Vocal Studies

Learn everything about your application process:

The Bachelor of Music (BM) in History & Literature degree program at Baylor University enables students to take advantage of both the professional applied music setting within the School of Music and the interdisciplinary, humanistic environment of a major research university. The Musicology program focuses on helping students refine their skills in critical thinking, research, and writing, encouraging application of a broad range of approaches and methodologies.

Special strengths of Musicology at Baylor include our excellent teaching faculty, our small class sizes, and the personal attention our students receive both in and out of class. The faculty includes specialists in all eras of western music history; these professors also have expertise in Ethnomusicology, Opera Studies, Beethoven Studies, Latin American Music, and Performance Practice.

Resources

Undergraduate Vocal Audition Requirements

A pianist will be provided for your audition, though you may bring one with you if you desire.
Incoming freshmen should prepare a total of two classical solo songs of contrasting styles, one in English and one in a foreign language. All audition repertoire must be memorized.
All prospective undergraduate students will be asked to sight read a short musical phrase, as well as repeat short melodic passages (first played on the piano) to demonstrate tonal memory capabilities.
Transfer students should prepare three songs or arias representing differing styles and periods; one of these selections must be in a foreign language. The repertoire should represent the applicant's vocal growth and progress to date. If a prospective transfer student wishes to perform an aria from an oratorio, then this selection may be performed with music. However, the remaining two repertoire selections must be performed from memory.
Prospective students must bring all repertoire for in-person auditions. Please have all music in a three-ring binder and copied double-sided to more easily facilitate page turns.
All auditions will be video recorded for internal use only.

MM in Performance Vocal Audition Requirements

A minimum of five vocal selections - additional selections may be offered at the applicant's discretion.
At least three of the four major style periods must be represented - Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century/Contemporary.
English, French, German, and Italian languages must be represented.
Only two arias can be presented: one must be operatic and the other can be operatic or an oratorio/cantata aria. Both arias must represent contrasting style periods.
The remaining repertoire must consist of art song repertoire and should also represent a variety of styles.
All audition material, other than an oratorio/cantata selection (which may be performed with music), must be performed from memory.
Prospective students must bring all repertoire for in-person auditions. Please have all music in a three-ring binder and copied double-sided to more easily facilitate page turns.
All auditions will be video recorded for internal use only.

MM in Church Music (Vocal Performance) Audition Requirements

A minimum of three vocal selections - additional selections may be offered at the applicant’s discretion.
At least two art songs and/or arias in two languages other than English.
One aria from a major sacred oratorio or cantata.
No repertoire in a popular music style will be accepted for audition purposes.
Prospective students must bring all repertoire for in-person auditions. Please have all music in a three-ring binder and copied double-sided to more easily facilitate page turns.
All auditions will be video recorded for internal use only.

Dec

2024

Voice Audition

Julianne Best

Part-time Lecturer in Voice

Julianne Best

Part-time Lecturer in Voice

Julianne_Best@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 317

Robert Best, DMA

Associate Professor of Voice Recruiting Coordinator Voice Division

Robert Best, DMA

Associate Professor of Voice Recruiting Coordinator Voice Division

Robert_Best@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 302

Mark Diamond, DMA

Assistant Professor of Voice

Mark Diamond, DMA

Assistant Professor of Voice

Mark_Diamond@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 312

Kathleen Kelly

Assistant Professor of Vocal Coaching Baylor Opera Theater Music Faculty

Kathleen Kelly

Assistant Professor of Vocal Coaching Baylor Opera Theater Music Faculty

Kathleen_A_Kelly@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 310

Jeff MacMullen, DMA

Lecturer of Vocal Studies

Jeff MacMullen, DMA

Lecturer of Vocal Studies

jeff_macmullen@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 321

Morgan Manifacier, DMA

Assistant Professor of Voice

Morgan Manifacier, DMA

Assistant Professor of Voice

Morgan_Manifacier@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 306

Kimberly Monzon, DMA

Assistant Professor of Voice

Kimberly Monzon, DMA

Assistant Professor of Voice

Kimberly_Monzon@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 314

Personal Website

Corinne Penner, DMA

Visiting Lecturer in Collaborative Piano

Corinne Penner, DMA

Visiting Lecturer in Collaborative Piano

corinne_penner@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 220

Jen Stephenson, DMA

Assistant Clinical Professor Director of Baylor Opera Theater

Jen Stephenson, DMA

Assistant Clinical Professor Director of Baylor Opera Theater

Jennifer_Stephenson@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 301

Jamie Van Eyck, DMA

Associate Professor of Voice Vocal Studies Division Director

Jamie Van Eyck, DMA

Associate Professor of Voice Vocal Studies Division Director

Jamie_Van_Eyck@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 320

Dr. Van Eyck's extended biography, Personal Website

Deborah Williamson, DMA

Professor of Voice Voice Area Coordinator

Deborah Williamson, DMA

Professor of Voice Voice Area Coordinator

deborah_williamson@baylor.edu

Waco Hall East 318

BearShadow

College Fairs

Schmidt Vocal Competition

Who do I contact about general undergraduate admissions questions?

If I am accepted to the University, am I automatically accepted into the School of Music?

No. Getting into the School of Music is a dual-acceptance process. All students desiring to pursue a degree in music must apply to both Baylor University and the School of Music in addition to completing an audition (audition dates are selected on the School of Music application).

