Voice at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ
Download the "Singing at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ" brochure!
Degrees Offered
UNDERGRADUATE:
GRADUATE:
-
(Also available as an online program)
For more information on degrees, ensembles and complete curricular handbooks, visit our ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Programs page and our Graduate Programs page.
Auditions
Voice Area Handbook
CLICK HERE to view the handbook
Classical Voice
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ boasts a world-class voice faculty and offers students a variety of courses that promote a strong technical and pedagogical foundation. Students have access to a number of performing opportunities including several choral groups, Opera Workshop, Commercial Music Ensemble, Mariachi los Mineros, Early Music Ensemble, weekly area recitals, studio classes, and guest artist master classes.
Commercial Voice
The commercial singer at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ is taught a strong foundation in classical voice in addition to learning to sing a variety of commercial styles. As their study progresses, their repertoire is further geared toward the individual's commercial strengths. Additionally, all Commercial Music majors take courses in music technology, music business, arranging, improvisation, and recording. ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ's state-of-the-art recording studio gives students hands-on engineering and recording experience.
Choirs
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s choirs include Cantare (SSA chorus), Singing Miners (TB chorus), the Concert Chorale, and Chamber Singers. Since 2015, the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Chamber Singers have traveled every other year to Leeds, England, for a week-long residency in the cathedral. In 2014, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ choir students and faculty were part of the Opera Bhutan project which joined international soloists in the Kingdom of Bhutan to perform Handel’s Acis and Galatea, marking the first time a Western opera was performed in that country. The ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Choirs also enjoy regular collaboration with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and other regional orchestras. All are welcome to participate in Cantare and the Singing Miners, while the Chorale and Chamber Singers are selected by audition.
Opera
Students in the Opera Workshop class ("Opera ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ") present shows in the fall and spring. Scenes from lyric theater (including opera, operetta, zarzuela and musical theater) as well as one-act and full-length operas are produced, according to the needs and abilities of the students enrolled in the class. Opera ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ enjoys a close partnership with El Paso Opera, offering students opportunities to perform in and assist behind the scenes with mainstage shows and/or as "Junior Artists" or "Resident Artists."
Voice Faculty
- Brian Downen, M.M., Voice Area Coordinator, Applied Voice, Graduate DIction, Director of Cantare (Treble Choir)
- Cherry Duke, A.D., Director of Opera ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, Applied Voice
- Diana Esparza, M.M., Applied Voice, Class Voice, Diction
- Elisa Fraser Wilson, D.M.A., Director of Choral Activities, the Concert Chorale and the Chamber Singers; Graduate Choral Conducting
- Phillip D. Hill, D.M.A., Applied Voice, Vocal Pedagogy, Song Literature
- Alexander Kariotis, M.M., Applied Voice, Commercial Music, Class Voice
- Elvin Porflit, M.M., Conducting, Director of The Singing Miners (TBB Choir)
Should you have questions about the voice area, please contact any faculty member, or Brian Downen: bgdownen@utep.edu.
"Singing at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ" brochure
Special Projects
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ All-State Choir Camp
Join other talented singers in a fun-filled week of activities geared toward learning the Texas All-State literature. Held every July. Click here for more information, and/or contact Dr. Elisa Fraser Wilson.
Mock Solo & Ensemble Contest
For El Paso area high school singers to prepare for UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest. Click here for more information, and/or contact Prof. Brian Downen.
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Song Festival
A day of learning for El Paso area high school vocal soloists, held each year. Click here for more information, and/or contact Prof. Brian Downen.