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What are Voice and Opera Specialties?

Voice and Opera is a field of study focused on understanding and cultivating an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work of art.  In a traditional opera, performers use two types of singing: a melodic style known as arias and a speech-inflected style called recitative.

Opera incorporates many of the same types of elements found in a theatre such as acting, costumes, dance, singing, scenery often accompanied by an orchestra or similar ensemble.  In short, a voice and opera degree program prepares students to understand and control the human voice within the context of performing arts as a solo artist or as a member of a cast.  Essential learning objectives of voice and opera include the mastery of diction, expressive movement, voice pedagogy, recital, repertoire, and vocal physiology.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$71,883

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

48.44%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

40,110

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Voice and Opera Degree

The Juilliard School's Vocal Arts degree is a comprehensive curriculum designed to the needs of the 21st-century singer. They are trained to not only sing but act, dance, analyze text, take on roles with significant physical demands, and interact with different people. Their faculty encourages students to progress at their own pace through weekly coaching sessions. With various opportunities to perform on the opera and concert stage at the school, Lincoln Center, and New York City. 

Acceptance Rate

6.88

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Northwestern University's Voice and Opera degree program has a strong and long illustrious history in the field. Their faculty offer students a variety of courses that promote a solid technical and pedagogical foundation. Students receive weekly vocal instruction and have access to a number of performing opportunities including opera workshops, vocal solo classes, masterclasses, studio classes, and recitals. The institution offers a number of special programs. Undergraduates may pursue dual degrees or double majors or an ad hoc (self-designed) major.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Rice University's Shepherd School of Music is home to one of the leading programs for vocal study degrees in the United States. The program is designed to give the greatest benefit to those students enrolled. Their faculty's many combined years of performing and teaching provide students a real advantage toward becoming professional musicians. The graduates currently populate the major young artist and summer programs, providing additional evidence of a program that is committed to training the musicians of the future.

Acceptance Rate

8.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Vanderbilt University's Voice Department offers three undergraduate programs in the field. Specializes in instruction in applied voice, vocal literature, chamber music, lyric diction, vocal pedagogy, and performing practice and style. Offering a comprehensive opera training course, producing fully staged productions with orchestra and instruction in acting, stage combat, improvisation, and the Alexander Technique. The institution is home to the Mary Cortner Ragland Trust, which brought world-renowned artists, teachers, and coaches to the school.

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The University of Southern California's Vocal Arts & Opera degree is internationally recognized for its long tradition of excellence in vocal and operatic training. Their alumni have been named finalists and winners of prestigious competitions, and many currently work as a recitalist, members of opera companies, professional choruses, and voice faculties, in the country and abroad. The program is an integral part of the Vocal Arts department, providing career development opportunities for singers, coaches, pianists, conductors, and directors. The opera workshop is a repertory experience involving preparation and performance of operatic works and excerpts for performance both on and off the campus.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Carnegie Mellon University's Vocal Performance major program prepares singers for professional careers in opera and the concert stage. Students study the classical bel canto technique with an emphasis on vocal health. Four semesters of acting and dance enhance their performance skills. They also study Italian, French, and German as well as English language diction to widen their knowledge.       

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

New York University's BM, Vocal Performance: Classical Voice major program is structured to accomplished young singers who seek to fully integrate the study of voice with the study of acting. Students work with experienced faculty in private lessons, studio and workshops classes, lectures, and masterclasses. They have the opportunity to perform in fully staged productions as they prepare them for a career in opera and recitals and on the concert stage. They have a complete range of liberal arts courses, including introductory study of the humanities, social sciences, science, and quantitative reasoning.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Bucknell University's Voice Lab degree program offers a variety of training in every performance genre. Providing a wide range of opportunities for their students. Their students have been selected as finalists in the National Opera Association Collegiate Scenes Competition. Undergraduate students present one fully staged and costumed opera/musical with orchestra every year in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts.

Acceptance Rate

34.23

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Rochester's Voice, Opera, & Vocal Coaching program offers an environment of excellence in which the healthiest development of the vocal artist can be achieved. Their performances include full productions with orchestra, as well as opera scenes. Private lessons and solo and chamber music coaching provide students grounding in the world's great vocal literature. The program provides relevant information for the singer and pedagogical techniques for the aspiring teacher.

