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Programs

Voice, Opera, and Vocal Coaching

We are a team of highly accomplished professionals in many areas of voice teaching, vocal coaching and repertoire, language acquisition, acting training, and opera production. Our work gives us immense joy because it is focused solely on the growth and success of our students. We feel that all the work needed to bring a concert, a recital, or a production to a standard of excellence is rewarded in the beauty and compelling communication of our students in various vocal art forms. As a community of artist-educators, we celebrate each other’s students in their artistic achievements. We respect the many types of expertise the faculty and staff bring to each project and the many levels of students we serve. Our department strives to become ever more aware of the impact of structural racial injustice, and we continually revise our policies and procedures to provide an inclusive, safe, and equitable environment for all our students.

Information about faculty and research can be found on the Voice, Opera, and Vocal Coaching website.

AdmissionsLink to section

Applying to Master's ProgramsLink to section

Application requirements:

  • Online application
  • A personal statement
  • A resume or CV
  • A prescreening and audition
  • Three recommendation letters

Applying to Doctoral ProgramsLink to section

Application requirements:

  • Online application
  • A personal statement
  • A resume or CV
  • A sample writing of a past research paper and/or previously published article or submission
  • A prescreening and audition
  • Three recommendation letters

See https://www.esm.rochester.edu/admissions/grad/ for the most up-to-date application/audition and prescreening requirements.

AcademicsLink to section

Master's Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Master of Music degree is a two-year program with strong emphasis on applied instrumental or vocal study and performance as well as broad intellectual development. Prerequisites include demonstrated proficiency on the major instrument or voice and an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent. Core requirements include 16 units of applied instruction, three music history courses, a theory course, ensembles, and electives, and a degree recital. Voice majors must also demonstrate foreign language proficiency and take courses in voice repertoire. In addition, the department puts up at least three main-stage productions each year. For the most up-to-date course requirements, see https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/06-00/#06.02.11.

Doctoral Degrees and RequirementsLink to section

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree is designed to represent high attainment in the practice of music. Prerequisites include demonstration of high achievement in performance through an audition, and demonstration of writing ability through submission of a scholarly paper and academic credentials, including transcripts of all previous collegiate-level coursework. The coursework for the degree is typically completed over six semesters (three years), followed by the doctoral comprehensive exam. Core coursework generally includes six semesters of lessons, four doctoral seminars, three theory courses, and a minor or electives. In addition, there are two performance recitals and a lecture-recital. Voice majors must also enroll in a choral ensemble for one semester, perform a jury, and demonstrate language proficiency. The degree culminates in the comprehensive exam: a two-day written exam covering music history and theory, and a final oral exam centered around the student’s major instrument and its repertoire, pedagogy, and organology. For the most up-to-date requirements, see https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/06-00/#06.03.14.

Graduate Course TitlesLink to section

  • OP 401-402: Seminar in Opera Stage Directing
  • OP 410: Opera Production: Stage Management
  • OP 416: Advanced Opera Seminar
  • OP 430: Opera Theatre Practicum
  • OP 432: Opera Theatre Scenes Practicum
  • OP 490: Opera Director Project – Independent Study
  • VCE 460A: Primary Voice VCE 430A. Primary Voice (1/2 time) VCC 400. Vocal Coaching VCC 402. Voice Repertoire for the Pianist
  • VCC 431-432: Voice Repertoire (Master’s) OP 430. Opera Theatre Practicum
  • OP 432: Opera Theatre Scenes Practicum

Many courses for this program are housed in other departments, such as musicology and music theory. For a more comprehensive list of requirements, visit: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/.