Sonoma State University’s Voice Program promotes a collaborative, supportive environment for individual, artistic, and technical development. The program features weekly voice lessons with renowned vocal artists and pedagogues as well as collaborative pianists who play in-lesson. Voice students regularly have the opportunity to perform in the Opera/Music Theatre mainstage 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.
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Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) In Vocal Performance
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Choral Music Education (Pre-Certification)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Voice
Faculty
Dr. Lynne Morrow, Director of Voice, Opera, and Music Theatre
Dr. Jenny Bent, Director of Choral Activities
Christa Durand, Lecturer in Voice
M. Jane Erwin, Lecturer in Voice
Mark Kratz, Lecturer in Voice
Krista Wigle, Lecturer in Voice
Music Theatre Production
Course Information: MUS 330/THAR 330 Music Theatre Production, 1-3 units of credit
Meeting Dates: Tuesday and Thursdays 7:00-10:00 pm and one Saturday per month 10:00am-5:00pm in GMC 1028
Description: A course devoted to the student and public performance of major works of operatic and musical theatre literature. Designed for singers, actors, and others interested in music theatre. The capstone is a fully staged, orchestrally accompanied performance. May be repeated for credit.
Instructor: Dr. Lynne Morrow
Participation: Participation in the Music Theatre Production is by audition, and is open to all students regardless of major, and members of the community. The rehearsal process occurs mainly in the fall semester, and the production period in the spring semester ending in mid-February.
Auditions: Fall 2021 Music Theatre Production Auditions will be held August 25–27 at Person Theatre and Ives Hall. Access audition materials and schedule an audition time.
2023 Performance Dates:
Once Upon a Mattress by Mary Rodgers, Marshall Barer, Jay Thompson, and Dean Fuller
February 10, 11, 17, 18 at 7:30pm
February 12, 19 at 2:00pm
Person Theater
Past Productions
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
Music Theatre Scenes
Course Information: MUS 340-001 Music Theatre Scenes, 1 unit of credit
Meeting Dates: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00-4:50 pm in GMC Schroeder Hall
Description: 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.
Instructor: Dr. Lynne Morrow
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.
First Meeting: The first class meeting is for Wed. August 18.
Fall Performance: November 30, 7:30pm, 2021, GMC Schroeder Hall
Opera Scenes
Course Information: MUS 340-002 Opera Scenes, 1 unit of credit
Meeting Dates: Fridays 9:00-11:40 am in GMC Schroeder Hall
Description: A performance course designed to broaden student's familiarity with the opera repertoire, performance practice, and staged performance. Students have input regarding literature, and learn a mix of arias (solos) and ensemble scenes. The class is open to all students. May be repeated for credit.
Instructor: Dr. Justin Montigne
Participation: Membership is open to all students regardless of major. No audition is required. Prior singing experience is beneficial, and the ability to read music is essential.
First Meeting: The first class meeting is for Friday, August 20.
Fall Performance: December 1, 7:30pm, 2021, GMC Schroeder Hall
Vocal Repertory Class
Course Information: MUS 151/451 Vocal Repertory Class, 1 unit of credit
Meeting Dates: Wednesdays 1:00-2:50 pm in GMC Schroeder/Weill/1028
Description: 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.
Instructor: Dr. Justin Montigne and the Voice faculty.
Participation: Required for all voice majors enrolled in private voice instruction.
First Meeting: The first class is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18. All students perform a solo of their choice in order to gain studio placement. A brief orientation will follow.
Private Voice Lessons
Course Information: MUS 141/147/441/447 Private Voice Instruction, 1 unit of credit
Meeting Dates: By arrangement with private instructor.
Description: Individual study of voice, beginning through advanced. Focus on technique, repertoire, style, performance practice, and all elements of singing. May be repeated for credit.
Instructors: Jane Erwin, Dr. Justin Montigne, and Danielle Wertz
Participation: Lessons 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).
First Lesson: The first voice lesson will be scheduled begging the week of August 23, after studio assignments have been made.
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