Offered in: Chicago

The goal of the Master of Music in Voice is to train skilled performers that possess a technically healthy and musically-informed approach to singing. The program emphasizes the value of being a good colleague, the importance of a balanced educational portfolio, and the cultivation of knowledge across all styles and periods of vocal repertory.

The graduate program's objectives are to:

• Refine technical and musical abilities through the study and performance of challenging works from a wide range of repertories;
• Provide ongoing solo and ensemble performing experiences, including OperaFest, CCPA Opera, and a public recital;
• Cultivate collaborative skills;
• Foster the curiosity and necessary skillsets for researching musical topics via academic coursework.

All jury and recital repertoire requirements are listed on the Requirements tab within the academic catalogue.

Admission requirements

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for singers. 

Course Requirements

Residency Requirement

A student must earn at least 21 credit hours at Roosevelt University.

Minimum Grade Requirements

Applied Lessons
B is the minimum passing grade for VOI 411 VOICE (MAJOR).

Recitals
B is the minimum passing grade for PERF 428 GRADUATE RECITAL.

Juries
B is the minimum passing grade for PERF 451 MASTER OF MUSIC JURY.

A student must earn a GPA of at least 3.0 in all major subject coursework.

Language Requirements

Students in the graduate program must demonstrate completion of two semesters (the equivalent of 101, or higher) of world language (Italian, Spanish, French, German, etc.) at the college level. This may be two semesters of the same language, or one semester each of two different languages. World language experience at the high school level may also be used toward fulfilling this requirement, in which one year of study at the high school level is equivalent to one semester of study at the college level.

If the student has not successfully completed two semesters of world language in their previous study, the requirement may be fulfilled in one of the following ways: 

• Enroll in the course(s) at RU.
• Enroll in the course(s) at another two or four-year college or university in the U.S. and submit the transcript to the Program Director and your Academic Advisor upon completion.
• Take the equivalent of 101 and/or 102 at an approved non-credit language training institution and submit either all grades for the course receiving a B or higher, or a certificate of completion (French at Alliance Française; German at the Goethe-Institut; Italian at ItalCultura).
• Other substantial foreign language experience may be considered to fulfill this requirement with approval from the Program Director.

This requirement must be completed before graduation.

Recital Repertoire

PERF 428 GRADUATE RECITAL
55 minutes of music is required  in four languages (one language must be English), and representative of four stylistic periods. Baroque arias, oratorio arias, and vocal chamber music are permitted without limitation, and two non-Baroque arias may also be included. Program notes will be created within PERF 481 BUSINESS PRACTICES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SINGER. Please note: one suit/gown is permitted for the entire recital, and no encores may be performed. Graduate recitals are graded by three applied teachers who are not the major applied teacher of the student giving the recital.

N.B. Music must be performed memorized. Liturgical oratorio and repertoire performed with three or more instruments across eras may be performed in juries and recitals with a score, in accordance with professional performance practice.

Jury Repertoire

It is expected that the applied teacher will follow the development of art song in preparation for juries. Suitable material consistent with the student’s development will be taken from the Italian, French, and German literature, as well as from the English and American repertories. There is no foreign language requirement for students taking non-curricular voice lessons, but the student may be assigned such repertory at the discretion of the applied teacher.

Voice majors must be able to sing in three foreign languages, starting with Italian. German and French are usually added from the sophomore year on, although these languages may be started earlier at the discretion of the teacher. Russian and other national literature may also be included in the original language if the student has the proper facility. For all voice juries, the student chooses the first selection to be sung; the faculty will then select the remaining piece(s) to be performed. At the discretion of the teacher, more repertory than listed below may be assigned. These additional pieces shall not be listed on the jury sheet.

N.B. Music must be performed memorized. Liturgical oratorio and repertoire performed with three or more instruments across eras may be performed in juries and recitals with a score, in accordance with professional performance practice.

PERF 451 MASTER OF MUSIC JURY

Graduate students presenting their first of three graduate juries are required to prepare six memorized pieces, of which three will be selected for performance at the jury. One non-Baroque operatic aria is allowed.

Graduate students presenting the second of three graduate juries are required to prepare six memorized pieces, of which three will be selected for performance at the jury. At least five of the six pieces should be from the planned graduate recital program. One non-Baroque operatic aria is allowed.

Graduate students presenting the third of three graduate juries are required to prepare six memorized pieces, of which three will be selected for performance at the jury. At least five of the six pieces should be from the planned graduate recital program. One non-Baroque operatic aria is allowed. This jury serves as the threshold for permission to give a graduate recital during the following semester.

This degree map charts a suggested pathway through all of your required courses. It is incumbent upon all students to fully comprehend curricular requirements and course schedules, and while it is feasible to chart an alternate pathway, it is highly recommended that you do so in close consultation with your academic advisor so as to determine a degree path appropriately tailored to your needs.

A full-time graduate course load comprises 9-13 credits per semester.