r/ClassicalSinger

Hi! I'm 26 and recently started singing 6 months ago. I've been involved with music my whole life, started on piano and have been playing flute since I was around 10. I decided to take up singing to improve my breath support/tone for flute playing, but realized very quickly that I'm so much more passionate about classical singing than I have ever been for flute playing.

I studied linguistics and speak several languages, so I think much of the appeal in singing lies in getting to sing in different languages. I've had so much fun watching all sorts of Operas these last several months. I'm obviously not at the point where I'm ready to drop all my other life plans and exclusively do classical singing, but I can't imagine having the same passion for anything else in my life, and my dream would be to one day, way down the line, get to perform in stage productions of different operas.

For the singers out there, is this realistic? Most people I know who get gigs as singers have been doing it since they were kids. I feel like I'm late to the game. Vocal folds feel so much different than a flute, in that it takes time to develop. That's why I'm curious if there's a standard timeline.

Thank you!

Losing my mind trying to find the sheet music for Alcina’s ‘di cor mio’ - am willing to pay/buy an anthology but I can’t even find one that includes it lmao. Happens semi often with some arias, so where do u guys go to get sheet music when it’s not so easily found online or in a bookshop? Tia 🩷

hey people, i’m a 22 year old mezzo going into a masters program and i’m curious: what (in your opinion) are the “must know” arias for mezzos, the ones that the audition panel will want you to pull out of your ass? My aria rep is mostly as follows:

both cherubinos
faites lui
que fais tu
di tanti palpiti
thy hand belinda
ah se tu dormi
se romeo

i’m experimenting with more coloratura and have a decent upper extension. what would you add to this list?

Hello! I'm doing lots of research and soul-searching still but I am eager to apply for my masters this fall. I have an undergrad degree in voice performance and music education, and have been teaching high school for 8 years (choir, music theory, directing musicals) while also choral singing professionally when I can.

My conundrum is that while I like conducting and teaching (though I'm running out of steam with public high school education), I also want to study/pursue voice and singing professionally. I used to perform a lot more and I want to bring that side of me back as well. I'm wondering where should I look/logistically go about this. Should I initially apply for choral conducting? Performance/voice? Both? Double major in a masters program if they allow? Basically, I'd like to be somewhere that can bridge my passions as best as possible.

Any guidance and tips would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

I've recently started warming up my entire range, starting from the middle, down to my lowest chest notes and then all the way up to the whistle. I've found that not only does this help with my (notoriously evil) middle register, but my whistle notes have more weight and stability to them as well. Throughout my studies I've had teachers test my chest voice capabilities a handful of times, but it was otherwise ignored in favor of honing the "wow factor" of tops and passaggios.

Is there science behind this or is it a matter of preference?

I have been mixing my own songs since last 10 years. Now, from last 4 - 5 years when I realised that I've become very good at it, I started mixing for other artists also at a budget friendly price. Today I am posting this hoping I can get some clients here as well...Give me a chance if u are a singer / rapper.

(Pay me only if you think the mix is good)

I am a tenor who is learning classical mandolin on my own. Mostly a beginner except I have a little rock bass and guitar knowledge.

I am looking for vocal pieces that have mandolin accompaniment. I know Deh, vieni ala finestra from Don Giovanni but it is really not in my range. It seems to me there ought to be a bunch of serenades and aubades that match this description.

Bonus points for French songs because that's what I like to sing. Even more bonus if it has fun and funny or even goofy characterization like Schubert's An Die Laute.

At this point in my training, it seems that the leading edge of speech really sets the balance, while drinking the upper register notes (inhalare la voce is the term that keeps popping up) helps me reduce excess pressure while keeping it in the pocket.

I'm a larger tenor, fwiw, but don't think that really has any bearing ​​here. I'm able to sing into the top, but I know there's still too much pressure.

Hello there! I've been studying classical singing for 8 years now, I am a Mezzo Soprano, I have a pretty good range (can go pretty low and high too) and my voice has a quite deep, dramatic, sometimes even heavy and loud sound. I was happy with how my voice sounded, until now... I'll explain: So after the summer exams that took place, the principal of the conservatory told my teacher that I need to make my voice more flexible and light it up a bit, because it tends to get quite dark and heavy and this actually blocks the flexibility of my voice. Ever since I've been thinking about how am I going to make my voice more flexible, what exercises are going to help me, so I can practice during the summer and get a more desirable form, until the conservatory opens again in autumn. I'll take consideration in any advice you give me. My aim is to get better and better with time! Thank you all in advance!

P.S. excuse me if my writing isn't the best, English is not my first language :,)

I'm a 24 year old baritone bass. I've been studying singing privately and intermittently competing/performing for about eight years. I would like to make a major life re-direction by making professional singing my priority for my career. However, I'm not sure if this is the right thing for me to do right now. I would like some advice from people, including from those who are older or have more singing experience than I do.

A synopsis of my life is: When I was in high school, singing and acting were together my primary focus. I got into my top school, one of the best conservatories in the US, but didn't attend because I would've had to go into sever debt and another school offered me a great scholarship (not for singing).

During college, COVID hit, and I gave up singing for several personal and mental reasons, among them being a total lack of self-confidence, bitterness from COVID, discouragement from my family, and pressure from them to pursue a more stable career. I was content to sing at church and wherever else as a hobby.

Still, throughout college I kept taking lessons at my university and then with a professor (who's the best teacher I ever had) at a local university during my first year of working. Most of my teachers have seriously encouraged me to pursue singing as more than a hobby, saying I could do it. I chalked it up to flattery and didn't go for it, probably for the reasons described above.

