<p>If I Could Get In:
1.Juilliard School
2.Curtis Institute of Music</p>
<p>Current Top 5
3.University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
4.University of Maryland
5.Oberlin College
6.Cincinnati College-Conservatory
7.New England Conservatory (Tufts)</p>
<p>Other
8.Lawrence University
9.Rice University
10.University of North Texas
11.Peabody at Johns Hopkins
12.McGill University</p>
<p>Let me explain some things for those who didn't see or forgot my last post. One of the things you're probably wondering is why Rice is not on my top 5. Well it would be but I would have to take more standardized tests, and Houston is very far from any family. The only reason NEC is top 5 is because of Jim McDonald who is a friend of my voice teacher. </p>
<p>I would like more info on Lawrence and McGill. Is McGill or Lawrence a choir school, because thats not what I want? Any info on either school is appreciated!</p>
<p>Also, does UNT have a strong classical voice program? Or just Jazz?</p>
<p>Although I live somewhat close to Denton and our high school has a strong vocal program, I can't think of any vocalists from here who go there for voice. Most of our top singers who are majoring in vocal performance or music theater are attending Oklahoma City University or Mary Hardin Baylor (because there are voice professors there who used to live here.) I highly recommend OCU for classical voice. I don't know about jazz.</p>
<p>I don't think much of UNT for classical voice. D wasn't impressed with Lawrence, although many others have been quite satisfied with it. Michigan has a much stronger vocal program. The NEC/Tufts program isn't very workable- sounds good in theory, but doesn't work out for many people in practice. What about Indiana? D (senior at Rice) is currently very high on Oberlin and is recommending it to high school kids.</p>
<p>hey Kevin, we are applying to alot of the same schools for voice! Bass, baritone, tenor? Keep me posted on how your process is going....I'm almost finished applying and putting together prescreenings....it is a great feeling! I wonder if we are trying to schedule any auditions that might be at the same time? Take care,
Patrick</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! I've heard good things about OCU. I might have to research that one some more. Any thoughts? Ah, I knew it! UNT is one of the best Jazz programs but not really classical. Thanks!
MomofWildChild- what didn't your D like about Lawrence? Is NEC itself a good musical education? I've heard Indiana is a better Grad school. Right? LOL, I don’t know any more.
Patrick- Actually I'm a junior this year! I’m starting early to make sure I have everything in line when I get to audition next year! What other schools are you applying to? I'm a tenor.</p>
<p>NOTE: You must apply to Tufts and NEC seperately and be accepted seperately to get into the dual-degree program. It is highly-selective.</p>
<p>And if you're asking if NEC is a good musical education -- the only two schools that have dual-degree programs with it are Harvard and Tufts, arguably the best schools in the Boston area.</p>
<p>I'm applying to Northwestern University, Oberlin College+Conservatory, Indiana University, University of Cincinnati, University of Michigan and Juilliard. I'm trying to find a "safety" school to audition and apply to, but there really aren't that many or easily spotted "safety" music schools. Good luck! Talk to you soon.
-Patrick</p>
<p>For the male vocal undergraduate applicants: keep in mind that the premiere music schools, especially those with large graduate programs, are very difficult admits. The voice faculties know that male voices mature slowly, it is hard to predict what the voice will be, and more opportunities are available in smaller, regional schools. It is not an idictment of talent, but rather an unnecessary risk for the the school. You have the best shot at an undergraduate institution (like Oberlin), but the academics there (and at Michigan) are potential barriers (if your test scores and grades are not excellent, too). Good luck!</p>
<p>My D is now a junior in Lawrence's 5 year double-degree program - both vocal performance and Art History. She researched both colleges and conservatories before applying but ultimately decided she wanted a liberal arts education as well as the B.M. degree. It finally came down to deciding between Oberlin and Lawrence. She was not comfortable with the overall (social) environment at Oberlin and felt there was not a great rapport/connection between the college and the conservatory re: double degree. At Lawrence, the double degree is supported by both the college and conservatory -- both are integrated well (and easily) via two advisors and curriculum. She had a couple of lessons with teachers there before she made her final decision and has been very happy with her choice. It is definitely not a choir college (I would put St. Olaf in that category). There is an ensemble requirement for the B.M. degree but it can be fulfilled by 3 different choirs, madigal singers, jazz singers, collegium musicum, etc.. There are plenty of performance opportunities and the environment in both the college and conservatory is very supportive. I would emphasize in your college/conservatory searches that the teacher is of top priority. Try to visit each place and have a sample lesson. Like many others on this forum, IMO a conservatory is a 'trade school' -- i.e. if music/voice is your one and only passion -- a conservatory is the place for you. If you want/need a broader education, a college/conservatory or a college with an excellent music department/teacher is the place for you.</p>
