Whether Adele, Justin Timberlake or Anna Netrebko – the list of famous singers is long. Their songs can sweep us away or move us to tears. Many young talents dream of being in the limelight themselves and enchanting the masses with their voices. Very few, however, are discovered by chance or become famous through participating in a casting show. There is usually hard work behind a professional singing career. Most professional singers have completed a vocal training, for example in the form of a degree.
In Germany mainly music colleges and occasionally universities and technical colleges offer courses in the field of singing.
Course content in singing
According to topschoolsoflaw, the voice of the students is trained in these courses. The students sing alone and in an ensemble. The repertoire ranges from arias to pop songs. In the course of time it becomes clear which vocal genre a singer belongs to. This individual vocal range, such as soprano or tenor, is then further trained and refined. Practical vocal training also includes piano lessons as well as speaking and ear training . Furthermore, students learn different acting techniques know and have movement and dance lessons. This should prepare them for use in operas and musicals. Italian lessons toobelongs to the training of a singer, because most operas are sung in Italian. In addition to practicing singing, the students also get to know the theoretical basics of the subject. For example, you will deal with the historical development of music and learn everything about setting up overtone rows or the different time signature.
In the higher semesters, students can usually choose an artistic or an artistic-pedagogical focus.
- An artistic focus is also about training your own voice. The students develop their own singing projects and perform in front of an audience.
- In the artistic-pedagogical focus , students are trained to become singing teachers. The students have pedagogy and didactics lessons and do internships in music schools and similar institutions.
Master’s degree
The bachelor’s degree enables graduates to start their careers. Those who have the appropriate artistic aptitude can also refine their singing skills in a master’s degree. The students specialize in one focus, such as opera singing or ensemble singing. In addition, there are also vocal pedagogy master’s courses in which students have the opportunity to train to become vocal teachers.
Study singing: requirements
Anyone wishing to study singing must first prove their artistic and vocal skills in an aptitude test . Applicants must also demonstrate basic piano skills and musical hearing ability. In addition, most universities require a doctor’s certificate about the health of the vocal organs. If an applicant has outstanding vocal aptitude, it is possible in individual cases to study singing without a university entrance qualification.
Occupational fields
Professionally trained singers are used in a wide variety of areas. It is primarily your vocal genre and your main field of study that determine whether you sing operas and operettas, classical concerts, musicals or pop songs. The jobs as a permanent member of the ensemble at opera houses, theaters and musicals are particularly popular. Many singers also work as freelance artists . You often write your own songs, perform alone or with a band and are involved in individual productions at theaters and opera houses. Also activities in radio, film and television companies are possible.
Those who have specialized in vocal pedagogy during their studies usually work as teachers at music schools, music colleges, conservatories and church institutions. You can also work as an independent music teacher.
Advantages of studying abroad
The course offers a good opportunity to gain international experience. One or more semesters abroad offer students not only the opportunity to get to know another country and other people. Meanwhile, you can also expand your artistic repertoire by learning other singing and acting techniques. Stays abroad in Italy and other Italian-speaking regions train the Italian language skills that are important for opera singers. In addition to valuable impulses for artistic development, students also acquire soft skills such as flexibility, assertiveness and organizational talent.
