Music: Vocal Performance - BM

The Vocal Performance degree at Utah State University provides a robust and comprehensive educational foundation for students wishing to learn artful and healthy techniques of singing in both classical and musical theatre styles. This degree track prepares students for continued graduate study or immediate entrance into the professional world as a voice teacher or performer.

In addition to private voice instruction from exceptional pedagogues, Voice Performance majors at Utah State receive innovative classroom instruction in vocal pedagogy, the languages of classical singing, repertoire, and close mentorship from an experienced and professional faculty as they work towards their goals in personal musical excellence. Annual productions of operas, musicals, and scenes programs provide all students with ample performance opportunities where the invaluable skills of acting and stagecraft are taught by knowledgeable faculty members and guest directors.

Program Specifics

Voice Performance majors take a combination of core music classes to perfect general musicianship and emphasis courses that teach the specific skills singers need to master the art and technique of singing. The students’ training is also supplemented by frequent visiting master artists and guest performers/directors.

The most advanced students have the option of being part of the scholarship-receiving Manon Caine Russell Opera Outreach Quartet, providing these promising students additional performance and leadership opportunities.

Although students come from varying backgrounds with different levels of experience, those that have the most success as Voice Performance majors at Utah State are those that are motivated, dedicated, and involved. They exhibit a passion for communicating through song and typically have had some choral or solo vocal training before coming to college. Strong sight-singing and piano skills are also beneficial for all voice performance majors.

For specific information regarding coursework required to earn a Voice emphasis, please refer to the BM Vocal Performance degree map.

• For more information about Vocal Performance, see the department website.

• All music majors must pass an audition to be admitted.

• Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.

• Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

• The highest math requirement for this degree is the Quantitative Literacy (QL) of the student’s choice.

• New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.

• Music requires a 2.75 GPA overall for admission as a transfer student

• Students must pass an entrance audition on primary instrument.