Vocal Studies

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singers holding hands doing dance sequence

About Vocal Studies at Guildhall

At the heart of our approach in Vocal Studies is the development of each student’s individuality as a performer and artist. Through an intensive programme of one-to-one lessons, specialist coaching, small-group work, repertoire classes and performance projects, you will gain the knowledge and practical experience necessary to forge your own artistic path. The training emphasises Western classical music and opera, and a passion for these art forms is necessary, while we also encourage you to extend the conventional scope of these areas in line with your particular interests and professional ambitions.

Establishing and maintaining a healthy, sustainable vocal technique is the central focus of your one-to-one lessons. Coaching, stage and concert projects, and classes hone your performing and professional skills – you will delve into music from diverse sources and genres (often of your own choice) as you begin to unite your craft and with your personal identity as an artist.

Students and graduates of Guildhall’s Vocal Studies achieve exceptional success on opera and concert stages around the world, and can be heard working with all the major opera companies, concert promoters, festivals and ensembles. Many appear on recordings, television, film and new media while current students and recent graduates are winning awards and competitions and making their mark in a wide range of young artist programmes.

Guildhall Vocal Studies graduates also hold key positions worldwide in opera company management, casting, artist agencies, concert promotion and arts marketing. Many are leaders in music education, as teachers and managers at conservatoire, university, secondary school and early-years levels. And others have established their own companies, including performing groups, non-profits and in music-technology start-ups. 

Students really have a choice of how they want to structure their learning and the experience here helps you understand where your forte lies as an up and coming artist. The lecturers are so friendly and give us lots of informative advice about the industry. Guildhall also ensures students are exposed to industry professionals through masterclasses.

– Innocent Masuku, Graduate Certificate Vocal Studies

 

Classical singer Julia Bullock, Artist in Residence for the 2020-22 seasons

Vocal Studies contact details

Michael Wardell, Vocal Studies Department Manager
Tel: 020 7382 6136
vocal@gsmd.ac.uk

Undergraduate study

Guildhall’s undergraduate programme in Vocal Studies establishes the core components necessary for you as a singer in your first years of training. Once established, we integrate these in practical performance settings.

Postgraduate study

Postgraduate singers embark on Vocal Studies at Guildhall with diverse previous experiences: some come with a considerable background in opera and classical vocal performance, others with expertise in very different disciplines; some already have areas of specialism for which they are aiming professionally, others wish to develop their artistry at an advanced level with a view to specialising later.

The multiple routes into and through our postgraduate programme cater for this diversity. See below for information on the interrelationship between Guildhall’s postgraduate Vocal Studies and Opera Studies principal studies.

Singer and accompanist perform on the Milton Court stage

Student & Graduate Successes

Recent Vocal Studies student and graduate successes in competitions and young artist schemes include: