Bachelor’s in Music: Voice Performance Emphasis
Explore the Art of Composition With a Bachelor’s in Music
Dive into the nuances of lyric diction and voice science by becoming a music major at Grand Canyon University. During this Bachelor of Arts in Music with an Emphasis in Voice Performance degree, you will receive personalized attention from music instructors, providing opportunities to improve your range and strengthen your vocal skills. Prepare to take command of the stage and share your vocal talents with those around you while you work toward pursuing a career in music.
Shape Your Voice and Your Future in Music
Offered by the College of Arts and Media, the emphasis in vocal performance delivers a well-rounded liberal arts education integrated with a Christian worldview. Within this faith-based setting, you will be given all the support you need to strive toward reaching your full potential by cultivating your God-given talents. There is a focus on vocal technique, vocal health, literature and performance techniques. The comprehensive curriculum blends music theory with its practical application on stage.
You can enjoy multiple performance opportunities (solo and collaborative) to showcase your talents and demonstrate your progress. All applicants to the vocal performance emphasis program are required to undergo an audition and to complete a music theory assessment prior to acceptance into the program.
Hone Your Vocal and Chorus Performance Skills
This bachelor’s in music: voice performance emphasis program offers many opportunities for you to develop a strong foundation in vocal techniques and performance. This program’s curriculum teaches both voice performance and musicianship, as well as diction, movement and music business.
Competencies taught in this emphasis include:
- Voice science and pedagogy for voice instruction, with an emphasis on pedagogical application and vocal health
- Style and literature by great composers, from the beginning of solo song through the Romantic Period to the Contemporary Period, including art song, popular styles, opera, Broadway and pop music
- German, Italian and French song transliteration using the International Phonetic Alphabet, including the correct performance of sounds
- Vocal skill exploration through regular performance opportunities
Career Paths in Voice Performance
The bachelor’s in music with a voice performance emphasis is aligned with the standards of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) as a professional performance degree. The emphasis in vocal performance is a versatile choice that can allow students to examine career-centric competencies in the field.
Upon graduation, music majors may choose to pursue careers as musicians and singers. There is a diverse range of work settings that may hire vocal performers, including:1,2
- Touring companies
- Regional theatre companies
- Cruise ships
- Music production agencies
- Private clubs and professional performance organizations, such as professional choruses, opera companies and private studios
Other potential work settings may include churches, schools, arts organizations and performance groups. Some individuals may decide to launch their own private voice studio.2
Earn Your Degree From an Accredited University
As an institutionally accredited school, GCU upholds high standards of academic excellence, striving to nurture each student to reach their full potential. We have been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Arts and Media shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a variety of career options and work settings available to majors in vocal performance, we compiled a list of frequently asked questions about this vocal performance emphasis to help you make a decision for your career path.
Nurture your God-given musical talents and share your joy through voice performance.
1 Indeed Editorial Team. (2024, July 2). What Is a Singing Career? 11 Careers in the Singing Industry. Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 27, 2024.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug, 29). Musicians and Singers: Work Environment. Retrieved Nov. 27, 2024.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Musicians and Singers, retrieved Nov. 27, 2024.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is a study in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training is utilized. Study is devoted to the structure of music which includes harmony, melody, form, and rhythm. Skill development in analysis and composition is emphasized. The music of the “common practice period” will be studied. Prerequisite: Theory Placement Examination.
