September 2010 – All Articles

Read about a unique four-year, tuition-free artist diploma program whose high-standard focus on opera is helping singers achieve their full potential.

Goodbye and Thank You, Maureen Forrester Famous for the quip “I can’t cancel, I’ve already spent the money,” contralto Maureen Forrester was at the top of her profession for three

Are you one of many who isn’t headed back to school this fall, opting to take a year or two off before pursuing that graduate degree? If you’re feeling a little lost as you watch your friends head back to school, read what you can do to make sure you don’t get left behind.

At first glance, the University of Maryland Opera Studio stands out for its full-ride assistantships that most graduate students receive. Further investigation reveals that this is just the tip of the iceberg for a program that offers everything from world-class facilities to an ideal location to top-notch faculty.

A mother shares what she has learned in the college audition process, three times over. First with her eldest son, then her eldest daughter, and finally her youngest son—all who decided to pursue degrees in vocal performance.

More and more colleges and universities are implementing a prescreening audition prior to granting live college entrance auditions. Find out why and what you can do to make sure you put your best foot forward via CD or DVD.

Dawn Upshaw and students from the Graduate Vocal Arts Program at Bard College Conservatory of Music wowed attendees at the 2010 Classical Singer Convention last May. Find out what makes this program so unique and what they are doing to produce a new generation of complete artists.

Judges from the Auditions Plus High School and University Competitions share their top five observations of singers. Discover from these recurring themes, both good and bad, what you can do to make a better impression in a competition or college entrance audition.

Chantal Panozzo interviews the panelists of the Audition Feedback Experience, part of the 2010 Classical Singer Convention Professional Track, and reveals their top five suggestions for how most singers can improve their chances of landing professional singing jobs.

Why I Sing By Gretchen Retka I sing because I breathe. Breathing and singing go hand in hand. I inhale and I sing, inhale and sing. I’m always singing wherever

An unforgettable two days of amazing classes with managers, general directors, singers, and more made up the Professional Track at this year’s Classical Singer Convention. Read about it here and then start planning to attend next year’s big event in May 2011 in sunny Los Angeles.

The days of musical patrons are over. And unless you
have a trust fund or rich relative, odds are you will have
to supplement your singing income with full- or part-time jobs for some or all of your singing career. Singers straddling dual careers tell how they make it work—for better or worse.