About the Vocal Arts Area

Small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 ensure that all vocal arts students receive the individualized attention needed for success at the highest level. Every faculty member in the vocal arts area is an active performer and specialist in a particular performance medium. Because of that, students receive professional training across a variety of fields, including art song, oratorio, opera, musical theater, new music, diction, vocal pedagogy, and teaching methods.

Faculty members hold their own studio classes, while students perform repertoire for the entire vocal arts area in a weekly voice recital hour. Students perform degree-required recitals and non-degree recitals, and may audition for solos in choral ensembles or roles in MSU Opera Theatre Productions. Students may also develop their skills through MSU jazz ensembles, the new music ensemble Musique 21, and symphony and concert orchestras.

The MSU-China Vocal Collaboration gives voice students the opportunity to collaborate with choral students, artists and producers from China in an intense three-week experience that involves international music performance, travel and culture.

All successful applicants are automatically considered for competitive merit-based music scholarship. Graduate applicants are eligible for graduate assistantship positions in vocal arts as well as fellowships and scholarships, and no supplemental application is required to be considered.