Vocal Performance (BM)
Program Description
The Vocal Performance program is designed for outstanding students interested in intensive performance training within the rigorous and stimulating academic environment of a large, urban university.
Specializations
The program offers the following specializations:
Classical Voice
The Bachelor of Music program in Vocal Performance with a specialization in classical voice is designed for outstanding students interested in intensive performance training within the stimulating academic environment of an internationally acclaimed liberal arts/research university. Students study with renowned faculty through private lessons, studio/workshop classes, lecture classes, master classes, and seminars. They perform in fully staged productions of the highest caliber under the guidance of professional directors, conductors, and designers.
Coursework includes classes in opera performance and classical song repertoire, as well as training in voice with leading vocalists from New York’s professional community. Acting and dance classes are conducted by working professionals in the industry, and classes are offered in foreign language diction, vocal production, and Alexander Technique. Classical Voice majors have the opportunity to cross traditional lines and benefit from the opportunity to participate in music theatre workshops as well as fully staged music theatre productions. Core music requirements include music theory, aural comprehension, keyboard skills, and music history.
The degree requires a total of 128 credits (44 in liberal arts and 84 in music) and all Classical Voice majors perform both a junior and senior recital. Our department’s programs in Music Technology, Music Business, and Music Education provide students with elective courses that further prepare them for employment opportunities in the world of professional music performance.
Contemporary Voice
The Bachelor of Music program in Vocal Performance with a specialization in contemporary voice is designed for outstanding students interested in intensive performance training within the stimulating academic environment of an internationally acclaimed liberal arts/research university.
Study with our renowned faculty in private lessons, studio/workshop classes, lecture classes, and master classes while gaining intensive performance training in voice, acting, movement/dance, auditioning, and business, along with a full liberal arts education. Students perform in fully staged productions of the highest caliber under the guidance of directors, choreographers, conductors, and designers from Broadway and major regional theatre communities. The curriculum fully integrates the study of voice with live performance, through the development of voice technique with a focus on vocal function, anatomy, and physiology. Coursework includes style-specific voice training, acting, dance classes, and a sequence of contemporary vocal workshops focused on performance skills, song analysis, and interpretation. Students also take classes in vocal production, speech/diction, with elective courses available in areas such as music technology, music business, and music education.
Courses are conducted by working professionals in the industry and every semester a sequence of contemporary voice workshops focuses on performance techniques needed for the contemporary performer, including microphone and recording techniques and musicianship skills. Contemporary Voice majors have the opportunity to cross traditional lines and benefit from musical theatre and classical voice training and the chance to audition for all productions produced within the vocal performance program, including musicals, operas, and concert series. During their senior year, students present a final performance as the culmination of their degree.
Music Theatre
The Bachelor of Music program in Vocal Performance with a specialization in music theatre is designed for outstanding students interested in intensive performance training within the stimulating academic environment of an internationally acclaimed liberal arts/research university.
Students study with renowned faculty through private lessons, studio/workshop classes, lecture classes, master classes, and seminars. They perform in fully staged productions of the highest caliber under the guidance of directors, choreographers, conductors, and designers from Broadway and major regional theatre communities. Coursework includes classes in music theatre history and repertoire, as well as training in voice with leading vocalists from New York’s professional community. Acting and dance classes are conducted by working professionals in the industry, and classes are offered in diction, speech, audition and business skills, and stagecraft. Every semester, a sequence of music theatre workshops focus on song analysis, character analysis, music theatre styles, and vocal production. Music Theatre majors have the opportunity to cross traditional lines and benefit from classical voice training and the opportunity to participate in opera workshops, as well as fully staged opera productions.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
See How to Audition for audition requirements and instructions specific to each specialization: