Music and Vocal arts
IThe Department of Music and Vocal Arts offers comprehensive professional training for the aspiring performer in concert, opera, and musical theater. Degrees are offered and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), including Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, Master of Music in Performance, and Master of Music in Pedagogy
Partnerships with professional stage companies (Pocket Opera and Broadway By the Bay [Music Theatre Conservatory]) offer Young Artist Apprenticeships and performance opportunities for students as singers, accompanists, music directors, and production staff.
The faculty is accomplished academically and professionally. Small classes assure individual attention of dedicated instructors. A full Performing Arts Calendar provides exceptional opportunities for student performances in opera/musical theater productions, workshop showcases, concerts, cabarets, and student recitals. The Ralston Performers’ Series showcases professional faculty and visiting artists.
Scholarship opportunities include the Emerging Artist Talent Scholarships (up to $9500 annually) in both Music and Musical Theater, awarded by audition and interview. Application must be made by February 1 of each year. Auditions take place in early February, with awards made by March 1. Several named, endowed scholarships are also offered in various areas of vocal and instrumental study.
Curriculum includes:
Skills:
Composing and Improvising
Conducting
Individual Instruction: Instrumental
Individual Instruction: Piano
Individual Instruction: Voice
Concert Management Internships
Musical Theater Workshop/Production
Opera Workshop/Production
Pedagogy: Piano
Pedagogy: Vocal
Performance: Piano and Instrumental
Performance: Vocal (Opera and Musical Theater styles)
Performance: Vocal (Jazz and Cabaret styles)
Vocal Coaching
Teaching Assistant
Ensembles (by audition):
Camerata Chamber Ensemble
Choir
Opera Workshop
Pocket Opera (opera production)
Musical Theater Workshop
Orchestra
History:
History of Piano Literature
History of Vocal Literature
Music History (sequenced)
Musical Theater History
Overview of Music Literature
Theory/Analysis:
Computer Applications in Music
Form and Analysis
Lyric Diction
Music Skills Labs (sequenced)
Theory: Exploring Music at the Keyboard
Theory: Diatonic Techniques
Theory: Chromatic Techniques
Theory: 20th Century Techniques
Non-Majors:
Beginning Guitar: Bach to Rock (class)
Beginning Piano (class)
Beginning Voice (class)
Rock Music, History & Culture
For specific course descriptions, go to NDNU’s online catalog.