Singing Schools with Programs to Become a Professional Singer
Professional singer programs should include voice, melody and harmony training thats enhance the singer's performance skills. Programs should also be flexible enough to allow students to receive educations targeted to their musical needs. Several universities offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in music.
How to Select a Singing School to Become a Professional Singer
According to the National Association of Schools of Music, or NASM, (www.nasm.arts-accredit.org), some important steps in choosing a singing school are to list specifics of the admission requirements, select an environment desired for learning, prepare for auditions and visit institutions to meet instructors. Potential students should also ask questions of the institution and the people involved in the program.
NASM also provides an updated list of accredited music institutions, both degree and non-degree oriented. In order to achieve voluntary accreditation, a music school must meet standards, guidelines and procedures that are in place and approved by industry organizations. These requirements ensure that schools show commitment to meeting standards, enhancing music education and operating academic programs designed for long-term strength.
Singing School Program Information
For degree-seeking students, many singing schools offer associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in music performance and education. Specialist certificate programs are also available.
In undergraduate degree programs, general education courses are commonly required in addition to music coursework. Many associate degree programs include courses transferrable into bachelor's or master's degree programs.
Bachelor degree programs in music are designed for careers in performance, making them an appropriate choice for aspiring professional singers. Requirements may include a portfolio or list of accomplishments, strong musical background, as well as an interview or audition prior to acceptance into a program.
Aspiring professional singers may also obtain master's and doctoral degrees. Honors programs are available at some schools and commonly include seminar and performance opportunities outside of the classroom. Some institutions offer students the option of obtaining simultaneous graduate and undergraduate degrees. A thesis or project is usually required to complete a graduate degree program.
Some common required courses in musical education programs for professional singers include the following:
- Music theory
- Music history
- Music performance
- Music composition
- Music literature
- Music interpretation
- Ensemble
- Applied theory
- Conducting
- Music styles such as jazz, opera, folk, country, rock, and rap
Some institutions offer open-studies programs where an individual can design a curriculum based on his or her goals with advice from faculty, administrators or committee members. Most schools also require scheduled performances at on-campus or local venues.
Largest Singing Schools by Student Enrollment
| College/University | Student Population | Institution Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | 44,406 | 4-year, Public |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 43,246 | 4-year, Public |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 39,675 | 4-year, Public |
| Florida State University | 38,682 | 4-year, Public |
| Temple University | 35,490 | 4-year, Public |
| Brigham Young University | 34,244 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| University of Southern California | 33,747 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Boston University | 31,766 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | 29,617 | 4-year, Public |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | 27,488 | 4-year, Public |
| Western Michigan University | 24,818 | 4-year, Public |
| University of Akron Main Campus | 24,119 | 4-year, Public |
| Northern Arizona University | 22,502 | 4-year, Public |
| Grand Canyon University | 22,025 | 4-year, Public |
| Weber State University | 21,388 | 4-year, Public |
| Ohio University-Main Campus | 21,369 | 4-year, Public |
| University of Delaware | 20,500 | 4-year, Public |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | 20,458 | 4-year, Public |
| Northwestern University | 19,291 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Oakland University | 18,175 | 4-year, Public |
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3 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Florida (1 campus)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Master
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- Master of Arts in Worship - Ethnomusicology
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
- Nevada (1 campus)
- Tennessee (1)
Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- BFA in Cinema Production
- Associate
Other Recommended Schools:
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School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music History and Literature
- Music Performing
- Musical Conducting
- Voice and Opera
- Photography, Film, and Video
-
School locations:
- Washington (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Washington include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate First Professional Degree Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Jazz
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music History and Literature
- Music Merchandising and Management
- Music Performing
- Musical Conducting
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Piano and Organ
- Stringed Instruments
- Voice and Opera
- Photography, Film, and Video
-
School locations:
- Ohio (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Cincinnati include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate First Professional Degree Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music History and Literature
- Music Merchandising and Management
- Music Performing
- Musical Conducting
- Piano and Organ
- Voice and Opera
-
School locations:
- Delaware (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Delaware include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate Master
- Undergraduate: Associate Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music Performing
- Voice and Opera
-
School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Florida State University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate First Professional Degree Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music Performing
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Voice and Opera
- Photography, Film, and Video
-
School locations:
- Pennsylvania (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Temple University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate First Professional Degree Master
- Post Degree Certificate: First Professional Certificate Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Jazz
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music History and Literature
- Music Performing
- Musical Conducting
- Piano and Organ
- Voice and Opera
- Photography, Film, and Video
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School locations:
- Illinois (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Illinois include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate First Professional Degree Master
- Non-Degree: Diploma
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Dance
- Design and Applied Arts
- Drama and Theatre Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Art
- Musical Arts
- Jazz
- Music Composition and Theory
- Music History and Literature
- Music Performing
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Voice and Opera
- Photography, Film, and Video
