Vocal Performance

Vocal performers on stage.

91传媒厂's School of Music and Dance Vocal Area is a thriving community of vocalists engaged in the vocal arts. Students study the fundamentals of vocal production (breathing, vowel formation, intonation, resonance, and diction) and repertoire, including art song, opera, musical theater, and oratorio, in various languages, during their four years of study. Vocal students benefit from weekly individual lessons with our extraordinary faculty of artist/teachers, as well as weekly studio classes.

Vocalists have the opportunity to join the Concert Choir, the famous Choraliers, Opera Theater, Musical Theatre, Collegium Musicum, Treble Choir, Glee Club, as well as our student a capella groups, including the Spartones and Pitch Please!. Undergraduate vocal majors perform recitals in their junior and senior years, and benefit from interation with an extensive rotation of distinguished guest artists. Recent guests have included Eugene Rogers and Rickey Tripp.

Degrees Offered

Faculty

Dr. Jeffrey Benson Headshot

Dr. Jeffrey Benson

Director of Choral Activities

Office: 263

Phone: 408-924-4645

Sandra Bengochea Headshot

Sandra Bengochea

Voice; Opera Theater

On Leave

Phone: 408-924-4658

Christopher Bengochea Headshot

Christopher Bengochea

Voice

Office: 246

Dr. Corie Brown Headshot

Dr. Corie Brown

Choral Activities, Music Education

Office: 267

Ren Geisick Headshot

Ren Geisick

Vocal Jazz

Office: 105

Phone: 408-924-4678

Jacque Wilson Scharlach Headshot

Jacque Wilson Scharlach

Co-Voice Area Coordinator, Voice

Office: 268

Philip Skinner Headshot

Philip Skinner

Voice

Office: 246

Jonathan Smucker Headshot

Jonathan Smucker

Co-Voice Area Coordinator, Voice

Office: 246

Dr. Michael Mohammed Headshot

Voice

Office: 145

Simona Snitkovskaya headshot

Simona Snitkovskaya

Collaborative Pianist; Chamber Music

Audition Information

 

Learn more about suggested audition repertoire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are scholarships available?

Yes! Scholarship awards are competitive and based upon performance level and the needs of the School. Audition dates for scholarships are in February and early March.

For scholarship information, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Benson.

I would like to be a music major. What should I do?

For general questions, contact the School's recruitment specialists: musicdancerecruitment@sjsu.edu. If you have questions regarding the vocal major, contact Dr. Jeffrey Benson.

When can I audition for vocal ensembles?

Auditions for Concert Choir, Choraliers, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble are held during the two advising days prior to the first day of classes.

Are there other performance opportunities?

Voice majors are expected to perform at least once per year on the Listening Hour, a concert series organized by the School of Music and Dance and open to the public. Voice majors also have the opportunity to audition for Opera San Jos茅. For audition information contact Opera San Jos茅, (408) 437-4456. Several times a year voice majors may be recruited to sing with touring shows, such as Andrea Bocelli.