Contact & Location

Voice and Opera

Life as a voice student at DePaul University is exciting and challenging from the start.

The fundamentals of singing and vocal technique are combined with the study of poetry, language and the entirety of the musical experience. Our students encourage, stimulate and challenge one another in healthy growth with a strong sense of community as well as a search for individual excellence. An all encompassing study of voice, students perform in DePaul Opera Theatre productions as well as in DePaul's choirs, promoting the value of the collective power of the voice. Students from freshmen to graduates are featured in solo roles. Voice students meet once a week for Vocal Studio Class where students perform and listen to form constructive insights, and faculty guide discussions of performance techniques.

Faculty

See the voice faculty in recital on our video page

Graduate Curriculum

Applied Voice Lessons (4 credits per quarter)

One hour per week applied lessons with the voice faculty. Graduate student audition results and requests are considered in instructor assignments. In addition, all graduate students receive one hour of private coaching per week.

Graduate Diction and Language Lab: Italian, German, French

These courses, offered in conjunction with the first year of graduate study, focus on the translation, pronunciation, grammatical understanding and interpretation of texts. There is a vocal presentation as part of the final in each class.

Advanced Techniques of the Musical Stage (2 credits)

This rigorous, small class, only for graduate voice students, investigates individual performance techniques including relaxation and concentration, study techniques, character creation and role development. Students work with the opera director and faculty vocal coach to learn and develop performance skills with particular attention paid to successful artistic interpretation and execution.

Opera Work Shop (2 credits)

Taught by Harry Silverstein, Director of DePaul Opera Theater, Stephen Mosteller, DePaul Opera Theater Music Director, and Kit Bridges, Vocal Coach and Accompanist, students prepare 8-10 opera scenes in their original language to be presented in public performance.

Vocal Pedagogy (2 credits)

Study and analysis of fundamentals of vocal training, evidenced in various teaching approaches-scientific, mechanistic, empirical.

Graduate Recital

A full public recital of solo and/or chamber repertoire of at least 60 minutes to be completed during graduate residence while enrolled in applied lessons. This recital is a requirement for the degree of Master of Music in Performance and for the Post –Masters Certificate in Performance.

Chamber Music

Study and performance of vocal chamber music in mixed ensembles. This may include DePaul’s Baroque Ensemble and the School of Music’s new music group, Ensemble 20+.

Opera Productions

The School of Music presents an opera every quarter and graduate students are expected to audition for and perform in them as assigned.

Large Ensemble

Students must audition for and enroll in chorus for a minimum of 3 quarters.

In addition, all Masters students are required to take 2 credits in Music Research, 12 quarter hours in Graduate Music Theory and History and pass their graduate comprehensive exams.

Undergraduate Curriculum

Applied Voice Lessons (4 credits, 2 credits)

These private lessons demand work technically, musically and artistically to achieve the skills necessary to compete in the professional world and to be an effective communicator. A major focus is establishing a practice regime of vocalizes and exercises to maintain vocal health and development.

Diction I – Italian, German, French (APM 125, 126, 127 – 0 credit each)

This three course sequence starts with beginning level Italian and English diction, followed by German, then French. The International Phonetic Alphabet is taught and there is a performance at the end of the quarter to demonstrate the bonding of music and language. Students must be enrolled in applied voice lessons simultaneously to each diction class and the courses must be taken in order.

Diction II – Italian, German, French (APM 225, 226, 227 – 1 credit each)

Vocal Coaching I & II (APM 204 & 304 – 1 credit each)

Develop musical and dramatic performance of the repertoire being studied (with special regard to recital material), integrating stylistic considerations, ornamentation, and cadenzas.

Vocal Coaching 303

A seminar in the preparation and performance of operatic arias and scenes. There is special emphasis on the performance of Italian operatic recitativo, both secco and accompagnato. Students share communally in the preparation of each text to be performed and explore the tools and process necessary to prepare an operatic aria and an entire role.

Introduction to Acting for Singers I & II (APM 253 – 2 credits each)

Intro to Acting for Singers I is an exploration of the different schools of acting philosophies. The second course in the sequence is designed to increase basic knowledge of stage terms and methods of preparation for stage performance of music by singers. The class is performance oriented with self-examination and peer review guided by Professor Silverstein.

Voice Pedagogy (APM 336 - 2 credits)

Study and analysis of fundamentals of vocal training, evidenced in various teaching approaches-scientific, mechanistic, and empirical.

Interpretation of Vocal Literature I, II & III (APM 350, 351, 352 – 2 credits each)

Study and demonstration of performance practices (16th-century to present), language orientation in German, French, Italian and English; study of the composers and poets, and structuring groups of lieder with a stress on performance demonstrated by students.

Techniques of the Music Stage I & II (APM 353 & 354 – 2 credits each)

Study, coaching, rehearsal and performance of music drama and opera with an emphasis on the blocks to self-expression and ensembles.

Opera Workshop (APM 356 - 2 credits)

This is a results oriented course for students who have completed basic acting/performing studies and are ready to engage those skills in work to be presented for public performance. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Techniques of the Musical Stage I & II.

Junior Recital (APM 205)

A 30-40 minute, public recital performance of solo and/or chamber repertoire to be completed in the Junior year. This recital is required as partial fulfillment of the degree of Bachelor of Music in Performance.

Senior Recital (APM 305)

A 60-minute, public recital performance of solo and/or chamber repertoire to be completed in the senior year. This recital is required as partial fulfillment of the degree of Bachelor of Music in Performance.

Opera and Chorus

All undergraduate voice majors must enroll in chorus all four years and are expected to audition for and perform as assigned in opera productions. DePaul School of Music produces an opera each quarter.

Recent Student Performances

Alumni Accomplishments

Graduates of the DePaul voice studio have gone on to:

The Metropolitan Opera
New York City Opera
Chicago Opera Theater
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Juilliard Opera Center
LA Opera
San Francisco Opera
Music of the Baroque
Nashville Opera
New Jersey Opera
Opera on the James
Houston Grand Opera