School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

New Student Information

Congratulations on being accepted into the Kansas State University Voice Division! We look forward to having you as part of our program.

Please read the following information on beginning your Vocal studies at K-State.

1. Voice Studio Assignments

  • Click here to learn about our voice teachers
  • Students will be able to request the studio of their choice (contingent on availability in the teachers' schedule) by completing the Studio Request Form. Please submit this form by August 11, 2024.
  • If you do not complete this form or select "no preference," then you will be notified by email the week before school begins of the name of your voice teacher.
  • Contact your voice teacher the first day of the semester unless other arrangements with your teacher have already been made. Emails are on the faculty page listed above.

2. Credit Hours for Voice Lessons

  • All new voice students accepted as Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, or Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre must enroll in MUSIC 255 (Lower-Division Performance) for 2 credit hours.
  • All new voice students accepted as Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance, Bachelor of Music with a Composition concentration, Minor in Music, or Minor in Music Theatre must enroll in MUSIC 255 for 1 credit hour.
  • All voice secondary students must enroll in MUSIC 254 for 1 credit hour.
  • All non-majors must enroll in MUSIC 251 for 1 credit hour.
  • Transfer students will enroll in the appropriate course number after consulting with their advisor.

 

3. Voice Juries

At the end of each semester, all voice students perform a voice jury as their final semester exam. During the voice jury students perform for the voice faculty, who will grade the performance and reevaluate your status as a music major or music minor.

4. Voice Seminar and Voice Divisional

All voice students are required to attend weekly studio seminar classes and monthly voice divisionals. If you have a class conflict, speak with your teacher.

Seminars and Divisionals are scheduled on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at 11:30. On your course schedule this is listed as Mus 050: Recital Attendance, 11:30 -12:20. Exact dates are TBA with your voice teacher.

In addition, music majors must fulfill the recital attendance requirement. This will be outlined at the first Voice Divisional and in your voice studio. The Voice Area also utilizes a page in CANVAS with a wealth of inforomation. Once enrolled, you will receive an invitation to this page.

5. Accompanists

All voice students should obtain an accompanist for voice lessons by the end of the second week of the semester. Accompanists are independent contractors and are either hired by the student (around $250 per semester) or paid by the School. The School will pay for certain accompanists including Norma Roozeboom, Dr. Songhwa Chae and Cheryl Savage. A list of accompanists will be provided each semester on the Voice Area Canvas page. Students are responsible for making contact. Your accompanist will attend your voice lesson, studio seminar class, voice divisional, studio recitals and voice jury.

If obtaining an accompanist is not possible, discuss a solution with your voice teacher. You should not contact an accompanist until you have scheduled a lesson time with your instructor. Additional accompanists may become available at a later date.

Contact an accompanist below:

Norma Roozeboom: nkrzbm@gmail.com

Dr. Songhwa Chae: songhwachae94@gmail.com

Cheryl Savage: cssavage@gmail.com

6. Music

Music majors should begin building their own collection of music books and sheet music according to their voice type and level of vocal development. You will be instructed to purchase at least 1 vocal book each semester for use in your voice lessons. A book of solo vocal music ranges from $15-$25.

7. Production Auditions

Most auditions will be held near the beginning of the fall semester. An accompanist will be provided for all auditions. For current information on auditions for productions, subscribe to https://kstatemtd.com

  • Auditions for the 2023 musical: The Fantasticks
    • Tuesday August, 22 at 6:00pm-7:30pm
    • Callbacks Thursday, August 24 at 7:30pm
    • Prepare 16-32 bars of a song of your choice
  • Auditions for the Spring opera will be held later in the semester.
  • Auditions for Opera Workshop Class (MUSIC 475)
    • Thursday, August 24 at 3:30pm in McCain 105. Prepare one art song, sacred song, folk song, Broadway show tune or aria for the audition.
    • Bring one copy of your music for the accompanist.

8. Italian Diction

All music majors in voice are required to take Italian Diction (MUSIC 285) during the fall or spring semester of their freshman year. Transfer students must be enrolled in Italian diction if this requirement hasn’t already been completed.

9. Auditions for the Choral Program

  • Click here to learn about auditioning for a choir.

10. NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing)

The mission of NATS is to advance excellence in singing through teaching, performance, scholarship, and research. It is the the main professional association for aspiring singers and voice teachers.

Most voice students will participate at the annual West Central NATS Conference and Student Auditions. This is a great opportunity for students to learn repertoire, make new friendships and learn about the art of singing. The 2023 conference will occur November 3-4 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Your expenses will include

  • an application fee ($15),
  • shared accompanist fee (~$50 per person)
  • gas & hotel (~$250) this is split between roommates and riders, so the cost may vary.

Your voice teacher will discuss this opportunity with you.