Voice

Opera

The Blair School of Music offers three undergraduate programs in the study of voice:  the Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance, the Bachelor of Music Integrated Studies degree which includes the Teacher Education track, and the Bachelor of Musical Arts degree. 

The voice department specializes in instruction in applied voice, vocal literature, chamber music, lyric diction, vocal pedagogy, and performance practice and style. Blair offers a comprehensive opera training program, producing fully staged productions with orchestra and instruction in acting, stage combat, improvisation and the Alexander Technique.

  • Blair Voice Majors and Graduate Programs

    Blair voice majors have been accepted into graduate performance programs at Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Cincinnati University, Eastman School of Music, Emory University, Florida State University, Indiana University, The Manhattan School of Music, The Mannheim Conservatory-Germany, New England Conservatory, Northwestern University, Peabody Conservatory, Rice University, San Francisco Conservatory, Texas Christian University, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Kansas Conservatory, University of Maryland-College Park, University of Southern California, University of Texas-Austin and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  • Blair Graduate Accomplishments

    Blair graduates have performed with AIMS-Graz Austria, Amato Opera, Berkshire Opera, Central City Opera, Des Moines Metropolitan Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Lincoln Center Summer Music Festival, North Shore Music Theatre, Ohio Light Opera, Opera Astoria Music Festival, Opera Theatre of Lucca, Italy, Sarasota Opera and Texas Chamber Opera.

  • The Mary Cortner Ragland Trust

    The Voice Department at the Blair School of Music is home to the Mary Cortner Ragland Trust, which, since its inception in 2002, has brought the following world-renowned artists, teachers and coaches in recital and master classes to the Blair School for the enrichment of our students and the greater Nashville community:

    • Reginald Mobley, countertenor
    • Alice Coote, mezzo-soprano
    • Lawrence Brownlee, tenor
    • Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano
    • Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano
    • Warren Jones, piano
    • Eric Owens, baritone
    • Kenneth Griffiths, collaborative piano
    • Dean Southern, Distant Voices presentation
    • Audra McDonald, soprano
    • Thomas Hampson, baritone
    • Roger Vignoles, collaborative piano
    • Renee Fleming, soprano
    • Dawn Upshaw, soprano
    • Bo Skovhus, baritone
    • Ian Bostridge, tenor
    • Jennifer Larmore, mezzo-soprano
    • Martin Katz, collaborative piano
    • Margo Garrett, collaborative piano
    • Julius Drake, piano
    • Barbara Honn, soprano
    • Julie Simson, mezzo-soprano

Pre-screening & Audition Repertoire Requirements

All applicants must complete a pre-screening video according to their program (instrument, voice, composition or jazz.) Pre-screening requirements are the same regardless of your specific major of interest. For example: all voice applicants will follow the vocal requirements below no matter what they plan to major in (Performance, Integrated Studies, or along the Musical Arts degree.) Once the admissions process is complete, admitted students will notify us of their intended specific major. You can learn more about these majors here. Jazz applicants should follow the specific Jazz requirements for pre-screening and audition on their primary instrument or voice.

All applicants should feel free to reach out to Blair Admissions with audition repertoire questions.

  • Recommended Audition Repertoire for the Voice Department
    • A 20th or 21st century British, American or Canadian art song (in English), memorized (prescreening and audition)
    • A foreign language art song, memorized (prescreening and audition)
    • An additional art song, or an opera, operetta or oratorio aria, in English or a foreign language, memorized (prescreening and audition)
    • Monologue, memorized (prescreening and audition), chosen from these four provided options. 

    Please be prepared to sight-read a vocal line at the piano, and complete sight-singing (for audition only.) In addition to the requirements listed above, Voice applicants are encouraged to share any background and experience with instrumental study, as applicable, on their Music Resume (private instruction, ensembles, etc.)

     A change in repertoire for the audition must follow guidelines above. Please contact Blair Admissions with any questions.

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Our Mission

At the end of their tenure at Blair, our voice students will:

1. Demonstrate Excellence in Musical Fluency
Sing healthily, with ease, and with an informed technical understanding, not only of their physical instrument, but also how to interpret text through compelling storytelling in all settings.

2. Exhibit Leadership as Citizen Artists
Seek always to be versatile artists who integrate themselves into, and serve their community through their craft.

3. Possess a Foundation in Communication, Marketing, and Practical Skills
Depart Blair equipped with the basic skills of entrepreneurship and arts advocacy, with an ability to navigate an ever-evolving artistic life.

4. Have Confidence in What Comes Next
Will have engaged fully in both the music and liberal arts curriculum in order to establish a strong post graduate intention and path. 

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