Voice and Opera/Music Theatre Programs
Sonoma State University’s Voice Program promotes a collaborative, supportive environment for individual, artistic, and technical development. The program features weekly voice sessions with renowned vocal artists and pedagogues as well as collaborative pianists who play in-session. Voice students regularly have the opportunity to perform in the Opera/Music Theatre main stage production, Opera and Music Theatre Scenes, and to work with the SSU Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, Santa Rosa Symphony, Sonoma Bach, San Francisco Opera, and world-class guest artists from the Green Music Center’s multi-genre performance series. SSU also provides numerous opportunities for choral performance in its Symphonic Chorus, Concert Choir, and the select SonoVoce chamber choir.
Degrees Offered
Faculty
bentje@sonoma.edu
Green Music Center 2071
707-664-3925
2024-2025 Performance Dates
Music Theater Scenes
- November 19, 2024, 7:30pm in Schroeder Hall
- April 22, 2025, 7:30pm in Schroeder Hall
Past Productions
- 2023-2024: In the Heights
- 2022-2023: Once Upon a Mattress
- 2021–2022: Pirates of Penzance
- 2020–2021: Spring Awakening
- 2019–2020: Candide
- 2018–2019: Sweeney Todd
- 2017–2018: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
- 2016–2017: The Magic Flute
- 2015–2016: Into The Woods
- 2014–2015: Heroines
- 2013–2014: Fiddler On The Roof
Recent Choral-Orchestral Performances
- The Chieftains - Green Music Center
- Mozart’s Requiem - Santa Rosa Symphony
- Rachmaninoff’s The Bells - Santa Rosa Symphony
- Vivaldi’s Gloria - Santa Rosa Symphony
- Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky - Santa Rosa Symphony
Recent Masterclasses & Guest Artists
- Sara Williams (Sangin' Sara) - Jazz and CCM
- Heidi Melton, Bayreuth, Mariinsky Theatre, New York Philharmonic
- Danielle Wertz - Jazz
- Rhoslyn Jones, San Francisco Opera, Vancouver Opera, Opera Santa Barbera
- Dr. Kayleen Asbo - The Songs of Clara Schumann
- Calmus Ensemble
- Eric Jackson - Music Theatre
- Karen Clark - Feldenkrais
Opera and Music Theatre Scenes
It's amazing how much is learned, even among those who have been in many shows before! In Musical Theatre Scenes Workshop students learn from the ground up, about the form of a show, the props and costumes, the way that dialogue has to work and then how to use their speaking and singing voices to communicate. A performance course designed to broaden student's familiarity with the opera and musical theatre repertoire. Students have input regarding literature and often write their own scenes. The class is open to all students. May be repeated for credit.
Course Information
MUS 340 Music Theatre Scenes, 1 unit of credit
Meeting Dates
Mondays and Wednesdays 6:00-7:50 pm in Schroeder Hall
Instructor
Participation
Membership is open to all students, regardless of major. No audition is required. Prior vocal training and the ability to read music are ideal.
Vocal Repertory Class
This class is a weekly forum for singers to perform solo repertoire in progress. Students are divided into groups which perform in alternating succession throughout the semester. After performing, students receive constructive criticism and direction from the voice faculty and guest artists. Weekly discussion topics include elements of performing, vocal literature, business skills, and guest artists conduct occasional master-classes. Students produce three themed concerts per semester as a result of these endeavors.
Course Information
MUS 151/451 Vocal Repertory Class, 1 unit of credit
Meeting Dates
Wednesdays 1:00-2:50 pm in GMC Schroeder
Instructor
Voice Faculty
Participation
Required for all voice majors enrolled in private voice instruction. At the first class meeting, all students perform a solo of their choice in order to gain studio placement. A brief orientation will follow.
Private Voice Instruction
Individual study of voice, beginning through advanced. Focus on technique, repertoire, style, performance practice, and all elements of singing. May be repeated for credit.
Course Information
MUS 141/147/441/447 Private Voice Instruction, 1 unit of credit
Meeting Dates
By arrangement with private instructors.
Instructors
Participation
Sessions are available for all BM and BA students with voice as their primary instrument. Studio assignments are made after the initial class meeting of Vocal Repertory Class (MUS 151/451).
The first voice session will be scheduled beginning the first week of classes, after studio assignments have been made.