Music
Build a solid foundation in the technical challenges of vocal performance, including improvisation, reading, and interpretation.
Music, Voice Performance Concentration, B.M.
The Vocal Performance Concentration in the Bachelor of Music degree is offered by the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU.
MTSU provides diverse training for students pursuing a Music degree in Voice Performance. Opportunities abound to perform in operas, musicals, and an array of ensembles, as well as at local theaters and the Nashville Opera. Voice faculty members, who perform professionally, will guide you in learning not only how to sing, but also how to establish and maintain a career. Guest clinicians are brought in, and faculty members hold weekly studio classes so that students can perform and receive feedback. The School of Music and the Theatre program work collaboratively to help students move into the real world of performance. To be admitted into the Bachelor of Music degree program, all entering students must pass an audition before the faculty on their major instrument or voice. In addition, all prospective new or transfer undergraduate music majors and minors are required to take the Music Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam to determine appropriate placement in the music theory program. For additional information and to schedule a time for the exam, contact the School of Music Office
News Briefs
Grads have opera careers at the Met, abroad
Soprano Holli Harrison, a former vocal performance major at MTSU, is on the roster at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She made her debut recently in the role in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia. Harrison was a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Bass baritone Seth Mease Carico, voice performance graduate, is presently singing roles with the Deutsche Oper Berlin. He has performed with numerous other companies, including Fort Worth Opera, Lake George Opera, and Theatro Regio Torino. Both previously won the Orpheus National Vocal Competition.
Performance opportunities are unique at MTSU
After graduating in 2012 from MTSU with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, Kathleen Spencer went on to complete a graduate degree in voice from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and in 2016 co-founded City Lyric Opera, serving as Executive Director from 2016 — 2021 and currently serving as an active member of its Board of Directors. Along with her business partner, Megan Gillis, Kathleen produced five seasons of opera in New York City along with numerous events and concerts. She's known for creating an inclusive and collaborative space for local artists to grow, thrive, and create. City Lyric Opera has quickly made its way to being one of the most sought-after local opera companies in New York City. An accomplished singer herself, Kathleen has performed at various summer festivals, singing roles such as Miss Jessel in Benjamin Britten's Turn of the Screw with the Chautauqua Music Institute, Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto with the Asheville Lyric Opera and the Janeic Opera Company, the title role in The Rape of Lucretia at Manhattan School of Music, and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with the Vancouver Opera Studio. Other roles include Angelina (La Cenerentola), Carmen (Carmen), Erika (Vanessa), Effie (The Ballad of Baby Doe), Henrietta M. (The Mother of Us All), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), and Miranda (The Tempest).
News Briefs
Grads have opera careers at the Met, abroad
Soprano Holli Harrison, a former vocal performance major at MTSU, is on the roster at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She made her debut recently in the role in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia. Harrison was a winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Bass baritone Seth Mease Carico, voice performance graduate, is presently singing roles with the Deutsche Oper Berlin. He has performed with numerous other companies, including Fort Worth Opera, Lake George Opera, and Theatro Regio Torino. Both previously won the Orpheus National Vocal Competition.
Performance opportunities are unique at MTSU
After graduating in 2012 from MTSU with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, Kathleen Spencer went on to complete a graduate degree in voice from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and in 2016 co-founded City Lyric Opera, serving as Executive Director from 2016 — 2021 and currently serving as an active member of its Board of Directors. Along with her business partner, Megan Gillis, Kathleen produced five seasons of opera in New York City along with numerous events and concerts. She's known for creating an inclusive and collaborative space for local artists to grow, thrive, and create. City Lyric Opera has quickly made its way to being one of the most sought-after local opera companies in New York City. An accomplished singer herself, Kathleen has performed at various summer festivals, singing roles such as Miss Jessel in Benjamin Britten's Turn of the Screw with the Chautauqua Music Institute, Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto with the Asheville Lyric Opera and the Janeic Opera Company, the title role in The Rape of Lucretia at Manhattan School of Music, and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with the Vancouver Opera Studio. Other roles include Angelina (La Cenerentola), Carmen (Carmen), Erika (Vanessa), Effie (The Ballad of Baby Doe), Henrietta M. (The Mother of Us All), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), and Miranda (The Tempest).
Related Media
Music, Voice Performance Concentration, B.M.
Paths taken by Voice Performance graduates from MTSU include making a living as performers,
continuing work in advanced music studies or other graduate programs, or pursuingmusic-related careers. Some undergraduates also have won prestigious competitionsand been accepted to outstanding music schools for advanced degrees. Here are someexamples of job possibilities:
- Actor
- Church musician/worship leader
- Composer/arranger/orchestrator
- Music critic/journalist
- Music editor and publisher
- Music educator
- Music librarian
- Music theater director
- Musicologist
- Salesperson/marketer
- Singer/performer
- Songwriter
- Studio/private teacher
- Talent agent
- University professor
- Vocalist
Employers of MTSU alumni
Graduates from MTSU’s music program in Voice Performance are employed by or have appearedin/with
- Ashland (Ohio) Symphony
- Broadway productions
- Case Western Reserve University
- Centre College
- Central Michigan University
- Deutsche Oper Berlin
- Evansville Philharmonic
- Fort Worth Opera
- Kentucky Opera and Cincinnati Opera
- Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
- Lake George Opera
- Lexington Philharmonia
- Liber: Ensemble for Early Music
- Los Angeles Philharmonic
- Metropolitan Opera, New York
- Music producer David Foster
- Nashville Opera
- Ohio Philharmonic Orchestra
- Opera Cleveland
- Opera New Jersey
- Seattle Opera
- Theater Bremen
- Theatro Regio Torino
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
MTSU provides diversity in training for students pursuing a Music degree in Voice Performance. Opportunities abound to perform in operas, musicals, and an array of ensembles, as well as at local theaters and the Nashville Opera. Voice faculty members, who perform professionally, guide students in not only learning how to sing, but also how to establish and maintain a career. Guest clinicians are brought in, and faculty members hold weekly master classes so that students can perform with feedback. The School of Music and the theatre program work collaboratively to help students move into the real world of performance.
Public Accountability Notice
Middle Tennessee State University has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1970. The Bachelor of Music degree programs with concentrations in Instrumental Music Education and Vocal/General Music Education K-12 are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
To see data about the program, please visit this webpage: https://planeffectiveness.mtsu.edu/musicbachelor/.
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