Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy

Vocal pedagogy students are singers who are committed to helping their students develop their vocal talents and abilities with healthy vocal practices and techniques. They are inquisitive thinkers who are eager to understand the anatomical functions of the human voice in various musical styles and genres. They desire to develop a language to communicate vocal and pedagogical ideas effectively with their voice students, colleagues, and the professional voice community.

This program features a four-semester sequence of courses in vocal pedagogy topics, such as Structure and Function for Singing, History of Vocal Pedagogy, Comparative Pedagogy, Repertoire for the Teaching Studio, and electives specific to students' pedagogical goals and individual vocal development.

Throughout the program, students receive weekly private lessons with a member of the Conservatory's esteemed voice faculty. Because stylistic versatility is a key component of the training, pedagogy students are exposed to both classical and musical theater repertoire through repertoire and diction courses, as well as through required attendance at the many vocal studio and solo recitals presented at the Conservatory.

In the final year of the program, students enroll in Applied Teaching Practicum, which includes mentored teaching and developing a personal teaching philosophy and curriculum vitae. These courses culminate in the final project, a lecture recital on a topic determined by the student with assistance from their applied instructor, and the director of vocal pedagogy.

The M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy requires students to complete 36 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below. View the Sample Curriculum by Semester for additional details.

Proficiency Requirements

Upon matriculation to the Master of Music degree programs, candidates take proficiency exams in music theory and music history. These exams are designed to identify minimum competencies in both areas reflecting a typical undergraduate preparation in music. Any deficiencies revealed by these exams must be corrected within the first year in residence through successful completion of prescribed review courses in ear training, harmony, or music history.

Major Requirements

• M-AP 0009 Applied lessons (12 credits total, 3 credits each)
• M-AP 0701 Vocal coachings (2 credits total, 1 credit each)
• M-EX 6001 Oral Comprehensive Exam (0 credit)
• M-PD 5742 Structure and Function of the Singing Mechanism (2 credits)
• M-PD 5743 Repertoire for the Teaching Studio (1 credit)
• M-PD 5751 Foundations of Voice Technique 1 (1 credit)
• M-PD 5752 Foundations of Voice Technique 2 (1 credit)
• M-PD 6741 Comparative Pedagogy (1 credit)
• M-PD 6752 Logistics of Teaching and Practicum (1 credit)
• M-PR 70916 Advanced Career Skills for Musicians (1 credit)
• M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credit)
• M-SK 0703 Speech to Singing (1 credit)
• M-SK 5701 Graduate Diction 1 (1 credit)
• M-SK 5702 Graduate Diction 2 (1 credit)
• M-ST 5711 Graduate Performance Seminar: Voice (1 credit)

Academics and Electives

• M-PD 5741 History of Vocal Pedagogy (2 credits)
• M-LT 712xx Graduate seminars in Theory & Analysis and/or M-LT 713xx Music History (6 credits total, 3 credits each)
• Xxxxx General electives (2 credits total)

Upon successful completion of the M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy, students will:

• recognize and accurately diagnose vocal faults in their students and effectively address them employing the tools and skills discovered through the study of structure and function of the vocal mechanism as well as historical and current pedagogical approaches;
• select and assign age- and level-appropriate repertoire to address specific technical challenges in their students;
• produce a range of vocal sounds appropriate to classical music and musical theater, both in their own singing and as demonstration tools in teaching;
• tell stories through song in all sung languages easily and fluently, demonstrating translation skills and the ability to analyze poetry, and to deliver text in ways that are expressive and meaningful using skills gained in Performance Seminar, graduate-level diction courses, and repertoire coaching;
• express physical artistry in any performance setting through an easy use of the body drawing on work in performance skills courses, elective acting and movement classes, and Alexander Technique;
• research, perform, and appreciate the music of living and underrepresented composers;
• market and establish themselves whether in a private studio or an institutional teaching position, where they will instruct students in a wide range of styles; and
• envision and create a musical life that is best suited to their skills, interests and personal mission.

Graduates of our vocal pedagogy program have brought their teaching and performance expertise to numerous music programs through a wide range of performance opportunities, fellowships, and faculty appointments.

Ensembles

• Boston City Singers
• Children's Opera, Boston Conservatory at Berklee
• United States Army Field Band

Faculty Appointments

• Boston Conservatory at Berklee
• Brown University
• Clark University
• Dean College
• Franco-American Vocal Academy
• Franklin School of the Performing Arts
• Metropolitan Opera Guild
• Newark Boys Chorus School
• Northeastern University
• Phillips Academy
• Riverside Theater Works
• South Shore Conservatory
• Trinity International University
• Wellesley School District

Professional Singing

• Des Moines Metro Opera
• Handel and Haydn Society
• Boston Baroque
• Boston Opera Collaborative
• Odyssey Opera
• Charlotte Bach Akademie
• Oregon Bach Festival
• Britten Pears Festival
• Carmel Bach Festival
• Blue Heron
• Metrowest Opera
• Lyric Stage Company of Boston