<p>Would agree with sopransomom that Lawrence is not a "choir school" -- their ensembles are excellent and were a draw for D who is a freshman vocal performance major. But she chose Lawrence based on the quality of the conservatory program/faculty, the overall atmosphere (supportive and colleagial) and their commitment to a broad education (both music and liberal arts). As sopranosmom and others note -- the fit and match of the teacher is very important. D is beyond thrilled with her choice of Lawrence. Please feel free to PM if you have specific questions. Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>McGill is called the Harvard of Canada - definitely not a music safety nor is it in anyway a choir college! It has a wonderful vocal performance program - two of my D's friends are there now and love it.</p>
<p>My D is applying to some of the same schools as you.</p>
<p>I don't mean to detract from Lawrence. It just didn't appeal to my daughter. She wanted a stronger academic environment and didn't like the location of Lawrence. It also felt too small to her. She loved the teacher (I forget her name) with whom she had a lesson on her visit. I thought the people we met from Lawrence at the Interlochen college fair her junior year were wonderful. They were helpful, encouraging and positive. In contrast, the admissions person from Eastman was terrifying. She intimidated the kids AND the parents. Must have been a bad day.. :)</p>
<p>Indiana definitely favors it's grad students, but the undergrad program is still excellent. D tells me there are some amazing grad students (vocalists) at Rice who came from Webster in St. Louis! There are lots of hidden gems out there.</p>
<p>hey. i'm an american baritone currently a vocal performance major at mcgill. </p>
<p>the Schulich School of Music at McGill University is Canada's leading music school. just to highlight the voice/opera program: we have around 4-6 operatic productions a year. This year we are performing Mozart's BASTIEN UND BASTIENNE; Quesnel's COLAS ET COLINETTE; Purcell's DIDO AND AENEAS; Ravel's L'ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES; Puccini's GIANNI SCHICCHI; Barber's VANESSA; Offenbach's LA VIE PARISIENNE; and Bizet's CARMEN (in a concert staging). Our program is the only program in North America that consistently stages a baroque opera each year in addition to it's regular repertoire. Our operas are accompanied by the McGill Symphony Orchestra and the McGill Chamber Orchestra, and we have an annual black-box festival each spring to highlight small-scale studio productions. We have weekly masterclasses with various members of the profession, in recent weeks this has included Daniel Taylor, Denise Masse, and Bernard Lambadie. Our vocal faculty is quite diverse, made up of renowned pedagogues and performers. The voice program is around 120 students (including undergrad/graduate/artist diploma/licentiate/doctoral). In addition to the very strong opera program we have, we also have a fantastic early music voice program and art/solo song program. I highly recommend you check out what McGill has to offer- I accepted McGill over offers from Manhattan, Northwestern, Oberlin, and BU, it's an amazing program located at a superb university and a thriving cultural city!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, rideltrain! Weekly masterclasses are impressive! My D hasn't delved enough into reading all her college viewbooks...how frequent is private voice and vocal coaching? We are looking to possibly come up to the Thanskgiving Break Open House at Schulich. Glad you are so happy with your college choice!</p>
<p>Most good music programs have weekly studio classes, bimonthly divisional recitals and classes, and weekly music recital hours, all on top of required concert/recital attendance. Those located closer to metropolitan centers will have more guest presentations. Check what the offerings have been in university and community artist series...most of the soloists do a local master class.</p>
<p>Weekly? Wow thats pretty impressive. I wish McGill wasn't so far away so it'd be eaiser to visit! Right now after looking at OCU i really like them so they are on the list in place of UNT. Any personal experience with OCU anyone? I've also heard Indiana is a factory. While I'm not quite sure what this means, people make it like a bad thing.</p>
<p>Indiana takes alot of singers into their program - they are very large. That's why people call it "a singer mill" or a factory. That doesn't mean you can't get a fabulous education there. Their facilities are unbelievable! I do hear the happiest people come out of their graduate program though. Keep researching!</p>
<p>Indiana is great, but I would recommend it more for graduate work than undergrad (if you're looking for attention and performance opportunities that is)</p>
<p>Indiana is great, but I would recommend it more for graduate work than undergrad (if you're looking for attention and performance opportunities that is)</p>
<p>Glad to hear you are considering Oklahoma City University. Our renowned vocal performance degree combines legit vocal training and performance experience. Two of our better known alumni, Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara, both have vocal performance degrees and Tony Award and nominations as proof of OCU's training. And..let's not forget Met legend Leona Mitchell.</p>
<p>OCU will present Andre Previn's "Streetcar Named Desire" in February 2007, one of only a few schools award the rights to this demanding opera.</p>
<p>The next audition round is in February. You can visit <a href="http://www.okc.edu/music%5B/url%5D">www.okc.edu/music</a> for information. If you have questions, please contact Mary Mowry, OCU Bass School of Music Coordinator, at 1-800-633-7242 extension 5410.</p>