Offered in: Chicago

The goal of the Bachelor of Music in Voice is to provide the training necessary to thrive as a professional classical singer. Students develop fundamental musicianship skills, gain strategies for performance preparation, and learn to approach vocal production in a technically healthy manner. 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 repertoire.

The program’s objectives are to:

• Systematically improve technical facility while developing a nuanced understanding of healthy vocal technique;

• Refine collaborative singing skills;

• Build a solid foundation in musicianship, including analysis and an understanding of historical styles and practices;

• Balance the performative aspects of the program with a strong portfolio of supporting music courses and general education.

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

Admission requirements

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

Grade Requirements:

• Applied Lessons: C- is the minimum passing grade for VOI 211 VOICE (LOWER DIV). B- is the minimum passing grade for VOI 311 VOICE (UPPER DIV).
• Recitals: B- is the minimum passing grade for PERF 313 JUNIOR RECITAL and PERF 314 SENIOR RECITAL.
• Juries: B- is the minimum passing grade for PERF 261 JURY (LOWER DIV) and PERF 361 JURY (UPPER DIV).

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

Course Requirements

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

²

World Language 101 and 102 must be of the same language.

Recital Repertoire

PERF 313 JUNIOR RECITAL
No more than 30 minutes of music, with a 10-minute intermission (Junior Recitals are commonly shared with another student performing a Junior Recital.) Students are expected to give a public performance of a program in at least 3 languages that reflects a diversity of styles and eras, demonstrates an understanding of their program’s pedagogical aims and curriculum, highlights individual abilities and interests, and is responsive to professional standards. Students should emphasize repertoire from the classical tradition, but vernacular styles may be included. In keeping with Roosevelt University’s social justice mission, students are expected to include the work of historically marginalized or underrepresented creators. No more than 1 aria outside of the Baroque era may be included in the program for undergraduate recitals. Students who wish to program repertoire in a language(s) outside of English, German, French, Italian or Spanish, should be able to demonstrate competency (for example, being a speaker of the chosen language, or having passed the program’s required language courses). 

PERF 314 SENIOR RECITAL

No more than 45 minutes of music, with a 10-minute intermission. Students are expected to give a public performance of a program in at least 3 languages that reflects a diversity of styles and eras, demonstrates an understanding of their program’s pedagogical aims and curriculum, highlights individual abilities and interests, and is responsive to professional standards. Students should emphasize repertoire from the classical tradition, but vernacular styles may be included. In keeping with Roosevelt University’s social justice mission, students are expected to include the work of historically marginalized or underrepresented creators. No more than 1 aria outside of the Baroque era may be included in the program for undergraduate recitals. Students who wish to program repertoire in a language(s) outside of English, German, French, Italian or Spanish, should be able to demonstrate competency (for example, being a speaker of the chosen language, or having passed the program’s required language courses). 

Jury Repertoire

Each term, the studio teacher assigns material consistent with the student’s development and degree pursuits that reflects a variety of styles and eras and reinforces the student’s language skills. Students are strongly encouraged to include the work of historically marginalized or underrepresented creators in their lesson repertoire.

The following is a semester-by-semester listing of repertoire requirements:

VOI 211 (4 Semesters) Four songs memorized; two performed.

VOI 311 (1st semester) Recital permission jury. Five pieces memorized; three performed. 

VOI 311 (2nd semester) Recital performed in lieu of a jury.

VOI 311  (3rd semester) Recital permission jury. Five pieces memorized; three performed. 

VOI 311 (4th semester) Recital performed in lieu of a jury.

For PERF 201 ACADEMIC MAJOR FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE JURY and PERF 202 ACADEMIC MAJOR JUNIOR/SENIOR JURY, students are required to prepare four memorized songs, of which two will be selected for performance.

This degree map outlines a suggested pathway through the required courses for the program. Students are responsible for understanding all curricular requirements and course schedules. While alternate pathways are possible, students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic advisor when planning their course of study to ensure that their degree plan meets program requirements and supports their individual goals.

A full-time undergraduate course load consists of 12–18 credits per semester.