Voice Studies

The University at Albany’s Music Department offers music majors a unique opportunity to concentrate their studies in vocal performance, a curriculum offered on a campus centrally located in the rich, artistic environment of New York’s Capital District region. UAlbany’s vocal performance concentration is offered within a small department that is able to provide close, individualized attention for beginning, intermediate, and advanced singers interested in a challenging, multifaceted liberal arts education. In addition to private lessons, the vocal curriculum includes diction, movement, acting, and language study along with core music theory and history courses. The music faculty includes accomplished teachers with extensive performance and instructional experience eager to help young singers develop their voices as well as bridge the gap between academic study and application in the real world of the arts. The many performing opportunities available to vocal performance majors include performance classes, recitals, and chamber ensembles as well as solo and ensemble experience with the two choirs of the university: the University Chorale and the more elite University Chamber Singers. The vocal curriculum works interdepartmentally to create a well-rounded and challenging program. As well, students are encouraged to think interdepartmentally and consider pairing their music degree with other exciting programs that the university offers such as Judaic, Latin American, or Africana Studies, a variety of foreign languages, Theatre, or Business. With all that the university has to offer, students can position themselves well for either employment or advanced graduate study at the completion of their four year undergraduate degree.

Bess Phillips (of F'loom) shares a laugh with a student at a recent master class. Gordon Hibberd is at the piano. Photos at left are also from the master class. At top, vocal instructor Frances Pallozzi Wittmann instructs a student.