Anyway, I wasn't satisfied in the workforce and ended up enrolling in a seminary, with the end goal of becoming a pastor. For that seminary program, I've studied in Germany for this year. My German voice and piano teachers have also both urged me to pursue singing further. I've also grown disenchanted with seminary at the moment.

In short, my lost dream of singing as returned to the forefront of my mind: I understand a career in singing is not guaranteed, but I figure that I'll never have one if I don't give it a serious shot. I'm also agreeable to working as a music teacher/professor if I earn advanced degrees in music but can't provide for myself and my family through singing. So, I'm wondering right now whether I should continue in the seminary (I have three years left) or leave the program now, work for at least the next school year, and apply for MM's in USA and bachelor vocal programs in Germany beginning as early as Fall 2027. On the one hand, if I am no longer enthusiastic about becoming a pastor, perhaps I should leave, find a full time job now, and pursue singing and music with all my free time for the next year. On the other hand, becoming a pastor before pursuing musical education may provide me a flexible and stable, albeit low-paying, job for supporting my musical pursuits. (Plus, it may open up doors for me to work as a church musician after pursuing an MM, which would be a nice job.) I would have also three more years for my voice to mature. It would make performances on Sunday mornings difficult, though.

I'm under a lot of stress right now. I don't know what to do. My wife and I are expecting our first kid, which makes me think I should definitely pursue a musical degree as soon as possible. Taking a year off to focus on singing and prepare to enter music programs sounds quite appealing. I'm just worried it's a dumb choice. On the other hand, I've had several professional singers, musicians, and friends telling me that I should pursue this fully, and I may always regret never giving it my all and at least trying.

So, the main question: Should I give up my current life direction to pursue singing fully (which is what I want to do), or is it hopeless at this stage?

I will say, if we had half the youtube resources 20 years ago that we have now, I never would have gotten so out of practice! All the warm ups and accompaniment tracks.... it's amazing! I did lots of singing in college, including private lessons and recitals. Former soprano 1 (I could do QotN for fun. not amazingly, but to enjoy it). Currently.... everything feels like a strain, so I've been focusing on youtube warmups. Goal: to be able to comfortably sing Tosca, for myself, in the shower. I'll take all the best advice you've got!

I (F36) have been working professionally as a singer for almost 15 years, 10 in NYC. I've done well in that realm but have also always had parallel careers in education and arts admin.

Last year I finally bit the bullet and got a full-time day job, and I LOVE the stability! I've still been singing on the side, but it's been tricky balancing despite my day job being super flex (I'm so lucky in that regard).

On a low-singing week, I practice maybe 3x. I'll up it when I have a big gig. My endurance isn't as good as when I was singing chorally all the time, but also most of my gigs are solo these days anyway.

I've also always had major sinus issues (chronic sinusitis and allergies), plus some other chronic health issues that have impacted my voice over the years. I'm fortunate I've found a way to sing through it, but I've always found consistency really tough, and I feel like since I've not been singing quite as much I'm struggling with it even more. Some days I think "Wouldn't it be nice to just not have to worry about my voice?" But then when it's working well I still love it and I still enjoy many of the gigs I do.

So my question is: Has anyway made the decision to fully stop singing in middle age? If so, why did you do it, how did you feel about it at the time, and how do you feel about it now? I think I'm scared of "losing it", especially as a woman getting into peri years where lots will change anyway. It's such a core part of my identity that it's hard to imagine letting it go fully.

Does anybody know of an ENT who works for Kaiser and has knowledge/experience working with singers. Ideally, the doctor works in San Francisco/North Bay/East Bay. Appreciate the recommendations!

So I’ve had a pending request for the Facebook group YAC tracker since August of last year and STILL have not been let in. I’m a young artist in grad school for opera, and it would really benefit me to be in the group and see what people are saying about companies and YAPs. I’ve messaged the only admin multiple times on Facebook and Instagram and gotten no response. Is anyone else experiencing this?? Was I deemed unworthy?? 😭😭 HELP

Hi, I just wanted to post to say isn't classical singing amazing in how many subtleties there are to fine-tuning your technique ? 🙂 I have a good teacher and constantly try to improve on my own too, and have been taking it seriously for about 14 years, but every week I feel like I still discover new things. It would be hard to explain to a non-singer who thinks you just need a 'good voice' and to open your mouth and sing...

Hi all. I'm hoping to seek some views on songs that are appropriate for a developing singer that have a similar vibe to "Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse" which is probably my dream song to sing. Unfortunately my teacher has said "not yet" to any of of Dalila's songs until my technique becomes a bit more settled, so I was wondering if there are some easier songs out there that may be equally satisfying to sing. My teacher says he'll have a think but I'm hoping to do my own research.

My background: hobbyist/amateur singer (no plans to do this professionally), 31F, 2 years into classical singing lessons. Voice is still developing. We think my voice is that of a mezzo soprano, but other than that no particular labels. Some songs that sit really well for my current voice are:

• Youkali by Weill in C minor or B minor
• Extracts from Schubert's Winterreise in the middle key (specifically Der Lindenbaum, Die Krähe, Gefrorne Tränen)
• Sleep by Gurney in the middle key
• King David by Howell in the middle key
• Verdi Prati by Handel
• Net tolko tot kto znal by Tchaikovsky in the original key
• Dlya beregov otchizni dal'noy by Borodin in the original key

What I like about "Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse" is how passionate it is while still being lyrical, and the complex and turbulent emotions expressed by a morally grey character, the sensuality and seduction (!) and where it sits in the voice.

Happy with any time period, any language, any medium (oratorio, art song, opera) as long as it's appropriate for my level of development.

Ideas welcome!