Vocal Studies

The Voice Studies faculty at Morgan are respected in the arts professional community and maintain strong relationships with renowned colleagues in the industry. These relationships and professional networks directly impact the success of our students as acclaimed artists regularly visit our program.

Our students have trained with guest clinicians such as John Aler, Angela Brown, Denyce Graves, Ben Holt, Robert Honeysucker, Mark Markham, Edrie Means-Weekly, Willis Patterson, Leontyne Price, William Ray, Kevin Short, Louise Toppin, William Warfield and many others.

pictured: Vocal Studies student with Denyce Graves

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.A. DEGREE IN MUSIC

A minimum of 120 credit hours are required to graduate with a B.A. in Music. These credit hours are distributed as follows:

• General Education and University Requirements:  43 credits
• Liberal Arts Core Requirements:   6 credits
• Required Core Courses for the Music Major:   46 credits
• Required Music Track Requirements:  25 credits

TOTAL CREDITS: 120

View sample course sequence.

Core courses for students pursuing a B.A. in Music on the Vocal Studies track include:

Class Piano I-IV: This course series provides class instruction in the fundamentals of beginner to advanced keyboard technique for music majors needing study on an elementary level. Open to all majors until satisfaction of the basic requirements for teaching certificate in the State of Maryland have been met.

Opera Workshop: This course introduces opera performance to students. Students will learn standard operatic repertoire, staging, and acting, culminating in a performance for the department at the end of the semester. Course is required of all Vocal Majors.

Conducting: This course analyzes baton technique, principles, and challenges of choral and instrumental conducting.

VIEW ADDITIONAL REQUIRED COURSES

"Our students learn the skill of artistry in everything they do...in their singing, in the way they present themselves at an audition,  and in the performance opportunities they have as a student here. They are artists and they develop those skills throughout their time here."

- Ms. Marquita Lister, Voice Faculty

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Vocal studies majors perform throughout the semester for juries, concerts, and monthly recitals as a soloist and with University ensembles. Additional performances may include department wide productions and off campus performances for students who meet the audition standards. Outstanding student musicians may also be eligible to participate in intercollegiate ensembles and competitions regionally, nationally, and abroad.

**Additional graduation requirements include enrollment in private lessons, senior recital, and passing the piano proficiency examination.**

Review the Academic Course Catalog

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES: MSU OPERA WORKSHOP

Opera Workshop is open to all students for audition. Students gain on-stage experience in opera scenes, Opera Gala Concerts, fully-staged productions with piano and/or with orchestral accompaniment.

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES: UNIVERSITY CHOIR

Morgan State University Choir is an world-renowned and commercially recorded choral ensemble. The choir performs regularly nationally and internationally at cermonial events for world leaders, dignitaries, and etc.

AUDITION (Undergraduate & Graduate)

AUDITION DATES

2024 Auditions will be by video submissions only.  NO in-person auditions.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Students must have applied to the University before they can schedule an audition.
2. Students should prepare the following:
   1. Two contrasting selections. All genres of music are welcome.
   2. One selection in a foreign language is preferred, but not required.
3. Complete a Prospective Vocal Studies Student form.

Recording Requirements

Videos accepted via YouTube, Google Drive file, or Vimeo link no later than April 13, 2024.  Students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the deadline.

• Accompaniment is encouraged, but not required.  Digital tracks of a piano accompaniment are also acceptable.
• The recordings should be unaltered.
• Announce the title and composer before each piece.
• Please note that a virtual interview may be required for students seeking financial support.

Email all audition video links to marquita.lister@morgan.edu.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Soloman Howard, Bass with The Metropolitan Opera
B.A. Music (Voice), Class of 2008

Leah Hawkins, Soprano with The Metropolitan Opera & Washington National Opera
B.A. Music (Voice), Class of 2013

Issachah Savage, Tenor with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis
B.A. Music (Voice), Class of 2003

SOPRANOS

Elizabeth Norman (Chicago Lyric)
Kishna Davis (New York City Opera)

COUNTER-TENORS

G.Thomas Allen (LA Opera)
Kenneth Alston (Three Mo'Tenors)
Patrick Dailey (Pacific Opera Project)
Cortez Mitchell (Chaniticleer)

BARITONE

Ben Taylor (Opera Theatre of St. Louis)

BASS

Kevin Short (The Metropolitan Opera)