The Voice department offers many performance and study opportunities. In past years, we have held masterclasses with prestigious alumni like Ben Heppner, Judith Forst, and David Agler, Renée Fleming, Sondra Radvanovsky, Angela Meade, Eric Owens, Luca Pisaroni and Jane Archibald.as well as a host of other fine performers, coaches and conductors.

Voice performance Majors will work intensively with Prof. Rena Sharon, Dr. Terrence Dawson and other Voice faculty members in their preparations for their recital performances or special events. Opportunities to participate in Chamber music and Small Ensembles such as Contemporary Players and the Early Music Ensemble are also possible and encouraged.

Students in the M.Mus. in Voice Performance are also encouraged to participate in the Opera Workshop to broaden their experience. Students should contact Prof. Hermiston, Chair of Voice and Opera Divisions if they are interested.

The thesis for the M.Mus. students in Voice Performance is a one-hour recital The thesis solo recital is normally performed in the second year. We highly recommend that the student use their first-year jury which will consist of thirty minutes of solo repertoire as a recital opportunity as well. Please note that only one Opera or Oratorio aria may be performed in a 30 min. recital. In a full one- hour recital one oratorio and one opera aria are allowed. Each program proposal should be accompanied by a short rationale describing the idea(s) or theme(s) for the recital and/or reasonings for the choice of repertoire. Considerable thought should be given to this, and the result should not be a random selection of works. The two recitals together should display a varied and balanced repertoire, encompassing a wide-range of works acceptable to the committee. The rationale/comments may also be spoken from the stage.

Graduate students maintain continuous registration, and may perform recitals at any time with the approval and availability of their individual committee members.