Acceptance Rate

29.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Manhattan School of Music programs of study for voice majors is structured to develop skilled performers in all areas of vocal techniques and to offer great opportunities to perform. Voice students in the institution achieve a high degree of professional competence and learn appropriate stylistic approaches to the vocal literature of various historical periods. There are two areas of voice study in the voice program a Classical and Opera Theatre. The newest performance opportunities have included collaborations with various organizations.

Acceptance Rate

35.54

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

The University of Miami's School of Music Vocal Performance is for students who have a passion and evident talent for singing. Private voice lessons, vocal coaching, diction, and language study are important components of the degree program. Vocal performance majors have numerous opportunities to expand their knowledge of choral literature and styles in one of their outstanding choral ensembles. Undergraduates are often cast in principal supporting roles in the Frost Opera Theater productions.

Acceptance Rate

27.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Florida State University's College of Music provides singers, directors, and coaches with comprehensive training to equip them up for success in the future. Singers who graduate from their program are performing in opera houses and professional choral ensembles throughout the world. Directors and pianist-coaches from their graduate opera programs are also working at every level of the professional opera world. Their goal is to equip students with all of the skills and artistry necessary for success in today's professional arena.        

Acceptance Rate

35.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

Syracuse University's Bachelor of Music degree program prepares students in a variety of genres and styles. The study includes work in principal and secondary performing areas, music history, and various ensembles. In selecting electives, students strengthen other necessary skills. Voice Students, for instance, benefit from studying languages. During their junior and senior years, students present solo recitals.

Acceptance Rate

44.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

New England Conservatory's Voice and Opera degree program provide cutting edge voice science and pedagogy in their Voice and Sound Analysis Laboratory. They aim to prepare the 21st-century artist for the rigorous demands of a professional career in music. They receive thorough technical training in-studio lessons with their renowned voice faculty. Opera Studies faculty offer a comprehensive program for the aspiring singer-actor, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. 

Acceptance Rate

36.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Trinity University has a robust Department of Music offers private lessons in the field. Lessons are taught by both full-time and part-time faculty. Some areas of study feature opportunities to perform at on and off-campus events. Students have full use of all practice facilities, including practice organs by Hofmann, Holtkamp, and Visser. Graduates have opportunities for employment and internships in local churches.     

Acceptance Rate

28.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Texas Christian University's School of Music is a nationally recognized, award-winning institution that offers distinguished faculty and a talented student body of 325+ majors and hundreds of non-majors. It is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. TCU offers professional training for performers, teachers, and composers, plus a broad array of undergraduate courses for non-music majors. The institution is committed to the expansion and generation of new music, evidenced by recent commissions and premiered.

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Southern Methodist University offers a Master of Music in Performance. The program prepares students to pursue a career in performance or to undertake further studies at the doctoral level. Students applying to the course are required to perform an audition on their principal instruments as outlined in the Required Graduate Audition Repertoire from their website. Every graduate voice major are expected to have English, French, Italian, and German diction courses on their undergraduate transcripts.

Acceptance Rate

47.29

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Curtis Institute of Music's Vocal Studies major integrates new students into the full musical life of the school from the moment they arrive. Students have the opportunity to work alongside distinguished artist-faculty members. The institution aims to educate and train musicians for 21st-century careers as performers on the highest professional level. Applicants who are admitted enter the Bachelor of Music program in voice, the Master of Music program in opera, or the diploma program.

Acceptance Rate

3.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

2:1

The University of Washington's School of Music is dedicated to creating an environment of educational and artistic excellence in its faculty and students by cultivating creativity, academic discovery, and a wide range of diverse cultures. They deeply value innovation, which requires space for exploration, experimentation, and the development of an inventive spirit. Challenging students and faculty to approach their art and disciplines with new ideas. Completing the program requires great discipline, a willingness to take an artistic risk, and a persistent desire to make a difference.

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The University of Tulsa's Opera Theatre degree explores different genres of operettas, having performed Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, as well as a zarzuela. The program teaches students how to communicate an onstage character in a vocal setting, but also challenges students in their own musical development. They invite different classes to inspire students in pursuing the field. They are open to all full-time undergraduate students.

Acceptance Rate

35.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's degree in Vocal performance is dedicated to providing quality instruction and training to its students. Their faculty is comprised of expert teachers, each has enjoyed a distinguished performing career, they share their expertise not only in the performance of opera, operetta, choral/oratorio, musical theatre but also in art song, knowledge, and appreciation. There are annual performing opportunities for students include three fully-staged productions. The program has produced signers who have attained international acclaim and others who are presently enjoying important performing careers around the world.

