genres. </p>

<p>Search this forum for posts by lorelei2702, you may find some very helpful info.</p>

<p>I agree with stephmin, as well as srw's suggestion to repost in the music theater forum where there are many knowledgeable posters with a broader range of schools focusing on the non-classical. The posters soozievt, KatMT, and MichaelnKat immediately come to mind, and there are others.</p>

<p>Edit#2: You may want to include U/Denver (Lamont) in the list I posted previously DU</a> | Lamont School of Music | Faculty</p>