The Voice and Opera Program offers a sequence of opera classes to both undergraduate and graduate students, while a number of other university programs in the United States are geared only to graduate students. Acceptance into Northwestern's Voice and Opera program is highly competitive. The more than 350 hopeful young voice students who audition throughout the year at Lutkin Hall are vying for only 45 to 50 openings per academic year. Many of our students were accepted to other music schools as well, but they chose to come to Northwestern because of our fine program. In addition to the wealth of knowledge and support provided by the Voice and Opera Program, students also benefit from the resources of the School of Music, including the school's academic studies department faculty who teach music theory, history, technology, education, etc., as well as the University's French and Italian and German departments, Musical Theatre Program and School of Speech.
Undergraduates work toward a bachelor's degree in music.
Since opera is just one segment of classical music included in their course of study, undergraduates also study chamber music, choral music, oratorio and recital repertoire in order to learn a wide range of musical skills and styles. Juniors attend classes on Acting Techniques for Opera Singers. During senior year, students take Opera Lab where they plot out the basics of each opera scene and refine it, both musically and dramatically. All students take voice lessons throughout their undergraduate career. In addition to their classes, they are expected to practice at least an hour a day, depending on their school and performance schedules.