Course Description
This course is designed as class instruction for students with limited or no previous piano training. Instruction includes the study of piano technique and literature designed to pass Part I of the Piano Proficiency Examination.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and enunciation for lyric diction in Italian, German, French, and Latin through the lens of the IPA. IPA transcription for Italian lyric diction is introduced.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
Course Description
This large choral non-auditioned campus community ensemble performs masterworks of the choral-symphonic literature, with major presentations in the Fall and Spring. The Canyon Choral Society is open to the students, faculty, and staff of Grand Canyon University and to the Phoenix community at large. Members of the Canyon Chorale, Critical Mass, and Canyon Singers are required to participate in the Canyon Choral Society. This course must be repeated each semester of residency This course must be repeated each semester of residency
Course Description
The Canyon Chorale is an auditioned ensemble presenting the best in choral literature from historic masterworks of all stylistic periods and different cultures. Members are selected through an annual audition open to both music and non-music majors at Grand Canyon University. The chorale performs on campus, in the metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson areas, and in churches and schools throughout the region. All members of the Canyon Chorale are required to participate in the Canyon Choral Society. Prerequisite: Admission into this ensemble by audition only or instructor's permission. This Course must be repeated each semester of residency
Course Description
This course emphasizes skill development through analysis and composition. Prerequisite: MUS-125.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of MUS-102. It includes passing Part II of the Piano Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MUS-102 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course focuses on enunciation and transcription of the English and Italian languages as applied to lyric diction. Familiarity with the appropriate choice of speech sounds is gained though listening, singing, and transcription assignments. Prerequisite: MUS-145.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
Course Description
This course emphasizes advanced rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation; basic keyboard performance; and sight singing. Computer-assisted ear training is utilized. Music examples are selected from Bach through Wagner. This course also includes an advanced study in analysis and part writing utilizing modulation and chromatic harmony. Prerequisite: MUS-155.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of MUS-103. It includes passing Part III of the Piano Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MUS-103 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course focuses on enunciation and transcription of the German language as applied to lyric diction. Familiarity with the appropriate choice of speech sounds is gained though listening, singing, and transcription assignments. Prerequisite: MUS-145.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
Course Description
This is an introductory course for vocal production and body manipulation. Students learn techniques for the healthy production, manipulation, and utilization of sound and movement. The student’s voice and body are developed through conditioning exercises. Vocal production and movement are linked to a character's intention and given circumstances in order to facilitate a compelling, understandable performance.
Course Description
This course is a continuation of MUS-202. It includes passing Part IV of the Piano Proficiency Examination. Prerequisite: MUS-202 or Music Department approval.
Course Description
This course focuses on enunciation and transcription of the French language as applied to lyric diction. Familiarity with the appropriate choice of speech sounds is gained though listening, singing, and transcription assignments. Prerequisite: MUS-145.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
Course Description
This course is a study of the fundamentals and techniques of conducting. Emphasis is placed on basic conducting skills, fundamentals of baton technique, left hand technique, non-verbal communication, leadership, conducting terminology, transpositions, and score reading. Techniques of score study, artistic interpretation, and programming will be explored. Prerequisite: MUS-155.
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the music of the world as a means to express different elements of culture, civilization, and worldview.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
Course Description
This course will prepare students for success as creative professionals. Students will research their industry, develop their personal brand, and establish business and entrepreneurial practices.
Course Description
This course is a study on the nature and construct of (art) song as a genre.
Course Description
This course is an exploration of voice pedagogy in alignment with analysis of vocal production. Students will be required to demonstrate pedagogical application.
Course Description
A formal, public recital, sponsored by the music department, in which the student presents a solo recital of a length appropriate to the major. The recital is to be given in the student's junior year. Co-Requisite: The student must concurrently be enrolled in the appropriate level of private instruction.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
Course Description
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts in sound theory, acoustic principles, microphone types and techniques, sound equipment, signal flow, cable management, stage arrangement, and documentation through lecture and hands-on activities.
Course Description
This course is study of the historical development of American Musical Theatre and analysis of its unique dramatic forms.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
Course Description
This course is a study of the business and professional skills needed for musicians to turn their artistic passion into a profitable career. Topics include the mindset of entrepreneurs, networking and marketing, financial skills, and developing the independent teaching studio. The course culminates in the development of a professional portfolio and/or business plan that is true to the student’s artistic voice.
Course Description
This course is a study and application of techniques of scoring and arranging music for various instrumental and vocal ensembles. Programmatic technology requirements apply, as outlined in the University Policy Handbook. Prerequisite: MUS-260 or WSA-301.
Course Description
This capstone course provides students an opportunity to develop their skills in an area of interest. Students will complete an independent project under faculty supervision.
Course Description
A formal, public recital, sponsored by the music department, in which the student presents a solo recital of a length and format appropriate to the major. The recital may consist solely of performance or may be in the form of a lecture-recital. The recital is to be given in the student's final semester of residency. Students must pass a formal hearing prior to final approval of the recital presentation. Co-Requisite: The student must concurrently be enrolled in the appropriate level of private instruction.
Course Description
This course is the private applied study required for music majors in their major instrument or area. Prerequisite: Instructor or Music Department Approval.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Join Grand Canyon University’s vibrant and growing campus community, with daytime classes designed for traditional students. Immerse yourself in a full undergraduate experience, complete with curriculum designed within the context of our Christian worldview.