To have a job in opera after college, what should I major in? What are the top 10 schools for that major?

Question

I'm going to be a senior in high school this year and I have to choose what colleges to audition for. I want to be an opera singer someday, but I'm not sure what major is best. Vocal performance? I'm also not sure what college are best for that? I definitely don't want to go to a community college. Also, what's better: a university or a conservatory? I'm completely lost.

Answer 1

Vocal performance and/or opera.  You should definately check out Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. It is one of the best in the country.

Answer 2

Have you taken any voice lessons so far?   If so, your voice teacher would be a good source for this kind of information.  Doesn't your school have a guidance counsellor?   It's his or her job to help you sort out questions like this.   If you expect to sing opera, you  must concentrate heavily on vocal performance.  A specialized music school would be your best choice, but if you haven't already started training your voice by now, I'm afraid your chances of getting into such a program are not very good.

Answer 3

First of all, you need to decide if you want a liberal arts education or a specific program heavily weighted toward music.  If you want liberal arts, go to a State University with a strong music department, and a voice teacher that you identify with (write them, call them, but have a dialogue somehow).  BA or BM in vocal performance is the degree you want.  Also, look at 4 year liberal arts colleges like Saint Olaf in Minnesota.  I know many successful singers to come from there.

If you really want to specialize in voice go to a conservatory such as Cincinnati Conservatory, Academy of Vocal Arts, Julliard, New England Conservatory, etc.  However, make absolutely sure that you will have opportunities to perform and be involved in the opera program (probably chorus, but you'll learn).  Some of these big music schools only allow a few undergrads to be involved in opera beyond a classroom experience.  

Also, check out some private universities and colleges that have very strong music programs like Boston University.  Sharon Daniels is a great teacher at BU.

Good Luck and I hope you have a marvelous experience!

Answer 4

I know best, the schools in the Northeast.  Boston U has already been mentioned - my MM is from there, but is in Music Theory.  yes, there are fine vocal teachers there, and of course, being in a big city, there is an active opera scene.  I ALWAYS tell my students that if you are going to major in performance, go to a college in a big city where your teachers are IN the orchestra, opera company, etc.  Yes, there are good school in the middle of noplace ( like Ithaca) but the *opportunities* are in the cities.  That said - Hartt School has a great musical theater and opera program - but it is in Hartford - the only good thing about THAT is that it is between NY and Boston.  I have 2 undergrad degrees from Hartt - Music Ed and Theory.  OK - back to Boston - New England, Boston Conservatory.  NY? - Juilliard, Manhattan (SERIOUSLY check out Manhattan!) maybe Mannes (?) and of course NYU has a huge theatrical department.

Philadelphia - Temple U (My son and his wife - both singers - have degrees from there).  Curtis.  Academy of Vocal Arts. University of the Arts.

There are SOME (I am wrinkling my nose here . . ) state schools that are very good for opera - SUNY {Purchase (outside NYC).  The other state schools in the Northeast - i am scratching my head for a good vocal/opera program to touch those already listed.  

I wish you much luck - you sound decently-prepared  (and congrats on the NATS thing!)  There will be other people who know what else is going on in the US - but I only know what I know.  I have  nephew who is currently at Syracuse U studying opera - but that is to  mollify his parents, who are SURE that he should change his major to something more practical -so that is NOT the best choice of opera schools, but a compromise.

There are several good online college research tools - you put in your major, your desired locations, etc.  Too bad that you cannot get better help from your teachers and counselors - even your private teacher.  Just do not believe those people that write in and say "I went to Okeefenokee School of Agriculture and Music, and it is JUST AS GOOD as Juilliard!"  Loyalty is wonderful - but hardly ever accurate.

Answer 5

I am a voice teacher at a major university. What is most important is that you find a good voice teacher. There are lots of good programs, especially at the undergraduate level.

If you want, send me an e-mail (this name @ yahoo.com) or check out the "New Forum for Classical Singers":

http://www.nfcs.net

Good luck!