Voice Studies
The voice area at Penn State is vibrant, supportive, and comprehensive. Performance opportunities abound, and voice students in all degree programs are encouraged to perform as much as possible. Regular performance opportunities include:
- Bach’s Lunch (weekly Voice Area concert series)
- Voice Forum (weekly combined–studios masterclass)
- Common Hour (weekly performance showcasing School of Music students)
- Sing Out! (Voice Area scholarship competition for performance across theatrical genres)
- Area “Fest” (annual area-wide program around a common theme)
- Opera Theatre (Penn State Opera Theatre is an auditioned ensemble that offers performance opportunities of mainly full-length operas, presented in staged, workshop, or concert settings)
- Acting for Singers (a performance techniques class that culminates in a performance of excerpts from the lyric theatre)
- Recitals (recitals are required in many degrees, though recitals are encouraged for voice students in all degree programs)
- Guest Masterclasses
- Choral Ensembles
- Vocal Dimensions Jazz Ensemble
- School of Theatre (auditions are open to all students)
- Scholarship Competition (an opportunity to win endowed School of Music scholarships)
- Concerto Competition (School of Music competition for students to be featured with the Penn State Philharmonic)
- Undergraduate and Graduate Exhibition
- Penn State Thespians and No Refund Theatre (student-run theatrical organizations)
- National Association of Teachers of Singing (chapter or regional student audition each semester)
The voice faculty are widely recognized for their teaching, performance, and scholarship, and work together to provide each student with the best experience and mentoring. Singers have the opportunity to work with each of our faculty through lessons, coachings, Voice Forum, Opera Theatre, coursework (in lyric diction, vocal literature, voice pedagogy, and Acting for Singers), independent study, or other interactions.
Each year the School of Music sponsors more than 400 student and faculty recitals and concerts, while the University’s Center for the Performing Arts brings internationally known soloists, ensembles, orchestras, and theatrical companies to Penn State.
Student quotes:
“…I love the very supportive atmosphere in our voice program. It’s not about comparing ourselves to others; it’s about our individual progress and process.”
“Voice Forum is my favorite event we do as a voice studio here at PSU. Being about to hear and see shifts in a singers voice is amazing and really helps you grow quickly. I also love how we get to work with teachers outside our normal professors.”
“…In terms of performing, getting to perform as such a young singer multiple times a semester in a concert setting is the perfect preparation for juries and recitals. I also love seeing the growth of my peers and variety of repertoire they are studying.”
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