The Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance prepares students for graduate school and careers in performance and teaching. The degree is designed to help students develop their skills to the highest level possible through studio and classroom instruction, opportunities for performance and within a community of supportive musicians.
Music, the art of organizing sound in time, is a universal language given to us by God that expresses thoughts and emotions where words cannot. The faculty of the NASM-accredited Paul T. Plew School of Music believes in the vital role and purpose of this gift and is privileged to train students to use their musical abilities to the glory of God by developing wisdom, establishing convictions, and producing leaders.
All of our faculty and staff affirm our full doctrinal statement, which has remained essentially unchanged since our founding. We believe and teach:
Learn to perform with excellent musicianship as demonstrated through developed technical skill, artistic interpretation, consistent and free tone quality, and the ability to perform with collaborative musicians. Example courses include English and Foreign Language Diction, Vocal Literature, Vocal Pedagogy, Stage Training, and Opera.
This degree meets all requirements for course offerings and standards of performance as necessitated by the NASM accrediting agency. It combines the academic rigor and practical experience required of anyone pursuing vocal studies at the college level with a clear understanding of God’s Word and how to utilize one’s singing talents for the glory of God in a myriad of different occupations. Students are provided high-level instruction, varied musical experiences, and numerous opportunities for performance on and off campus. At TMU, the whole person is trained; we desire our graduates to be well-rounded individuals who love the Lord and their craft more after their time here.
Alumni with this degree are singing with opera programs, off-Broadway and regional theater, for Disney, have succeeded in session and oratorio work, created businesses around their craft such as caroling groups or traveling ministry groups, own private studios or theater companies, teach at the high school level, are college professors in the vocal area, sing in professional choirs and direct choral groups of varying degrees.
Los Angeles is one of the top music-producing cities in the country, including a myriad of concerts and recitals of varying styles, session singing, and recording opportunities, semi-professional and professional opera companies, community and professional theaters, community and professional choirs with solo opportunities, church jobs, and ministry opportunities and many programs nearby for students pursuing graduate studies in voice.
The School of Music provides performance opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities, granting individual attention and a variety of experiences. Students benefit from an acoustically mastered recital hall that is flexible for rehearsals, concerts, and recording sessions, in addition to 15 Wenger sound-proof practice rooms, including some V-rooms with built-in emulation of larger environments. Students have access to 33 pianos, two organs, and two harpsichords.
The Master’s University music facilities include the most recent music notation and sequencing software programs. The state-of-the-art recording facility is integrated into the recital hall. This all-digital room is anchored by a 32-fader ICON D-Control work surface and features an industry-standard Avid Pro Tools HDX2 system with various plugins and outboard processing. The studio is used for classes and school ensemble projects, allowing audio technology students to put their knowledge to the test in a real-world studio recording context.
Perform with a high level of musicianship as demonstrated through a developed technical skill, artistic interpretation, good quality of tone, and ability to perform jointly with an accompanist.
Total units required for emphasis: 80-81
*Satisfies 1 unit of performance ensemble.
