Voice

The Voice Program at the University of Kentucky School of Music boasts renowned faculty who have performed at the Metropolitan Opera, conducted at Carnegie Hall, and more. Our distinguished alumni have performed across the globe. Opportunities for current students include participation in our award-winning UK Choirs ensembles as well as numerous high quality productions with UK Opera Theatre, a Richard Tucker Foundation Recommended Program.

Division Coordinators
Voice Auditions Coordinator

 

Undergraduate Voice Auditions

The spring audition dates for undergraduate voice are shown on the Admissions & Auditions page. Let us know which dates you would like to audition for admission using the online School of Music Audition/Exam Request Form. If you are not able to audition on any of these dates, contact us to arrange another time.  For information on parking and where to stay during your audition, check the resources from the UK Visitors Center.

Undergraduate General information:

  • All students must make an application to the University of Kentucky as well as the UK School of Music (via the audition).
  • The University requires that every undergraduate student take either the ACT or the SAT as part of the entrance requirement.
  • We cannot accept you officially into the program or recommend you for scholarships until your applications are complete. Information about undergraduate admissions at UK can be found online. Information about music scholarships can be found on the Scholarships & Financial Aid page.

Audition Information:

Once we receive your audition registration, you will be assigned an audition date in time to make flight arrangements. If for some reason you will need to arrive at UK on the same day as you plan to audition, particularly if flying, please let us know. You will be sent the exact time of day and audition location approximately one week before your scheduled visit.

  1. Auditions will be in the Singletary Center for the Arts Recital Hall.
  2. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled time.
  3. Provide one copy of music for the accompanist (an accompanist will be provided)

Audition Requirements:

  1. Please prepare (at least) two vocal selections which are varied in style/language and display a range of technical facility.
  2. You will start with one piece and the Vocal/Choral faculty will choose from one of your other selections to be heard.
  3. For Performance and Music Education majors you will also be asked to sight sing and show rhythm and tonal memory skills.
  4. The purpose of the voice audition is for admission into the program and for Choral Grant-in-aid consideration, including the nomination to Alltech Opera Scholarship Competition.

For any questions concerning the audition itself or about scheduling, contact Cynthia Lawrence, cynthia.lawrence@uky.edu.

Due to the number of auditionees on audition weekends, we are not able to schedule individual lessons, however, if you are interested in a certain teacher, contact that teacher to schedule a time that you can meet later in the semester.

Cynthia Lawrence
Coordinator of Vocal Auditions
859-257-8597

Dr. Jefferson Johnson
Director of Choral Activities
859-257-5897

Choral Graduate Admissions Pre-Audition Screening

A set of pre-screening materials is required for both MM and DMA Choral Conducting applicants. Submission Deadline: December 1. Materials may be mailed to Jefferson Johnson or included as links to online hosted materials in you audition application.

  1. A short video of the candidate rehearsing (not conducting) a choir or choirs (10-15 min).
  2. A resume or vita
  3. For DMAs only: a brief writing sample of an academic nature, e.g. an excerpt from a master's level research paper.

After reviewing these materials, successful applicants will be invited to campus for a live audition.

Voice Graduate Admissions Pre-Audition Screening

A set of pre-screening materials is required for all graduate voice programs. Submission Deadline: December 1. Materials may be mailed to Cynthia Lawrence or included as links to online hosted materials in your audition application. All applicants must complete the Audition Request Form first. If you choose to mail the pre-audition screening materials, they must be postmarked by December 1. Please write your name, phone number, voice type and the degree program you are applying to on the DVD. If you choose to submit links to online hosted materials, a field to provide link(s) will appear on the Audition Request Form as you fill it out.

  1. A recording no older than one (1) year that contains at least three (3) contrasting pieces.
  2. Recent Headshot (publicity photo)
  3. Statement of Purpose. Describe your career goals and why you think UK can help you achieve them.
    1. Master's Program word length: 250 - 500 words
    2. DMA Program word length: 500 - 750 words

Links submitted with the Audition Request Form will automatically be sent to Cynthia Lawrence. Those choosing to mail materials can send them to:

  1. One (1) aria from an oratorio or opera
  2. Three (3) Foreign Language art songs
  3. One (1) piece in English (may be an aria)
  4. Any additional pieces required to present thirty (30) minutes of repertoire are left to the auditioner's discretion, but should be largely pieces from classical repertoire.

Cynthia Lawrence
Coordinator of Voice Auditions
University of Kentucky
212 Schmidt Vocal Arts Building
412 Rose Street
Lexington, KY  40506-0022

If your pre-audition recording and other materials pass screening by our faculty, you will then be notified by email by December 30 that you are invited to a live audition at UK.

When you come to audition at UK:

  • Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
  • Once you have passed your audition, you will be required to take entrance exams in Music History, Theory, and Vocal Studies

MM Audition Repertoire:

  1. One (1) aria from an oratorio or opera
  2. Two (2) foreign language art songs
  3. One (1) piece in English (may be an aria)

DMA Audition Repertoire:
Must prepare a set equivalent to a thirty (30) minute recital, which must include:

  1. One (1) aria from an oratorio or opera
  2. Three (3) Foreign Language art songs
  3. One (1) piece in English (may be an aria)
  4. Any additional pieces required to present thirty (30) minutes of repertoire are left to the auditioner's discretion, but should be largely pieces from classical repertoire.
Voice Faculty
Created 07/26/2021
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Last Updated 12/22/2023