Vocal Arts
The Vocal Arts division at the UCO School of Music boasts a high placement rate among its graduates in their chosen fields, whether in the profession, the public schools, or continuing graduate study. Many graduates hold positions in elementary, secondary and university institutions around the country while others continue their educations at some of the best master and doctoral programs in the nation. The Vocal Arts Division has many opportunities for all students regardless of major.
Throughout the year, we offer various events inviting students to campus including Voice Day, Instructional Clinics, Master classes and other opportunities for those who wish to pursue music to visit our ensembles and classes.
Choral Ensembles
UCO has an ensemble for any person who enjoys singing and would like to create music as one cooperative voice. The UCO Choral Society is comprised of four major ensembles which offers opportunities for singers of all levels of interest and ability: Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers (Vocal Jazz), Cantilena (Women’s Chorus), and University Choir as well as smaller ensembles, as the need requires. Choral scholarships are available for those who qualify. The choirs frequently tour throughout Oklahoma, regionally and internationally, with recent tours to Italy, Brazil and Ireland. All choirs at UCO are open to every student enrolled in the university regardless of major. An audition is required for participation in Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers and Cantilena, which can be requested by contacting Dr. Karl Nelson, Director of Choral Studies, at knelson15@uco.edu.
Opera
Opera at UCO prepares students for a career in performance by training them in skills needed for success in staged operatic productions ranging from Baroque to present times. UCO Opera presents three productions each year:
- Opera Workshop, which introduces students to opera through scene study and instruction in opera-related skills and culminates in several performances of scenes and chamber opera at the UCO Jazz Lab.
- Opera for Children, which performs hour-long operatic productions for elementary school children.
- Mainstage opera, which presents full-length operas with orchestra, costumes and scenery in historic Mitchell Hall Theatre.
Recent productions include: The Magic Flute, Gianni Schicchi, Dido and Aeneas, The Tender Land, Little Women, Cosi Fan Tutte, Starbird, The Impresario, Amelia Goes to the Ball, Hansel and Gretel, and The Elixir of Love. UCO Opera productions are open to all students by auditions which occur in the fall. UCO Opera also regularly brings in operatic professionals to give Master classes and workshops with students. These are also open to all UCO students.