One of my students went to a performing arts HS and was a drama major. There was no crossover between the drama and music depts and he never received ANY music training - and he has a lovely bass-baritone voice that should've been developed earlier. He started taking voice lessons privately from me his senior year. I sent him off to a college audition last year and he felt very underprepared - not in his literature, but just in his background. All of the other kids auditioning had been studying since they were 13 or so.
I'm finding that most people entering college these days have had at least 2 years of voice lessons. The days of no voice lessons till college are over.
And there are many people who specialize in HS students (like, oh, ME!) who are knowledgeable about vocal technique and literature. There are some college teachers who aren't.
Christine Thomas, Mezzo Soprano
"I love to sing-a, about the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a!" ----- Original Message ----- From: Cynthia Donnell To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 6:59 PM Subject: Re: [vocalist] High Schools- Voice
> Is it more worthwhile for a student going to high school to go to a > performing arts high school or a regular one... My daughter is in 8th > grade, and is pondering on an arts high school. I would personally like to > save the $30**** plus to board etc., but wonder if this is something that > is really necessary.
I encourage you to screen the performing arts high school as throughly as you would a college. The quality of the program is dependent on its faculty. My experience is that some programs are strong and some graduate students who can't test into a college first year theory program. The quality of the voice instruction, likewise, is all over the map.
If money is a concern why not consider private theory, piano and voice lessons for your daughter while she goes to a public high school. She'll get the information and you'll be money ahead for college. I doubt that many, if any, of the singers in the public eye got their start in a performing arts H.S. Most singers haven't studied voice before beginning college - and frankly I like it that way. It's tough to undo poor teaching.
Just my 2¢ Cindy Donnell
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