Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance
Lawrence Township, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 37,700 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Rider practices rolling admissions
** additional fees may apply
Introduction
Establish your vocal technique and gain a thorough understanding of the singing voice, literature and pedagogy in Westminster’s vocal performance program. You’ll train with esteemed faculty to increase your understanding of musical structure and form, expand your vocal and performance skills and prepare to meet the demands of solo and ensemble singing.
The voice performance program seeks to develop the musician by establishing a sound vocal technique and a thorough understanding of the singing voice, its literature, and pedagogy. These tools are essential for the study and performance of vocal and choral literature and for training students as solo performers, professional teachers or choral conductors.
Students will build and demonstrate a healthy vocal technique, become acquainted with voice literature, and develop an understanding of the complex relationships between music and poetry. They will also learn how to sing with correct diction in English, Italian, French, and German, as well as to understand both the general meaning and specific nuances of their sung texts.
As they progress in the program, students will integrate musicianship skills and use their increasing understanding of musical structure and form to communicate musically, with stylistic and textual understanding. Students will also build vocal and performance skills that equip them for the demands of solo and ensemble singing.
Program highlights
Expand your knowledge and expertise with private vocal training, weekly studio and performance classes, master classes, skill-based performance classes, and the Presser Voice Laboratory.
Opportunities:
- Private vocal training - All voice performance students have weekly private lessons and receive individual coaching and study diction
- Weekly studio and performance classes - Gain new perspectives, artistic growth, and frequent performance opportunities through participation in our weekly studio and performance classes.
- Presser Voice Laboratory - Benefit from Westminster’s Presser Voice Laboratory and Resource Center which utilizes state-of-the-art technology to support artist development by enabling students to explore, understand and research the human voice.
- MasterClasses - Gain new perspectives and artistic growth through participation in masterclasses with leading artists
- Skills-Based Performance Classes - Performance skill-building courses are available for both Undergraduates and Graduates including Movement for the Performer, Singing Actor, Performing in Lyric Theater, Opera Workshop, and private vocal and dramatic coaching.
Develop your authentic voice
Westminster’s vibrant arts community is brimming with opportunities to hone and showcase your talents. Perform with leading orchestras and gain valuable professional training at the highest level as a member of the Westminster Symphonic Choir.
Broaden your experience through participation in the Westminster Opera Workshop, or by performing in one of Westminster’s auditioned ensembles, student-managed productions or our annual Art Song Festival.
Westminster students also have the opportunity to take part annually in competitions sponsored by organizations such as the National Association of Teachers of Singing where our students frequently receive top awards.
Curriculum
Every undergraduate must satisfy departmental requirements for graduation. Juries and other tests are conducted periodically for the purpose of evaluating progress; details may be obtained from the Voice Department.
Instruction for voice performance majors entails private lessons, recitals, diction, voice literature, performance/opera classes, and voice pedagogy. Weekly studio and performance classes offer regular performing opportunities. Two fully-staged operas, one with orchestra, are presented each year, along with an additional undergraduate-only opera offering. Private vocal coaching is available for upperclassmen and graduate students.
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
Year 1
Fall Semester
- CR 109 Chapel Choir
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- PI 103 Piano Secondary I
- VC 114 Introduction to Lyric Diction
- TH 141 Musicianship I
- ITA 100 Italian I
- CMP 120 Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric
Spring Semester
- CR 109 Chapel Choir
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- PI 104 Piano Secondary II
- VC 118 Italian Diction
- TH 142 Musicianship II
- ITA 101 Italian II
- VC 191 Movement for the Performer
- Literature or Philosophy Elective
Year 2
Fall Semester
- CR 209 Schola Cantorum
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- PI 203 Piano Secondary III
- TH 241 Musicianship III
- FRE 100 French I
or GER 100 German I - MH 247 Music Historiography I
- VC 291 The Singing Actor
Spring Semester
- CR 209 Schola Cantorum
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- PI 205 Piano Secondary VCPER
- VC 119 French Diction
or VC 120 German Diction - MH 248 Music Historiography II
- FRE 101 French II
or GER 101 German II - Theory Level I Elective
Year 3
Fall Semester
- CR 509 Symphonic Choir
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- CR 215 Fundamentals of Conducting
- MH 345 Music Since 1900
- VC 591 Performing in Lyric Theater
- GER 100 German I
- or FRE 100 French I
- Theory Level II Elective
Spring Semester
- CR 509 Symphonic Choir
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- MH 433 Seminar in Music History
- VC 408 Voice Science
- VC 119 French Diction
or VC 120 German Diction - GER 101 German II
or FRE 101 French II - TH 342 Contemporary Trends 3
- Junior Recital
Year 4
Fall Semester
- CR 509 Symphonic Choir
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- VC 433 Song Literature I
- VC 305 Singing in Italian and French
or VC 306 Singing in German and English - CMP 125 Seminar in Writing and Research
- Arts & Sciences elective
- Free electives
Spring Semester
- CR 509 Symphonic Choir
- VC 168A Applied Voice
- VC 434 Song Literature II
- History elective
- Senior Recital
- Select one of the following: 1-2
- VC 592 Opera Workshop
or VC 593E Opera Theater (Ensemble)
or VC 593R Opera Theater (Role)
or VC 593T Opera Theater (Tech)
Policy
Performance majors must earn a minimum grade of “B-” each semester in the primary applied music field in order to make satisfactory progress. If a grade of “C+” or lower is earned, the student must repeat the semester. All other students must earn a minimum grade of “C-” each semester in the primary applied music field. If a grade of “D“ or lower is earned, a student must repeat the semester.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
At Rider, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all, and our aid packages are no exception. In fact, 99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid. Let us work closely with you and your family to find scholarships and aid that are right for you.
99% of students receive Rider-funded scholarships and financial aid | $21.8 Average student assistance package | $71.2 million Total institutional funds awarded by Rider for the 21–22 school year |
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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