Handbook for Undergraduate and Graduate Voice Majors

March 2026

The guidelines and policies found in this document are an addendum to the policies found in the School of Music policies. Policies and topics can be found at Current Students.

Courses

Applied Piano Courses

The requirements in all applied voice courses are designed to implement the maximum growth of the individual singer musician through acquiring the techniques of correct posture, breath management, aural perception and tone production, furthering the expressive and appropriate interpretation of solo literature (in original languages whenever feasible) and becoming knowledgeable about the historical and cultural backgrounds of the repertoire studied.

For graduate students, the contents of this publication are intended to supplement the Graduate Student Handbook which is published by the School of Music.

Repertoire Guidelines

Repertoire selections will be assigned by the teacher at the teacher’s discretion. A variety of styles and genres will be studied with an emphasis on classical music. It is the student’ s responsibility to obtain the selected music. 

Attendance Policy

Lesson attendance is mandatory as Applied Voice is participation based 24 hours’ notice of cancellation must be given prior to a lesson in order to be considered excused barring an emergency event. In the event a student is ill, the instructor must be consulted as to whether the lesson should b e canceled. Each unexcused absence will lower the lesson grade by one full letter. Three unexcused absences will result in failure of applied lessons for the semester. Cancellations may require a 30 minute video submission due within one week, or when t he student is healthy, to be reviewed by the teacher. 

Absences for university sanctioned events (class field trips, conferences, performances, tours, etc.) must be communicated to the studio teacher at least 2 weeks in advance as these types of events are typically scheduled well ahead of time.

Grading Policy

Applied Voice grades are determined by the studio instructor in combination with jury results. 75% of the grade is determined by the criteria below while 25% comes from the jury. Grading criteria for Applied Voice includes:

1. Lesson Attendance
2. Vocal and Musical Progress
3. Voice Departmental and Recital/Concert Attendance
4. Satisfactory Completion of Semester Repertoire and Assigned Requirements
5. Interest and Scholarly Understanding (phonetic transcriptions, study of role, history, style, etc., as assigned by instructor)
6. Studio Class Attendance and Participation

Jury Requirements

• Language requirement may include selections in English
• Junior Recital required for BA Performance Track only

Juries and Level Changes

Juries will be held at the end of each semester during final exam week. All jury repertoire must be memorized with the exception of chamber music and oratorio at the studio teacher’s discretion). A culmination of the term’s work, jury grades will represent 25% of the Applied Voice grade (the other 75% coming from the studio teacher). Juries will be adjudicated using the following criteria:

Vocal Technique

• Posture
• Breath: support/management, control, onset/release, vibrato
• Production: intonation, tone quality, resonance, placement, passaggi transitions (evenness)

Musicianship / Artistry

• Rhythmic and melodic accuracy, phrasing, dynamics, tempo choice
• Text and Character: diction, interpretation, stage presence/deportment
• Preparedness/memorization

Level Change Jury 

All level changes (listed in the table above) will be a pass/fail jury promoting students to the next level of registration, requiring them to repeat the current registration, or to change majors as per the recommendation of the voice faculty. If necessary, students will be given one additional attempt during the following semester to pass a Level I ( or Level II ) jury if warranted. 

Make-up Juries 

In the event that a student is unable to complete a jury at the end of a semester, a live make up jury will be held at the start of the following semester.

Undergraduate Recital Hearings

Recital hearings are required for ALL undergraduate recitals and should occur three weeks prior to the anticipated recital date. Hearings may be recorded, if deemed necessary by the studio teacher, for evaluation by THREE voice faculty members Recital Hearings will occur on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. and are graded on a PASS/FAIL basis:

• Pass — Proceed with recital, incorp orating any changes or suggestions from faculty.
• Fail — Student is not approved to present the recital. Hearing must be repeated ONE week after failed attempt and must show necessary improvements or recital will be deferred to the following semester. 

All repertoire for the recital is required to be memorized for the recital hearing.

A copy of the program, translations (including both original text and translations) and program notes (Chicago or MLA citations) as they will appear for the re cital should be submitted at the hearing for approval.

Student Recitals

All students should refer to Recital Guidelines which will walk you through the process to schedule and complete your recital. 

The recital scheduling process begins in the semester prior to the semester of the recital. All students are advised to begin the process early to ensure that all deadlines can be met in a timely manner. 

Graduate Students should also refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for policy and procedure.

Departmental Recitals

• Departmental Recitals are held several times each semester. All voice majors are required to attend these performances. Absences not cleared by the studio teacher will result in a deduction of one full letter grade for Applied Voice for the semester.
• Singers wishing to participate must clear repertoire with their teacher and accompanist prior to signing up for a Departmental.
• Sign-ups will be posted electronically by the Graduate Administrative Associate, and it is the student’s responsibili ty to sign up by the given deadline.

Concert Attendance

Attending live performances is an integral part of a musician’s education. All students are expected to attend concerts, recitals and faculty events as schedules allow and communicate attendance to their studio teacher via e mail. 

Event attendance that is specifically required will be communicated by Voice Area instructors at the beginning of the semester.

Ensemble Requirements

All students should consult Curriculum Sheets for individual degree requirements. 

Undergraduate Requirements Overview

• Bachelor of Arts — students are required to be enrolled in a major ensemble for six consecutive semesters (Freshman year through Junior year)
• Bachelor of Music — students are required to be enrolled in a major ensemble every semester of the degree program (8 consecutive semesters)
• Bachelor of Music Education — students are required to be enrolled in a major ensemble for the first seven semesters of the degree

Graduate Requirements Overview

Choral Ensembles

Contact Dr. Robert J. Ward, ward.539@osu.edu ( 614-292-4622) for audition information. 

Change of Instructor

If a student wishes to request a change in studio assignment, the following process must be followed: 

1. Discuss the possibility of change with desired instructor.
2. Schedule a meeting with the Area Coordinator to determine if change is possible.
3. Once change is made, communicate the reason for change to previous instructor.