<p>OK, let me rephrase the original question in light of a specific case. I'm not asking about "prestige" here - I'm asking about whether there is a particular value added in having participated in the resources of certain highly-regarded voice programs as opposed to others.</p>
<p>Several of the posters on this thread are suggesting that the one-on-one relationship with a very capable teacher is more important than the university department in which the teacher is employed or even whether the teacher is employed in a campus setting. Given this, verbage such as the following from Indiana University's Voice Dept. website is hard to understand:</p>
<p>"With 20 full-time faculty members, the IU School of Music Department of Voice is the largest voice department in any university school of music. It has consistently been ranked as the top voice department in the country. . . The emphasis is on a high level of performance and preparation for a professional singing career, and graduates of the program are known worldwide for the quality of their training. IU recently had four grand prize winners in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in three years. Many graduates enjoy careers with professional opera companies, and IU alumni can be heard on operatic stages from the Met to La Scala . . . In a newly arranged showcase, 30 opera companies are sending representatives to hear IU voice students perform on campus during the 2004 fall semester."</p>
<p>IU is clearly claiming that there is a tangible advantage to studying in their program. It seems to me that the above paragraphs suggest that if a student was studying with Prof. X at IU and Prof. X were to leave IU, the student's education in Voice would be diminished for the lack of association with their top-ranked department even if the teacher remained the same. Is this just empty marketing on the part of the university or do the resources of certain top programs truly make a difference?</p>