Degrees Available

• Bachelor of Music in Performance
• Master of Music in Performance
• Doctor of Music in Performance

• For more information on degrees, visit our Degrees Page.
• For complete curricular information, download the Bienen School's Undergraduate Student Handbook or the Graduate Student Handbook.
• Application Requirements and Audition Requirements
• For admission information, visit Music Admission and Financial Aid.

About the Voice and Opera Program

The Voice and Opera Program at Northwestern University has a long and illustrious history. Today, program alumni fill the ranks of opera houses and university faculties worldwide. Recent graduates include Met Grand Finals Winner Paul Corona, (BM06), Tucker Foundation Grant Winner Amanda Majeski, (BM06), and Met Finalist and San Francisco Opera Merola participant, Matt Hanscom (BM07).

The Voice and Opera faculty collaborates to offer students a wide variety of course offerings that promote a strong technical and pedagogical foundation. Students receive weekly vocal instruction and, in addition, upperclassmen participate in weekly musical preparation sessions with the coaching staff. 

Students have access to a wide variety of performing opportunities including opera, recital, vocal solo class, master classes, studio classes and musical theater. All students are welcome to audition for the operas, two of which are fully staged, subtitled, and accompanied by full orchestra. The thriving music scene in downtown Chicago, only twelve miles from campus, offers many other performance possibilities.

The Bienen School of Music offers a number of special programs. Undergraduates may pursue double degrees (music plus an outside field) or an Ad Hoc (self-designed) major.  The faculty encourages and supports students interested in these opportunities. Select students may take advantage throughout the year of the many on-campus auditions offered by visiting opera companies and elite summer programs.

All entering Doctor of Music students receive the equivalent of full tuition funding.

Should you have questions about the Voice and Opera program, please feel free to contact any faculty member or the admission office.

Campus Visits

To learn more about voice and opera at Northwestern, please schedule a campus visit by emailing the Office of Music Admission and Financial Aid. Visitors may sit in on voice and opera classes, lessons with various voice teachers and vocal coaches, opera and choral rehearsals, and weekly vocal solo class.

Operas

November 9, 11	2012	Two one-act chamber operas: Bastianello (John Musto) and Lucrezia (William Bolcom)
February 22. 24, 28, March 2	2013	The Grapes of Wrath (Ricky Ian Gordon)
May 24, 25	2013	L’incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea) (Claudio Monteverdi)

Master Classes

Master classes will be announced throughout the academic year. Previous master clinicians have included: Thomas Hampson, Mignon Dunn, Renée Fleming, Elly Ameling, Regine Crespin, Ricky Ian Gordon, Grace Bumbry, Diana Soviero, Julius Rudel, Renata Scotto, Tito Capobianco, Tony Randall, Richard Pearlman, and Denyce Graves.

The following video of a master class is from our Davee Media Library, a video, audio, and photographic collection of performances, master classes, and documentaries.

Video: Vocal Master Class by Renée Fleming (August 2009) The incomparable Renée Fleming coaches singers from the Bienen School of Music voice program in front of a full house at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Singers include Ashleigh Semkiw, soprano; Jessica Best, mezzo-soprano; John Eric Rutherford, tenor; and Nikolas Wenzel, bass.

Other Performing Outlets

• Musical theater productions
• Vocal solo class
• Studio classes
• Concerto competition
• Oratorio and concert repertoire with various choral, orchestral, and other instrumental organizations who perform frequently
• Freshman Musicale, organized by the freshman class

Contact for further information:

• Kurt Hansen, coordinator, Voice and Opera Program: kurtsingsbach@gmail.com