The Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ City University prepares emerging singers for successful careers on the operatic stage, in the concert hall, and beyond through intensive vocal study, individualized mentorship, and exceptional performance opportunities. Students develop technical excellence, artistic versatility, and professional musicianship through coursework in vocal literature, diction, pedagogy, acting, and performance while working closely with distinguished voice faculty, coaches, and conductors. This comprehensive approach equips graduates with the skills needed for advanced study and the evolving demands of today’s professional vocal landscape.
Vocal Performance majors benefit from one of the nation’s most vibrant collegiate performance environments. Students regularly perform with the acclaimed ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Opera & Music Theater Company (the world's oldest campus troupe dedicated to both opera and music theater), which presents a six-production season each year alongside extensive choral, chamber, and solo opportunities. Supported by more than 250 annual performances across the School of Music, vocalists gain substantial stage experience while preparing for careers in performance and teaching. OCU’s long tradition of excellence is reflected in alumni who have performed with many of the world’s leading opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and La Scala.
The degree plan below shows the courses required for completion of a Bachelor of Music in Music Theater. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.
All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours. Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. Students must receive credit for six semesters of Music Assembly. Students must attain the required proficiency and performance levels as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog.
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 1112 | Theory I | 2 |
| MUS 1122 | Aural Skills I | 2 |
| AMV 1372 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| AMA 1571 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| DICT 1152 | English Diction | 2 |
| OMT 1381 | Opera Music Theater Performer's Lab | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 14 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 1212 | Theory II | 2 |
| MUS 1222 | Aural Skills II | 2 |
| AMV 1472 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| AMA 1671 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| DICT 1252 | Italian Diction | 2 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 2112 | Theory III | 2 |
| MUS 2122 | Aural Skills III | 2 |
| AMV 1372 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| AMA 1771 | Class Piano III | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| THRE 1403 | Acting I | 3 |
| MUS 1123 | Music and the Human Experience | 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 35XX | Theory Topical Course | 2 |
| AMV 1472 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| AMA 1871 | Class Piano IV | 1 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| THRE 1503 | Acting II | 3 |
| MUS 3133 | Writing About Music | 3 |
| DICT 2352/2252 | German or French Diction | 2 |
| Advisor-Approved Elective | 1 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 4233 | Musicology Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 3142 | Conducting Fundamentals | 2 |
| AMV 1372 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| MUED 3302 | Vocal Pedagogy | 2 |
| DANC | Dance Technique | 1 |
| AMV 3441 | Junior Recital | 1 |
| Gen Ed & Lab | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 35XX | Theory Topical Course | 2 |
| MUS 3442 | °ä´Ç²Ô»å³Ü³¦³Ù¾±²Ô²µâ€”V´Ç³¦²¹±ô | 2 |
| AMV 1472 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 4112 | Forms & Analysis | 2 |
| AMV 1372 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Advisor-Approved Electives | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 4423 | Vocal Literature Seminar | 3 |
| AMV 1472 | Applied Voice | 2 |
| MUEN | Major Ensemble | 1 |
| AMV 4441 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 16 |
*All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.
All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. Students must receive credit for six semesters of Music Assembly in their first six semesters at OKCU. Students must attain the required performance levels as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Required Courses: 22 Hours
Philosophy/Ethics: 3 Credit Hours
Literature: 3 Credit Hours
Mathematics: 3 Credit Hours
Social Science: 3 Credit Hours
Modern Language: 6 Credit Hours
Service Learning
The Arts and Cross-Cultural Study
After beginning coursework at OKCU, students may transfer up to 12 credit hours of general education courses from another institution.
All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
ENGL 1113 Composition I
ENGL 1213 Composition II
POLS 1113 Governance in America
LAS 1063 Liberal Arts Seminar**
HIST 1003/1103 US History to/Since 1876
REL 1003/2513 The Bible & Culture/Intro to World Religions
SCI 1003 & 1041 Methods of Science Inquiry & Integrated Science Lab
**Transfer students with at least 29 transferable hours (excluding CLEP, AP and IB credit) may substitute a single course of three or more credit hours for the LAS requirement. This course may be from the OKCU curriculum or transferred from another university. It may not meet any other degree requirement.
PHIL/REL 2163 Moral Issues In Contemporary Culture
PHIL/REL 2213 Moral And Social Philosophy
MGMT 2223/PHIL 2203 Business Ethics And Leadership
PHIL/PHRH 2513 Ethics Of Communication,
-or-
PHIL/REL 2703 Christian Ethics
ENGL 2103 Western Literature
ENGL 2603 World Literature
ENGL 2403/2413/2703 Survey of British Literature
ENGL 2713/2813 Survey of American Literature
MATH 1503 College Algebra
PSYC 2303/POLS 2303/SOC 2303 Statistics For Behavioral Sciences
Econ 2123 Business Statistics
-or-
a higher level math course
PSYC 1113 Intro to Psychology
SOC 2013 Intro to Sociology
-or-
ECON 2113 Principles of Microeconomics
Six Hours (Through Beginner II Level) in A Single Language;
-or-
Four Years (Eight Semesters) of A Single Language in High School;
-or-
Equivalent Competency as Determined by the Department of Modern Language;
-or-
For international students whose first language is other than English, a TOEFL score of 550 or above (equivalent score on the IBT is 80 or above). Online coursework will not be accepted.
See course schedule each semester for courses approved as service learning courses.
The arts study requirement is satisfied by any course beginning with the prefix MUS. The cross-cultural study requirement is fulfilled by:
REL 2513 Introduction to World Religions
ENGL 2603 World Literature
-or-
MUS 1123 Music and the Human Experience.
OCU's ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Opera and Music Theater Company is the world's oldest campus troupe dedicated to both opera and music theater and has won multiple awards, most recently at the 2017 National Opera Association Production Competition. Dr. David Herendeen, director of opera and music theater since 1997, won awards for three different productions in a single season — the first time one director has done so.
On April 4, 1930, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ City University presented its first musical production: Gilbert and Sullivan's "HMS Pinafore." As OCU's talent pool and audiences grew over the next two decades, the university established the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Opera and Music Theater Company. In 1951, it mounted the first of what has become 74 consecutive seasons of fully staged productions.
After hundreds of performances of 170 different operas and musicals, we look back in gratitude at the half-million people who have attended shows on campus or on one of our international tours. We realize that the best way to build on the successes of the past is to confidently embrace the future. Our audiences enjoy the nation's most dynamic young performers, innovative stagings, and a repertoire that combines the comfort of the familiar with the thrill of the unexplored.
– Prescreen Recording: Applicants will be contacted by the music admissions team upon submitting their prescreen recording to the University Application on Slate. The prescreen recording will include singing three vocal classical or art songs (one English, one Early Italian, one of the applicants choice), with accompaniment required, 60-90 seconds each. Requirements for the prescreen recording can be found here.
– Final Audition: Vocal Performance applicants called back for a final audition (same requirements as above). An accompanist will be provided, free of charge. Review the Vocal Performance requirements on our auditions info page for precise details and recommendations.
