Vocal Music

Vocal music students receive vocal training in classical style (four years) and are required to take music theory (Sight singing and music reading and writing, four years), a choir (four years) and class piano (sometimes combined with music theory). Electives include Show Choir, Jazz Vocal Styles, Opera Workshop, Movement for Singers, Songwriting, Music Composition, Music History, and General Music. Students are required to attend elective classes as chosen or assigned.  Students perform occasionally as soloists (as designated by their teachers) on recitals, and on Honors Recitals, and prepare a 20-minute solo recital in the senior year.

Students majoring in Vocal Music at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts study the following five major components of the discipline:

• Vocal technique: The how-tos of breathing, tone, placement, diction in English and other languages.
• Performance: Stage presence, auditioning, musical style
• Music theory: Reading and writing musical language
• Ensemble: Working as part of a group to produce music
• Piano: The instrument essential for every singer

By practicing each of the above daily, Ellington students learn rigor, cultivating a professionalism that enables them to succeed in virtually any style or situation.

Click here for department handbook.

Curriculum