Should he press for a classical muic performance career without an undergraduate degree? (Details in question)
Let me start by saying I am NOT anti-education in the field of classical music. I am enrolled in a masters program for vocal performance. Probably getting my doctorate, but I haven't crossed that barrier yet.
I have a friend who's a baritone. He is by far (and I am serious) one of the best baritones I have EVER heard in my life. Even famous ones. Seen people in tears because of his gift constantly after performances. I've seen him make a huge opera patron cry from Germany, a man with a very hard exterior. He's won competitions, but he started very late, and took a long break after a voice teacher said something that broke his heart (something to the effect of...you'll never make it). He got back in the scene in his 30's (particularly latter 30's). Now he's in his early 40's. The prime of his vocal life.
He believes his has slim chances of having a career without an undergraduate degree in vocal performance. It gets is confidence down and he isn't pushing himself as he should.
2008-06-02T05:14:46Z
Now he's thinking about going back to school. Even looking into his masters. Problem is, by the time he gets out he will be about 50 years old. How will he develop a singing career at that age? A good friend of mine studying for her doctorate said he should just forget it and work on strictly singing without the degree. I think time is ticking also. He is better diction-wise and vocal wise than most people with Masters degrees and up. But he is hung up on that degree and not having one. He also thinks people will expect more from him, since his look is not what people expect. He thinks he needs more accolades to balance how he looks. I don't fully agree. He is a tall heavy set African American. His build would fit into villain or fatherly type baritone roles.
What do you think? I see his point, but then again I don't. He is very knowledgeable about the classical world. He's no fluke. Should he forgo his degree and shoot for a career? Honesty please. I will share thoughts with him.
2008-06-02T06:27:10Z
Thanks Edik. He can read and he's bee studying.
2008-06-02T06:28:12Z
I meant been studying. My son threw me off asking me a question while I was typing. LOL!
2008-06-02T09:34:47Z
Wonderful answers and aspects to this question. Forgive my typos! I didn't bother to proof read my question. Shame on me!
2008-06-03T11:29:22Z
Il Tenore, funny you mention FIRST Germont from La Traviata. He's sung some of this role with a small opera company that does scenes from this opera. He believes this is his ROLE. It fits him like a glove.
Anya2008-06-02T06:26:32Z
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Hi Ms. Chick, I'm no professional. But IMHO, I think he should just go for a career without the degree. There will be people who would ask about his credentials or be skeptical about his abilities, I'm sure, but if he has such a great vocal gift, does it really matter? There are many more graduands who don't have a gift like his, and who are struggling to make a career out of performance without ending up teaching most of the time. I don't know how opera houses do auditions, but I do know that for instrumentalists, it's the quality of performance that counts more than degrees when it comes to the stage. Many conservatories don't care what certificates you've achieved. All they care about when you go for auditions, is whether you have the potential to be groomed into a fine performer, and whether your playing touches their hearts. The only time when paper qualifications matter is when you're applying for a job as a college/conservatory professor, for example.
I can see why he says his appearance would pose a problem, but then again, how many lucky souls are blessed with exquisite looks and voices at the same time? And as you said, there are roles that would suit his build. Be thankful that it isn't the other way round (looks but no voice). Could you possibly talk to him about your own experiences in casting, auditions, etc.? I believe that would help quite a bit. He's in the prime of his vocal life now, and if he lets the clock tick by going back to school...well... Now would be the best time to launch his career if he wants to get anywhere, unless he wants to be primarily a vocal teacher after graduating (which is very likely to happen).
Alternatively, if he's really concerned about it, he could take specific courses that tailor to his needs. Diction courses, acting, stage movement, history, theory, etc. Basically the same skills that someone with a degree would have. I'm quite sure these courses are available separately (or are they not?). He could enrol part-time in a conservatory, and do performance together. Any of those would be better than going completely back to school for 4-6 years, given the time he has.
That's all I can offer, since I'm still very new to the vocal scene. Hope I helped somewhat, and I hope to hear your friend one day!
,This is not an easy question to answer. First, I would like to say that good looks doesn't seen to be very important for a male. Look at all of the Opera singers, Gene Simpson or Mick Jagger, now he is big time ugly. Second, would the degree help booster his self-esteem and make him feel better? I actually don't feel that he is too old and unless working gets in the way of his career, I would pursue the BA degree. A well rounded education is a good thing for many reasons; you speak better, write better,and can have more intellectual conversations. I would do both and it can be done because I did it. It wasn't easy and now that I look back I wonder how I did it, but I am very glad I did.
I know you are a knowledgeable voice teacher and an honest one...i understand the problem he has about the age...i truly believe he MUST try NOW to get a career by auditioning into a medium opera house. I trust when you say he has an amazing voice and sending him to school would be like throwing away the possibility of a voice career. The school he can come back later on and then get his degree in order to teach, there is no need for a degree to sing if he knows how to do it. Do I make any sense?
I encourage you to encourage him to audition in opera companies, does not need to be the Met or Houston Grand Opera, but needs to get out there and show to the contractors what he has. Again, I firmly believe he can go to school later in life to get a degree, that will not be a problem, but later in life (meaning after college) getting a singing career, that will be quite difficult or almost impossible.
Good luck to both!
Ps. Rep? Germont in Traviatta, maybe Scarpia in Tosca, Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, Verdi's Rigoletto
He doesn't NEED an undergrad degree in vocal performance to have a career. But even with multiple degrees, making a living as a professional singer is going to be very competitive, very hard, and will depend a LOT on his connections. (Things I'm sure you're well aware of!)
That said...does he have ANY undergraduate degree? Even in a non-music field. I ask because he could really consider going and getting a master's degree. If he's really as outstanding as it sounds, then he should be able to get in without a bachelor's degree. I have several friends who have done this. Even know a guy with a PhD in engineering who went back and got a master's in piano performance. It CAN be done.
But, he's going to need to make sure that he has the same "skills" as someone who completes a bachelor's degree program in music. Theory, aural skills, music history, etc. Most master's programs allow for students to take "remedial" classes in these areas, but it's going to be really hard if he doesn't know how to read music in more than just bass clef, for example.
Tell him to go for it! Find a GREAT teacher, take some lessons, and ask his/her advice.
If you've got the chops and it sounds like he does, then all he needs is exposure. If he were a tenor, it would be a no-brainer as the world is hungry for world-class tenors. The baritone field is more crowded. I have a friend who fits a similar profile, but he's a bass. We are now 50, and he covers at the Met.
It's not about the degree. Get out there sing for the people who hire talent, get an agent, but above all have fun!