Academic and Performance Areas
Vocal Arts
Area
About
the Program | Faculty | Graduates | Performance
Opportunities
Degree Requirements | Links
The vocal
arts area at the Michigan State University College of
Music is committed to the highest standard of excellence
across the various disciplines: performance, music education,
and music therapy. The area offers performance opportunities
for all voice students, regardless of their degree program.
Each member
of the vocal arts faculty is an active performer and
specialist in his/her own particular performance medium,
allowing every student to receive professional training
in all aspects of the discipline: art song, oratorio,
opera, musical theater, new music, diction, vocal pedagogy,
and teaching methods. The small size of the program
and classes ensures the individualized attention needed
for highest level of success.
Opera at the College of Music
Choral Ensembles at the College of Music
About the Program
- Four graduate assistantships are available to students who
qualify.
- Numerous scholarships are available to students who qualify.
- Students perform repertoire for the entire voice area in a
weekly Voice Recital Hour.
- Each faculty member holds individual studio classes for their
students to perform.
- Students perform frequently in both degree-required recitals
and non-degree recitals.
- Students are eligible to audition for various solos in the
choral ensembles.
- Students should check the opera link for specific opera
opportunities as well.
- There are approximately 65-75 voice majors.
- Student/Faculty ratio is approximately 12-1.
Faculty
David Rayl, Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Arts Area Chair
Molly Fillmore, Mezzo-Soprano, Assistant Professor of Voice
Richard Fracker, Tenor, Assistant Professor of Voice
Melanie Helton, Soprano, Assistant Professor of Voice/Director of Opera Theater
Harlan Jennings, Baritone, Associate Professor of Voice
Anne Nispel, Soprano, Assistant Professor of Voice
Margaret Brand, Instructor of Voice
Marie-France Lefebvre, Assistant Professor of Piano
Graduates of the Program
MSU vocal arts graduates have gone on to sing leading
roles at major American and European opera houses, on
Broadway, and have appeared as soloists with many of
America's prominent symphony orchestras and choral societies.
They have been represented by management, produced recordings,
and been recipients of numerous competitive awards.
Many of our undergraduate alumni
have gone on to other prominent graduate school programs
or been placed in public school teaching positions.
Our Master's of Music and Doctoral of Musical Arts alumni
have been placed in tenure-track teaching positions
at colleges and universities across the United States.
Some recent placements include University of Michigan,
Florida Grand Opera Chorus, and Opera in the Ozarks.
Performance
Opportunities
Opera
Oratorio
Chamber Music
Recitals
Solo work with the choral ensembles
Vocal jazz
Various campus acapella groups
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Music
Master of Music
Doctoral of Musical Arts Links
Purchase Music
Michigan School Vocal
Music Association (MSVMA)
College Music Society
The Classical
Singer
Opera America
Musical
America
Opera News
National Association of
Teachers of Singing (NATS) |
