Voice and Opera
World-Class Vocal Training
Students studying the vocal arts at the OU School of Music develop their vocal powers of personal expression through performance and pedagogical discipline. Students receive one-on-one training with OU's highly-acclaimed artist faculty. Working closely with the Voice and Opera Theatre faculty, students participate in recitals, concerts, opera theatre, master classes, and seminars. In addition to one-on-one personal training with voice faculty/artists, students have the access to private sessions with excellent vocal coaches to assist with diction and language to polish their performance. OU's vocal program is designed to provide students with a competitive edge in the pursuit of a professional music career, teaching career, or continued higher education.
Faculty
- Bass-Baritone, Area Chair
- Vocal Coach, Diction
- Soprano
- Tenor
- Soprano
- Baritone, Vocal Pedagogy
- Vocal Coach, Diction, Vocal Literature
- Artistic Director of Opera
- Soprano
Scholarships
Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships are available. Graduate Assistantships and Opera Fellowships may include tuition waivers, stipends, and health benefits.
OU Opera Theatre
A complete opera training program is offered by the OU School of Music Opera Theatre. In addition to individual vocal study and coaching, graduate and undergraduate classes in movement, acting, opera history, and technical production help prepare OU students for exciting and rewarding careers in opera. OU Opera Theatre presents two fully-staged opera productions each year with state-of-the-art lighting and acoustic technology. Opera and Voice students also have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses with many visiting world-class artists.
Benton-Schmidt Voice Competition
Voice
The annual Benton-Schmidt Graduate Voice Competition provides scholarship awards up to $25,000 to promising incoming graduate students. Awards will be given based on excellence in vocal performance and versatility as revealed through the performance audition. Scholarship prizes are for the academic year beginning the following Fall semester.
Funds for these scholarships were made possible through the bequest of Joseph H. Benton, internationally-acclaimed tenor, long-time teacher and devoted supporter of vocal art, in honor of his much-revered voice teacher at the University of Oklahoma, William George Frederick Schmidt.
View the page linked below for repertoire requirements, dates and deadlines, and the online application form.
