Equal parts knowledgeable, healthy voice instruction; solid, interesting course offerings and unique, exciting performance opportunities make a reputable, solid voice program.
Within a student-centered curriculum and environment, we strive to nurture the development of each student's unique voice. Our degree programs provide a comprehensive study of vocal instruction and pedagogy, as well as performance effectiveness, repertory and vocal health.
An Outstanding Faculty
Because of their diverse careers, backgrounds and interests, Kent State University’s voice faculty brings a wide variety of strengths to the world of vocal instruction. Their combined one hundred years of study, instruction and performing provide teaching and ideas uncommon in most university settings.
| Marla Berg | Timothy Culver, Division Coordinator |
| Kishna Fowler | Maria Jacobs-Schaber, Jazz Voice |
| Sandra Ross | Lara Troyer |
| Jay White |
Stimulating Course Offerings
As a fully accredited institution, Kent State offers standard courses, such as Vocal Pedagogy, Singer’s Diction and Vocal Literature. In addition, the faculty is also actively engaged in creating courses outside of these which are beneficial to the students and showcase the unique talents and interests of the faculty. In the past, students have had the opportunity to enroll in American Song Literature, Audition Techniques, Baroque Ornamentation and a class on Fach entitled “A Guide to Operatic Arias”.
Distinctive Performances
Each year, the voice and opera departments work collaboratively to create singing engagements both on and off the university campus. In the recent past, Kent State has partnered with Cleveland Opera Theatre and Solon Center for the Arts in performances of I Pagliacci, Madama Butterfly, La Traviata and Il Tabarro.
Within the School of Music, we offer a scenes program every fall allowing singers to focus on stagecraft and the art of learning operatic repertoire. Each spring, we alternate between a fully-staged opera production complete with orchestra, costumes and sets and a musical operatic recital showcasing our students alongside faculty and alumni. Additionally, we present smaller, chamber and children’s operas which are toured throughout the region. These educational presentations are done in area schools to teach young art lovers about the wonder and beauty of opera’s four hundred year history.
Degrees and Programs Offered
Majors
| B.A. Music Major | B.M. in Composition |
| B.M. Music Education | B.M. in Performance |
| M.M. in Performance |
Minors
| Music Minor | Jazz Studies Minor |
| World Music Minor | Arts Entrepreneurship Minor |
Questions or want more information?
Contact
Glauser School Admissions
musicadmissions@kent.edu | 330-672-2172
Admission Requirements
- Complete an application for admission to Kent State University.
- Complete an audition for admission to the Glauser School of Music.
English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students:
All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a
- Minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version),
- Minimum 75 MELAB score,
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score,
- Minimum 48 PTE score or
- Minimum 100 DET score; or by completing the ESL level 112 Intensive Program.
For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Undergraduate Requirements (B.A. and B.M.)
Voice Major:
Concentration in: Performance or Music Education
- One song with English text. Must be memorized.
- One non-English song. Must be memorized. Examples of possible composers are below.
- Italian: Scarlatti, Caldara, Donaudy, Giordani, Bononcini, Monteverdi, Carlissimi, Gluck, Handel, Marcello, Pergolesi, Lotti.
- German: Brahms, Schubert, Schumann.
- French: Debussy, Faure.
- If the candidate does not have a foreign language song, they may perform a second song in English.
- Candidates are requested to provide their own accompanist. If this is not possible, an accompaniment track is acceptable.
- Demonstration of sight-reading proficiency and pitch-matching.
- For those submitting a video audition, a member of the voice faculty will reach out to you to complete this step.
- Suitable voice audition repertory is listed on the Ohio Music Education Association's “Solo and Small Ensemble” repertory list, available from your high school choral director.
Music Minor
- Classical repertoire (works by composers such as Barber, Scarlatti, Monteverdi, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, etc.) is required.
- Suitable voice audition repertory is listed on the Ohio Music Education Association's “Solo and Small Ensemble” repertory list, available from your high school choral director.
- If you have questions about acceptable selections reach out to Timothy Culver, voice division coordinator, at tculver@kent.
- Two contrasting memorized selections (preferably one in a non-English language).
- The audition needs to be accompanied by either a pianist or an accompaniment track.
- Auditionees will be asked to do some sight-reading and pitch-matching.
- For those submitting a video audition, a member of the voice faculty will reach out to you to complete this step.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for unconditional admission.
- 3.0 GPA out of a 4.0 scale for unconditional admission.
- Official transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of career goals
- Resumé
- Audition
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 74 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 Duolingo test score
Graduate Requirements
- Present a variety of languages and a variety of performance styles.
- Typically, songs or arias presented are from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century repertory and include an oratorio aria or an opera aria.
- Candidates are requested to provide their own accompanist. If this is not possible, a recording of the accompaniment is acceptable.
- Additionally, candates will be asked to demonstrate musical sight-reading ability and proficiency in Italian, German, and French diction through poetic excerpts.
- 2023 Auditions: For those submitting a video audition, a member of the voice faculty will reach out to you to complete this step.
