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Vocal Music/Opera/Musical Theatre
The Vocal Studies Division offers students a diverse array of performing and educational
opportunities in opera, musical theatre, choral music, and private voice study.
Every faculty member is committed to the education, development, and success of
the student; we strive to provide each student with the guidance and instruction
necessary to become the next generation of professional musicians: performers, scholars,
educators, and continued patrons.
Private vocal study and performing opportunities are available to students on all
levels: undergraduate through doctoral; performance, music education, and secondary
applied areas; Performer?s and Artist?s Certificates for the advanced vocal musician
who may be on the cusp of a professional career; as well as for the non-music major.
Not only do our voice majors have the opportunity to present solo recitals during
their degree tenure, but they can also take advantage of many additional performance,
learning, and musical experiences: two mainstage opera productions each year, as
well as opera workshop (scenes and one-act operas); mainstage musical theatre productions;
choral ensemble concerts and workshops with guest conductors; and masterclasses
with world-renown singers, including baritone Sherrill Milnes and soprano Amy Burton
during the 2007-2008 academic year.
Additionally, our students have reputations for continued success as professional
singers. Students have gone on to participate in some of the most prestigious Young
Artist Programs in the country (Santa Fe, Glimmerglass, Central City, and Wolf Trap),
as well as the continued relationship we share with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Our students have also been given exceptional continued educational opportunities,
attending schools such as Cincinnati?s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), the
Indiana University School of Music, and the Juilliard School, among other prestigious
institutions. The UMKC Conservatory is proud of the continuing artistic careers
of its faculty: they perform, conduct, and direct in well-known national and international
venues; they present masterclasses and guest recitals at colleges and universities
across the country; and teach at prominent summer programs including the Seagle
Music Colony, AIMS in Graz, the International Performing Arts Institute in Kiefersfelden,
Germany, and the Aspen Music Festival.
Choral Music at the Conservatory
The Choral music program offers four professional training degrees: Bachelor of
Music Education (Choral), Master of Music Education (Choral), Master of Music in
Choral Conducting, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting. Additionally,
the program provides ensemble experiences for Conservatory and University students
that exemplify the highest professional standards of ensemble rehearsal techniques,
performance, comprehensive musicianship, vocal technique, style, and repertoire.
The Conservatory currently has four regularly performing choral ensembles: Concert
Choir (large mixed chorus), Bella Voce (Women?s Ensemble), Canticum Novum (select
undergraduate chamber ensemble), and Conservatory Singers (advanced chamber ensemble).
Choral ensemble auditions take place during the first week of classes of the fall
semester.
The choral degree programs provide a solid foundation in choral conducting, teaching
and performance that enables our students to assume leadership roles as professional
conductors, performers and educators. The choral program at the UMKC Conservatory
of Music and Dance has long been recognized as a national leader because of the
visibility of its performing ensembles through recordings, concert tours, and appearances
at national and international venues. Our gifted faculty recognize the profound
opportunity and responsibility they have been given to mold and influence this country?s
next generation of music educators. We believe that the education our students receive
goes well beyond coursework, and extends to meaningful life experiences in the arts
that shape one's life for the long term.
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Giving to UMKC 
