The vocal/choral department at Furman University offers conservatory-level training within the context of an outstanding academic institution. At Furman, you’ll enjoy a national caliber liberal arts education while receiving outstanding training in music. Furman University offers three degree programs in the study of voice: Bachelor of Music Performance degree; Bachelor of Music Education (Choral) degree; and Bachelor of Arts degree.
Vocal / Choral
Vocal Study
In addition to applied voice, Furman offers specialized courses in lyric diction, vocal pedagogy, vocal literature, choral conducting, chamber music, Alexander Technique, dance and acting. Furman’s Lyric Theatre program showcases full productions each year, featuring undergraduates in leading roles, chorus and orchestra. Our students prepare for a career in music by receiving professional level coaching and stage direction. Recent full productions with orchestra include Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon and My Fair Lady, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Menotti’s The Medium, Massenet’s Cendrillon and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. In addition, Furman mounts large-scale choral works with orchestra each semester using student soloists. All oratorio and opera productions are performed in McAlister Auditorium, a 2,000 seat proscenium style theatre.
Furman voice majors have gone on to the top music conservatories and universities including the Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, Boston University, Peabody Conservatory, Indiana University, University of Michigan, New England Conservatory, and San Francisco Conservatory. Current students and graduates have participated in AIMS-Graz Austria, Bel Canto (Florence, Italy), Lyrique-en-mer (Festival Belle-Ile, France), SongFest (Los Angeles), and Franco-American Vocal Academy (FAVA). Recent graduates have won spots in the top young artist programs including the Ryan Opera Center (Lyric Opera Chicago), Merola Opera Program (San Francisco Opera), Santa Fe Opera, and the Jette Parker Young Artist Program (Royal Opera House, London). Furman currently has three alumni on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera.
Vocal Area Resources
- IPA Source (https://www.ipasource.com/)
International Phonetic Alphabet - NATS (https://www.nats.org/)
National Association of Teachers of Singing - Classical Singer (https://www.csmusic.net/)
- YAP Tracker (https://www.yaptracker.com/)
- IMSLP Scores (https://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page)
International Music Score Library Project
Contact a Voice Professor
Interested in voice lessons, opera, lyric theater or membership in a choral ensemble? We would like to talk with you!
Lyric Theater
Furman’s Lyric Theater program showcases full productions each year, featuring undergraduates in leading roles, the chorus and the orchestra.
Choral Ensembles
We have a place for you! Our three primary choral ensembles are open to majors and non-majors by audition.
Youth and Adult Programs
Voice Day
October 7, 2023
Open to students in grades 8-12 who are interested in studying voice and sharpening their performance skills. This one-day workshop will prepare students for competition, college auditions, and school performances. Sessions are available for both teachers and students.
Church Music Conference
January 16-18, 2024
Guest Clinician: Tom Trenney: Composer, conductor, organist, preacher, and teacher – Minister of Music to First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska
For: College and adult music directors, organists, pianists, conductors, choir members and church music enthusiasts.
Young Artist Vocal Experience
July 7-12, 2024
YAVE is an intensive one-week summer workshop for talented singers ages 14-18. Board or Commute. Vocal styles taught: musical theater, opera, sacred, art song, oratorio. Participants have the opportunity to develop their skills through voice classes, acting classes, master classes, student recitals, faculty recitals, alumni recitals and special topic sessions. Instructors are Furman University voice faculty and Furman vocal performance alumni. Private lessons are available for an additional fee. LEARN MORE ABOUT YAVE.