On campus audition days provide an opportunity for students to display their abilities and to meet the faculty. The audition day also provides an opportunity to have questions answered concerning the School of Music, the admissions process, student financial aid, housing, campus life and other aspects of being a music student at Baylor.

Am I required to audition for the School of Music to play in the band or orchestra, or to sing in a choir as a non-music major?

No. School of Music auditions are not required if your only desire is to perform in the bands, orchestras, or choirs. However, the band, orchestra, and choir directors do audition students for placement into those ensembles. These placement auditions often occur in August, right before classes start. For more information, see Ensemble Audition Information.

What do I do if I cannot attend a scheduled audition day?

What do I wear to my audition?

Is it possible to double major?

What about solo performance opportunities?

Opportunities for solo performance are strongly encouraged and include weekly studio classes and departmental recitals, which provide a format for students to present single works. Convocations showcase superior student performers in recitals attended by the entire School of Music student body. In their Junior and Senior Recitals, performance majors present partial and entire concert programs, respectively. Special Recitals are often presented by ambitious students in addition to the degree requirement recitals. Master Classes with guest artists are held every year as well.

The School of Music also has competition opportunities for aspiring soloists and chamber performers. Each year, one winner is selected from the Concerto Competition to perform a solo work with the Baylor Symphony Orchestra. Every other year multiple soloists and chamber groups are selected as Semper Pro Musica Competition winners and travel to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall.

Will I have access to faculty members who can assist me in my professional development?

From the time you enter the Baylor University School of Music, you will be able to confer with full-time faculty members. All music majors and secondary majors will study one-on-one each week with a faculty member. Faculty advisors will help develop a plan for each upcoming semester during a School of Music advisement period that precedes pre-registration. Members of the faculty are also available by appointment to counsel and advise you throughout the semester when you have questions.

How will I know if I get a scholarship or other financial aid?

Students receive notification of their financial aid status from the University. If a student is selected to receive a music scholarship, they will receive a separate notification from the School of Music via email and will be asked to respond to verify acceptance of the scholarship. No notification letters are sent in the event that a student does not qualify for a music scholarship.

Who do I contact about general graduate admissions questions?

If I am accepted to the University, am I automatically accepted into the School of Music?

What do I do if I cannot attend a scheduled audition day?

Is it possible to double major?

Do I have to submit GRE scores?

How will I know if I get a graduate assistantship?

Graduate Associate positions (graduate assistantships) are awarded based on the recommendation of the faculty in the student's major area. Decisions typically begin to be made about March 1 and may take up to two months to complete. Candidates will be notified of their status by email as soon as possible after this has been determined.

Students who are awarded Graduate Associate positions will be asked to sign and return a contract. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies of the School of Music will make the official notice of Graduate Associate position awards in writing. Any discussion of Graduate Associate position awards or assignments prior to that notice, or by any other persons, shall be considered preliminary and unofficial.

If I am accepted to both the Graduate School and the School of Music, but do not receive a music graduate assistantship, are other financial aid options available?

For international applicants, what is the English-language proficiency requirement?

International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL or IELTS scores. Baylor's Institution Code: 6032.

Minimum TOEFL scores for master's degrees are: 550 paper, 213 computer-based, 80 internet-based. The minimum IELTS score for master's degrees is 6.5. Minimum DuoLingo score is 125.

Minimum TOEFL scores for doctoral degrees are: 600 paper, 250 computer-based, 100 internet-based. Comparable scores on the IELTS or PTE exams may also be submitted for doctoral degrees.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement under the following circumstances:

You have a conferred degree from an institution in the United States
Your degree was issued from an institution where the medium of instruction is English.

No one will be admitted who does not meet these minimum standards because we want students to be successful academically as well as in a performance area.

Once I have been accepted, when can I register for classes?

What are Diagnostic Exams?

During the week preceding the semester in which a graduate student enrolls he/she will take music theory and music history diagnostic exams. Appropriate remedial course work may be required as a result of the exams. In addition, graduate students with majors in vocal performance, collaborative piano, and church music with vocal performance emphasis will be tested over their knowledge of Italian, German, and French lyric diction. If the student is deficient in any of these languages he/she will be expected to enroll in an appropriate diction course. See the Graduate Music Handbook for more information on the exams and how to prepare for them.

First-year and transfer School of Music admissions decisions (March)	Admissions decisions are sent via email and updated in GoBaylor accounts
School of Music Merit Scholarship offers (March)	Scholarship offers are send via email provided on School of Music application
First-year Decision Deadline (May 1)	Commit to Baylor by depositing at website

Voice

Vocal Studies

Learn everything about your application process:

BM in History and Literature

BM in History and Literature

Resources

Voice Audition Information

Voice Faculty

Events for Prospective Students

Undergraduate Admissions FAQs

Graduate Admissions FAQs

School of Music

Vocal Studies

Learn everything about your application process:

BM in History and Literature

Resources

Additional Opportunities

How to Apply

Step 1: Start your Baylor University application

Step 2: Submit your School of Music application

Step 3: Audition

Decisions Timeline

Scholarship & Financial Aid Information

Scholarships

Financial Aid

Voice Audition Information

Voice Faculty

Events for Prospective Students

Undergraduate Admissions FAQs

Graduate Admissions FAQs

School of Music