Welcome to all the students, college professors, and of course, our regular readers! We have a huge issue for our regular readers—76 pages—plus a 48-page pullout section that includes a detailed list of the top ten universities with vocal programs, as well as articles pertaining to incoming, current and past students. We mail this issue to over 600 universities, in addition to our regular subscribers.
We have something else exciting to tell you about: Next spring—in conjunction with the Classical Singer Convention in New York City—Classical Singer will sponsor the first Classical Singer College Fair.
Choosing a school can be the most expensive decision many singers ever make. The letters we received last year about the difficulty many of you are having paying off student debt convinced us that we need to get involved, to help make sure that you have help choosing the best school for you. We want you to be able to see everything you should know about what’s out there.
Potential grad students: No one can visit all 600 schools! Ads in CS and elsewhere provide some information, but you really need to talk to people, and hear and see a huge variety of schools.
The undecideds—You can explore the idea of school with the right people, and get the idea down on paper. Talk to the faculty and see if there is a chance you can fit school around your situation—see if it makes sense.
Teenagers and their parents—We will be inviting high school students and their parents from all over the country to participate in the Classical Singer College Fair, so if you have students who are sophomores, juniors or seniors, you’ll want to let them know about this exciting event. The Fair will feature auditions and workshops for the various participating schools. If you are teaching talented kids, you know the danger of allowing their hopes to soar too high, with visions of dream schools such as Juilliard or Eastman. Here’s a chance to get them excited about other dream schools with great faculties—and most importantly, scholarships.
US News and World Report ranks 10 schools as the top in the nation: USC, Juilliard, University of Michigan, Eastman, Florida State, Curtis, Manhattan, New England Conservatory, Indiana University, and Cincinnati Conservatory. They are great schools—for some singers. I know two vocal majors who had breakdowns during their undergraduate years at one top-ten school. The competition is fierce.
Not every school is for every singer. Some singers really need a slower pace and less competition to flourish and come out on top. It takes time for some to develop the tough skin they are going to need in the pro world. Some toughening just comes with age.
Suppose you’re a late bloomer. You won’t get those coveted lead roles at a top-ten school. You’ll study with grad students—and you’ll probably leave there a very frustrated singer. It’s hard to feel like a budding diva if you feel like a second-class citizen. On the other hand, if you consider one of the lesser-known schools, you may end up with a full scholarship, a terrific teacher, one-on-one help, lead roles, and be treated like a budding star.
At the recent NATS Convention, for example, I ran into Dr. Maryann Kyle, the opera director for Southern Mississippi College, a wonderful nurturing woman who made a college student I had with me suddenly reconsider her college choice. (It didn’t hurt that Plácido Domingo and other opera luminaries were set to visit the campus monthly.) I also heard some incredible singers from Louisiana schools, and discussed technique with Sherri Weiler, a CS writer who will be teaching at Shorter College. [See the article inside the University Section]
None of these schools are listed on US News and World Report’s top ten, which proves my point: There are many schools outside of those top ten where you can get your education and find a teacher who will help you develop as a well-rounded singer. No one is disputing that the top schools turn out winners. They accept the best of the best, and some of our best singers come from these schools—but another school may be the best for you (your student), your circumstances and your finances. So look around and keep an open mind.
We’ll help you do just that come spring.
Enjoy the issue!
If you have a question about this article or anything else, please write to Ms. CJ Williamson, the editor of Classical Singer, at cj@classicalsinger.com or P.O. Box 1710, Draper, UT 84020. Letters can be used as “Letters to the Editor,” or “Name Withheld” if you prefer, or just meant for the staff only. Just let us know.
