Program Overview

Artist Diploma (AD) in the field of Opera Performance

The Artist Diploma in the field of Opera Performance is a graduate program designed to provide advanced training in opera performance. Upon completing the program, students will be able to demonstrate technical mastery and musical expertise, master stylistic differences in performing music of various eras, accumulate a diverse list of repertoire, and acquire extra-musical career skills.

Program Learning Outcomes

The program learning outcomes for the Artist Diploma include:

• Demonstrating technical mastery and musical expertise requisite to having a significant professional career in their chosen area of performance.
• Mastering intellectually the stylistic differences when performing music of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, modern, and contemporary eras and applying them in performance.
• Accumulating a significantly expanded and diverse list of repertoire.
• Being equipped with multiple extra-musical career skills.

Requirements for the Artist Diploma

The requirements for the Artist Diploma include:

• A minimum of 41 credit hours to satisfy diploma requirements.
• A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level study (graduate semester credit hours, coursework at the 500-level or above).
• A minimum of 24 graduate semester credit hours must be taken at Rice University.
• A minimum residency enrollment of one fall or spring semester of full-time graduate study at Rice University.
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework.
• A minimum program GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework that satisfies requirements for the diploma program.

Diploma Requirements

The diploma requirements include:

• MUSI 760: Individual and Committee Instruction for Artist Diploma (minimum of 4 semesters), 4 credit hours.
• MUSI 761: Artist Diploma Recital 1, 0 credit hours.
• MUSI 762: Artist Diploma Seminar, 3 credit hours.
• MUSI 763: Artist Diploma Special Project (minimum of 2 semesters), 3 credit hours.
• MUSI 764: Artist Diploma Performance (minimum of 4 semesters), 3 credit hours.
• Academic Coursework: Select 2 courses from the Music Career and Skills Enhancement course offerings, 4 credit hours.

Academic Coursework

Academic coursework is comprised of a minimum of 2 courses (4 credit hours) from the Music Career and Skills Enhancement course offerings, including:

• LPCR 200: Advanced Mental Training
• MGMT 621: New Enterprises
• MGMT 625: Design Thinking
• MGMT 676: Leadership, Ethics, and Free Enterprise
• MUSI 413: Introduction to Dalcroze Eurhythmics
• MUSI 500: Imagination and Communication: Developing Musical Skills through Theatrical Techniques
• MUSI 501: Enhanced Performance: Writing, Speaking, Playing
• MUSI 502: Conducting: An Overview of Practical Skills
• MUSI 506: Performing with Today's Technology
• MUSI 507: Technology for Musicians
• MUSI 508: Fundamentals of Private Teaching
• MUSI 510: Professional Development for Musicians
• MUSI 519: Thematic Programming: The Art of the Recital
• MUSI 520: Business Communication for Musicians
• MUSI 538: The Art of Performance: Presence on Stage
• MUSI 540: Applied Jazz Improvisation: Developing Solo Improvisational Skills in the Jazz Idiom

Policies for the Artist Diploma

The policies for the Artist Diploma include:

• A live audition is required for Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Orchestral Conducting applicants.
• A minimum grade of B- (2.67 grade points) per course is expected of all music students in their major applied area.
• A grade of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in a course in the student's major applied area is considered unsatisfactory and will be evaluated accordingly.
• Music majors must obtain permission in writing from the dean of the Shepherd School before requesting a leave of absence from the university.
• Music majors taking voluntary withdrawal from the university are not guaranteed readmission into the Shepherd School and may be asked to reapply/reaudition.

Admission

A live audition is required for Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Orchestral Conducting applicants.

Academic Standards

The academic standards for the Artist Diploma include:

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework.
• A minimum program GPA of 2.67 or higher in all Rice coursework that satisfies requirements for the diploma program.
• A minimum grade of B- (2.67 grade points) per course is expected of all music students in their major applied area.

Transfer Credit

For Rice University's policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course and by the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Opportunities for the Artist Diploma

The opportunities for the Artist Diploma include:

• A visiting lecturer series, a professional concert series, and numerous distinguished visiting musicians contribute to the Shepherd School environment.
• The Houston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Masterworks Chorus, Da Camera, Context, and Chamber Music Houston, as well as the activities of other institutions of higher learning in the area, also provide exceptional opportunities for students to enjoy a wide spectrum of music.