Acceptance Rate

59.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Chapman University's Bachelor of Music-Vocal Performance degree program is an intensive performance degree that focuses on classical vocal training. Vocal majors take a minimum of a one-hour private voice lesson each week plus a master class within their voice studio weekly or bi-weekly. Students are also required to take acting and dance classes within the College of Performing Arts. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to perform solos and roles in numerous concerts and operas productions.

Acceptance Rate

55.65

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Illinois Wesleyan University's Opera major has been recognized as a fertile training ground for individuals who are deeply serious about the program. They commit faculty resources and financial support to help the performance major interested in the Musical Stage. Their opera workshops offer a laboratory experience where students receive the basic stage training through their academic/performance experiences through musical excerpts and scenes. Students have the opportunity to select independent study projects in opera, which may include serving as assistant conductors, or presenting a program or short scenes.

Acceptance Rate

60.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Bennington College's Music program is dedicated to helping students grow in their ability to do creative work in performance and composition. their faculty is comprised of active professional musicians and composers representing a rare diversity of musical traditions. Courses in the institution range from ensembles classes in Filipino kulintang, North American traditional music, and percussion music from the African diaspora, just to name a few. Students are guided by a principle that technique, theory, and scholarship should be pursued in tandem with the immediate experience of making.

Acceptance Rate

60.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Temple University's Voice and Opera degree program is provided with high-quality training and instruction. Each singer studies and understands vocal development, diction, and language, musical styles, and vocal technique in order to achieve polished ease in performance. Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the program to individuals with the right qualifications. Students have the opportunity to hone their performance skills with the instrument of their choice.

Acceptance Rate

60.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Top Voice and Opera Degrees

Degree programs in voice and opera can be found from a number of top ranked colleges and universities. Programs may be direct or indirect pathways. More specifically, a direct degree program is designed specifically for opera and voice while indirect degrees teach the transferrable skills and knowledge needed to continue in that learning domain. Indirect programs may be found in a course catalog as music performance, music composition, music theory, musicology, and performing arts.

Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available from accredited colleges and universities across the nation. Voice and opera degree levels include an Associate of Arts (AA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) to a Maser of Arts (MA) and a PhD tracks. The undergraduate programs will contain general education courses such as philosophy, history, math, English composition, psychology, and economics. Core classes in voice will vary from school to school but will generally include courses such as:

  • Musicianship
  • Chamber Choir
  • Fundamentals for the Singing Actor
  • Vocal Pedagogy
  • Chorus
  • Music History
  • Music Recitals
  • Vocal Performance
  • Finance for Musicians
  • Basic Phonetics
  • Advanced Auditions
  • Vocal Physiology

Top colleges offering voice programs focus on developing students in a holistic fashion. This philosophy goes beyond the traditional focus of just improving your voice. Colleges understand each student is unique. Developing vocally is part of your overall intellectual, professional, and artistic growth. Graduates from both graduate and undergraduate programs will possess the knowledge and skills to launch a career in a variety of artistic sectors.

Skills & Abilities Required for Voice Majors

  1. Active Listening
  2. Writing
  3. Speech Clarity
  4. Oral Expression
  5. Speaking
  6. Instructing
  7. Reading Comprehension
  8. Oral Comprehension
  9. Speech Recognition
  10. Written Comprehension
Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Information & Operatic Specializations

For students that earn a college degree in Voice and Opera, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue. The options range from musician, singer, actor, teacher, choreographer, music director, music composer, director, and producer to name a few possible career tracks.

Students serious about this field of study can perform research outside academia with organizations such as the National Opera Center of America (NOCA). Local and regional opera may also appeal to students with examples like Abilene Opera Association AOA, Virginia Opera (VO), or Sarasota Opera (SO).

Career Outlook Opera & Voice

The job growth in the greater Voice and Opera domain are well above average. For example, the rate of job growth for actor is expected to rise 10% through 2024 and high school teachers a 7% growth rate is expected during the same period. Given the broad nature of the Voice and Opera degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location. Related fields include teaching, curriculum design, research, singer, actor, musician, choreographer, music director, theater design, music composer, and music producer.

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