Mission

The Vocal Music Department focuses on developing students who are not only strong vocalists but also have a solid understanding of music fundamentals, music history, and the fine arts. Cross-curricular opportunities within SCPA's rich learning environment allow vocal majors to work with students and faculty in dance, drama, instrumental and other departments. A blend of demanding coursework, rehearsal, and professional-level performances teaches vocal majors a mental discipline and perseverance that extends to academic success and all other areas of their lives.

Curriculum 

Areas of Study:

• Advanced Junior High Choir
• Aural Skills 1
• Aural Skills 2
• Baby Grands- Select Women’s Choir
• Children’s Choir
• Chorale
• Junior High Women’s Choir
• Meridian 8- Select A Capella Choir
• Music History
• Voices of SCPA
• Women’s Ensemble

Auditions

Students interested in attending SCPA as part of the Vocal Music Department must pass a vocal music audition. For more information on the audition process or how to sign up, please visit the Audition Process & Procedures page.

VOCAL MUSIC Requirements

• Students must prepare and perform a vocal solo with piano accompaniment. A list of some suggested repertoire is provided below. Pop, rock, R&B, rap, and similar musical styles are not appropriate for the audition and not acceptable.
• Students auditioning for grades 4-6 may sing the song “America” provided in the 4-6 grade audition packet found on the Audition Process & Procedures page instead of choosing their own song. 
• The student must sing their selection from memory and must provide printed piano sheet music at the audition. Students may be asked to sing a round, scales, or intervals or to identify music notation symbols.
• Sheet music may be found at the Cincinnati Public Library or can be purchased at a music store (such as Willis Music) or online at www.musicnotes.com.

Suggested song choices:

A song from a Broadway musical (including, but not limited to)

• Annie
• Les Miserables
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
• My Fair Lady
• Oklahoma
• The Music Man
• The Phantom of the Opera
• The Sound of Music
• A piece from the 24 or 26 Italian Songs and Arias Collection 
• Vocal piece or art song (classical in nature, but can be from any era – i.e., Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Roger Quilter, etc.)
• Spiritual performed in a classical style (such as those arranged by Henry T. Burleigh) 

Boards

Proficiency assessments known as Boards are given each year in a student's artistic discipline. These assessments take various forms depending on the department, but are designed to test skill and knowledge progression in a student’s chosen arts field. Students who fail to pass their boards with a satisfactory rating will be placed on arts probation. Students who fail to pass 2 out of a series of 3 boards may be asked to leave SCPA, change or drop one of the artistic disciplines they are studying, or complete an arts intervention plan. For full policies and procedures, please see the Artistic Handbook on the Handbooks & Forms page.