Vocal Arts
The goal of the voice faculty at the CMA is to help students grow as musicians and as people, and become the best singers they can be, regardless of their degree program. The voice faculty members come from various backgrounds and experience, and work together to make sure students are getting what they need to develop technically, musically, and personally. Throughout their course of study, voice students develop their skills through weekly lessons and master classes with studio teachers, workshops and recitals with visiting artists, and frequent performances in studio and area seminars.
Performance opportunities abound for voice students, and include concerts, studio and area recitals, fully staged operas and scenes programs, competitions, and plenty of other events. Students are encouraged to take advantage of our Opera Department, our many choral ensembles, along with groups devoted to jazz, early music, contemporary music, and an abundance of extra-curricular ensembles and performing groups.
At the College of Musical Arts, we are fortunate to have generous donors who provide funding for high-profile artists and scholars to visit and teach our students. Past guests include Ben Moore, Louise Toppin, Marilyn Horne, Libby Larson, Thomas Pasatieri, Tom Cipullo, William Bolcom, Bright Sheng, Johan Sundberg, Robert Spano, Jennifer Higdon, Jon West, Eric Gibson, and Nicholas Wuehrmann.
Vocal Arts Area News
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BGSU Soprano Eleanor Lewis Awarded First Place at Ohio NATS Oct 21, 2025 11:58 AM Bowling Green State University vocal performance student Eleanor Lewis was awarded first place in the Junior Classical Women’s Division at the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Auditions, held on October 18 at The Ohio State University.
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"Haunted and Other Works by Gioia and Salerni" featuring Keith Phares, baritone Sep 2, 2025 10:55 AM "Haunted and Other Works by Gioia and Salerni" will be released September 19th. The Navona Records recording of works by composer Paul Salerni and poet Dana Gioia features CMA voice professor Keith Phares, baritone.
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2023 PREMIERE|Project Festival Composer Fellows Announced Aug 24, 2023 2:45 PM After a record number of composer applicants than any year previous, Choral Arts Initiative (CAI) is excited to announce the 13 composer fellows who have been selected to participate in their annual PREMIERE|Project Festival.
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Kent Vandock is 2022 OCDA Distinguished Service Award Winner Aug 24, 2023 2:15 PM The OCDA Distinguished Service Award is given to a person who is in good standing of the American Choral Directors Association. This person exemplifies a high standard of musicianship and professionalism and has a record of service to choral music in Ohio and to OCDA. Winners can come from any speciality, discipline and teaching level within ACDA.
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BGSU Men’s Chorus Celebrates 50th Anniversary On April 9, 2022, one hundred twenty-five men returned to campus to celebrate 50th anniversary season of the BGSU Men’s Chorus. This Alumni Men’s Chorus consisted of alums from as early as 1972 through as recent as 2021. If gathering to sing, reconnect, and meet new friends wasn’t enough, the guest conducting appearance of Men’s Chorus emeritus director Richard D. Mathey created an over-the-top buzz to maintain the energy through an entire day of rehearsing, socializing, and performing.
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CMA faculty and students shine in Mendelssohn's Elijah to finish the year The pandemic has disrupted our lives, health, and well-being in so many ways. This is certainly true of live large-scale ensemble performances at the College of Musical Arts. After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the BG Philharmonia and combined mixed choruses of the College of Musical Arts celebrated the return of such events to Kobacker Hall with a provocative and moving performance of Mendelssohn’s dramatic oratorio Elijah, April 24. Drs. Mark Munson and Richard Schnipke prepared the A Cappella Choir, University Choral Society, and Collegiate Chorale. Dr. Emily Freeman Brown led the BG Philharmonia and choruses from the podium.
Updated: 05/23/2025 02:12PM