<p>Let see what I can do…My S is entering his 2nd year as a VP major. Yes, WCC only has voice, piano and organ programs, along with Music Ed., Sacred Music and Composition. The school is very small (I think about 350 undergrad?). They all know one another, so according to S, it can get a little cliquey. </p>
<p>The VP program is incredibly strong. One of S’s friends (grad student) was a finalist in the Met Competition this year. While WCC is known for its choir, it has also produced soloists who are singing with top operas all over the world. Recent MM grads are singing this summer at Santa Fe, Glimmerglass, Opera North, Graz and other well known places. BM voice grads get accepted in top MM programs regularly. </p>
<p>There are a few performance opportunities for undergrads, but they are age and developmentally appropriate. Sophomores and above can audition to be in opera productions, but usually chorus parts until senior year or grad level. I think they have started an undergrad opera program that does mostly scenes (but I don’t have first hand knowledge). Students who are selected for the Westminster Choir get to perform every summer as the opera chorus at the Spoleto Festival in SC. And, of course, there are performance classes, recitals, etc. As a freshman, my S had a short solo at the Lessons and Carols Service (which is amazing and broadcast on public radio) and once at a performance class (for all VP majors from all the studios). He also performed every week at his studio class. S also went to Florence, Italy this summer for a vocal intensive run by the school. He had an opportunity to do some opera scenes and work on new arias. </p>
<p>There are also a few opportunities to do musical theatre, if you’re into that. I think WCC itself does at least one MT production (student run) a year, but you can also audition on the main Rider campus, which has a phenomenal MT program. Transportation can be an issue, as S says the shuttle bus to the main campus takes forever, but this year he’ll have a car, so he’s planning on auditioning. </p>
<p>Downsides? My S (being a city kid) does not like Princeton. It is way too small for him, especially since freshmen weren’t allowed to have cars and were limited on where they could get to on foot. I think this year will be better, as he will have a car. </p>
<p>Don’t go to WCC for the academics. S is in the honors program and he’s says it’s kind of like HS. The topics are interesting (Sexism and Racism in Hip Hop Music) but not really rigorous. And, due to his AP credits, he only has to take 3 non-music gen ed classes total. I’m hoping he’ll choose to take more, but as you can see, he’s not getting a very well rounded education. </p>
<p>But despite a few downsides, S is very happy with the training that he is getting. He turned down a couple more “prestigious” programs to go to WCC, mostly because of his teacher, Chris Arneson. He has also worked a bit with some of the other teachers (Laura Brooks Rice, Sharon Sweet, Elem Eley, Sally Wolf) and says good things about them. </p>
<p>I would suggest a campus visit. They usually allow you to sit in on a freshman choir rehearsal. And try to arrange a sample lesson - they are very nice and accommodating. Good luck!</p>