Voice Acting Program

Does your son or daughter have a voice that is good enough for the opera house?

But before you answer that question, ask yourself another. Can you recognize an operatic voice before it has been trained?

There is little doubt the world of opera is an exciting place. It can bring fame and fortune to those who are good enough if they are prepared to work very hard for many years and then get the lucky breaks.

Like any other exacting profession opera singing is an art of discipline, even for the most gifted singer. Not only must the voice be properly trained, but music theory and ear training must be studied, roles learnt and memorized, foreign languages studied and acting perfected.

A parent wishing to guide their son or daughter into the world of opera should first consult with people in the business of opera. People whom they know and can trust. Those who really care. It is important to find the right people in the industry, get to know them and seek their professional advice. It is essential that you get expert opinions about the potential and prospects for your children from those whose comments and judgment you can trust.

Given the encouragement from such a person or persons, the next thing is to find a singing teacher. They are plentiful, but don’t come cheaply. Look for a sympathetic teacher with clear communication skills. When you find one, outline a teaching program over a limited time frame and make sure this schedule is maintained. Some teachers take on sudents and just keep teaching without end goals in sight. Avoid them. They’re looking after themselves, not your son or daughter.

The initial training period should cover the basic elements of voice production and building a limited repertoire. The early 17th and 18th century Italian arias are an ideal starting program and all reputable singing teachers should be aware of these songs which are readily available in albums, preferably with CD accompaniment discs for learning purposes.

For this part of the early training program, a maximum of two years should be adequate. If the student hasn’t made sufficient progress in the first two years, perhaps they don’t have the necessary commitment for such a demanding career. Be honest with them and yourself. But be firm. It’s your money you are paying out!

After completing the initial part of the program students should then start the preparation for an audition at a recognized Music Academy. These are attached either to an Opera House or University, depending on where you live. Audition programs for entrance to these institutions can be accessed through websites quite readily, but take particular care to investigate entrance requirements, especially in the case of a University Music Academy.

In addition to preparing a singing program of classical songs, operatic arias and excerpts from oratorio, music academies require knowledge of music theory and ear training (solfege) for passing an audition. A six months program should be sufficient to absorb enough information from a recognized teacher of music theory to pass this test.

Additional training is probably optional, but could prove useful for the future. Many good singers study piano. It helps them to learn their music without teachers, or simpy to augment a teaching program with a teacher.

Students who enter a Music Academy and study for a first or second degree over a period of some years will derive considerable benefit from this formal tuition. It will pave the way for auditioning in opera houses and with impresarios around the world. In fact, the competition is so intense that many opera houses won’t even bother to audition singers without formal training at a recognized academy.

So, how long is all this going to take? Probably not less than six years, possibly up to ten for a second degree at an academy. It’s a long haul, but given the natural gift of your son or daughter, you owe it to them and yourself to ensure the voice is properly trained and equipped for the onstage debut.

Should luck play an important part in their career, students must have the ability to get up on center stage at a moment’s notice and woo an audience. If they fail, that’s probably the end of the road. But if they are ready and succeed, that a major step up the ladder to fame and fortune.

And that’s exactly how some opera stars were born! Maybe luck played an important part, but they were ready and when that lucky break arrived, capitalized on their good fortune.

Granted, every parent thinks their son is another Enrico Caruso or their daughter a second Maria Callas. Don’t delude yourself into thinking they are the greatest just because they are your children.

Ask people who know. People who care for your kids.

Does your son or daughter have a voice that is good enough for the opera house?

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