Master of Music: Voice Performance or Voice Performance/Pedagogy
The graduate voice audition is about 20-30 minutes in length. Applicants for the M.M. Voice Performance or Voice Performance/Pedagogy, as well as applicants for the M.M. Music Therapy (voice emphasis) degrees, are requested to:
- Prepare and perform, by memory, four vocal selections covering the following guidelines. Selections should represent a variety of styles and moods, cover at least three languages, and constitute approximately 12-15 minutes of music.
- One standard operatic aria in the original language and key.
- One German lied or French mélodie from the Romantic or early Modern periods.One English-language art song composed after 1900.
- One selection of the applicant's choice. This selection can be an additional operatic aria in the original language and key, an aria from a standard oratorio in its original key (English translation acceptable), an art song in any language, a spiritual, or a musical theater song.
- Demonstrate sight-reading proficiency on one short exercise.
- Complete a short interview and Q&A with the voice faculty.
- Provide their own accompanist or pay the Collaborative Pianist Fee (see below).
Collaborative Pianist Fee
The voice faculty strongly feels that applicants give their best auditions when they perform with the pianists with whom they have prepared their audition repertoire. If bringing the applicant's pianist to the audition is not possible, the School of Music can arrange for a collaborative pianist for a small, non-refundable fee. If the applicant chooses this option, they should complete the payment process via the following link:
http://commerce.cashnet.com/ohiomusicad
This fee must be paid through this website; no payments can be accepted at the audition. In addition, applicants will need to send pdfs of their audition repertoire to rentz@ohio.edu . Professor Rentz will pass the music along to the collaborative pianist. Applicants who do not pay this fee are responsible for providing their own pianists. Taped/CD accompaniments are not allowed for in-person auditions.
Choosing Your Vocal Repertoire
The voice faculty is eager to hear the applicant's ability to sing healthily and beautifully, with great attention to musicianship, style, diction, interpretation, and stage presence. Please do not bring difficult songs or arias to the vocal audition that are unsuitable for your current vocal abilities. Please also be aware that you and your pianist will not have time to practice before your audition – if you feel that any of your repertoire is difficult for the pianist, then you should reconsider it as an audition piece. If you have questions about the appropriateness of your audition repertoire, don't hesitate to get in touch with Prof. Debra Rentz at rentz@ohio.edu .
Recorded Auditions
Students residing in the continental United States are encouraged to audition in person. The live audition allows students to meet our faculty and explore the campus. There are also a variety of activities that take place on each audition day that seek to provide students with a complete picture of the School of Music and our curricular offerings. If auditioning in person is not possible, students may elect to submit a recording via YouTube or a similar service that contains a live performance by the applicant of the required repertoire.
Students residing outside the United States are encouraged to audition in person but may elect to submit a recording via YouTube or a similar service that contains a live performance by the applicant of the required repertoire.
Additional Information
All applications and auditions must be received and completed by February 19 th to receive full scholarship and graduate assistantship consideration. Live interviews are required in order to be considered for a graduate assistantship. For international applicants, an interview via Zoom may be arranged in place of an on-campus interview.
For additional information regarding vocal studies at the Ohio University School of Music, please contact:
Division Chair
Professor Debra Rentz
Associate Professor of Instruction rentz@ohio.edu
740-596-6450
Additional Faculty
Kate Merryman Adjunct Professor of Voice
Melissa Brobeck Artist Coach of Musical Theater