Students desiring a more intensive and demanding vocal training program are typically those who are serious about their commitment to their vocal studies. This could include those:
- students who are college bound for a vocal performance, music education, or musical theater degree
- high school students who perform regularly in musicals or ensembles
- adults who perform as soloists or choir members
- singers who want a more complete vocal training experience
THE PROGRAM
8-10 Month Track/45-minute Weekly Lesson
Unit 1: Students learn the basic technique of the Vocal Fitness Training™ curriculum. This can take anywhere from three to six months, depending on the student's prior vocal experience and their commitment to the program. Lessons are 45 minutes in length.
Unit 2: Students are taught the proper techniques and strategies to learn and develop a song, incorporating the Vocal Fitness Training technique. The amount of time spent on this unit ranges from one to two months.
Unit 3: Most lessons follow a format of twenty minutes of technique, twenty minutes of song work, and five minutes determining the week's assignments and setting goals. Students will work on a minimum of six songs for both audition and repertoire purposes, at an approximate rate of two songs per month. Practicing will continue with vocal exercises alongside song study.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
The student will generally progress to intermediate or advanced vocal skills after completing Unit 3 and meeting their six song minimum. At this point, lesson time may focus soley on technique, or be devoted entirely to songs or audition and performance preparation. At this level, vocal training continues alongside the expansion of repertoire, interpretation, and the development of performing skills. The amount of practicing may also increase dependent upon the age of the student and their vocal stamina.
THE PROGRAM'S EXPECTATIONS & GOALS
All students in the Professional Level Track Program are required to:
- practice a minimum of 30-45 minutes a day on technique and song development.
- keep a binder with lessons, music, and a personal practice record, reviewed weekly.
- record their lessons, and listen to them at least once during the week, taking notes on relevant instructional concepts.
- further develop their repertoire by learning new songs, including the creation of an "audition" or "gig" book containing a variety of songs or cuts they can sing at a moment's notice.
OTHER RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES
- College bound students will develop a plan to determine their audition pieces, and to increase their general repertoire.
- Other tasks may include the exploration of new song repertoire, researching lyrics, translating text, learning singer's standard diction rules, or listening to professional singers for comparative performance purposes.
- Eligible students will participate in student auditions and competitions, such as the annual NATS student auditions or Classical Singer competitions. (Both of these events include both classical and musical theatre categories.)
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Once a student has completed Unit 2, they may add more skill sets to their training if they would like to enhance their learning experience. This might include learning rudimentary piano, music theory, harmonization, or improving sight-reading and ear training. However, adding more material would likely increase the lesson to one hour in order to maintain the integrity of the voice study component. A student may also, at their cost hire an accompanist to assist them with polishing a song during their lessons.
Please note: Students may continue their performing activities, however, it should be kept to a minimum or scaled down during the first six months of training. And, there may be times where it is not advised, if the performing would be detrimental to their vocal improvement, or too difficult for their current skill level. (Ideally, performing would stop completely until the completion of Unit 2.)
PROFESSIONAL LEVEL TRACK
Intensive Vocal Training Program
Acceptance into this program is by audition/interview only
Application can be downloaded here.
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