Vocal Performance: B.M.
If your future dreams include singing, Ouachita’s rich music tradition and caring faculty can prepare you for a life of music through classroom instruction, studio sessions and performances, including our annual Mary Shambarger Competition for Singers (with scholarship awards!).
With a vocal performance degree, you can take the stage with the best, but you’ll also be prepared for career options in education, private instruction, directing or conducting. You’ll not only learn to express yourself as a singer, but you’ll be encouraged to grow in your love for God and others!
Professional Singer
Graduate Study in Voice
Choir Director
Private Voice Teacher
Director/Conductor for Operas & Musicals
College Voice Professor
Opera Theatre Production
Vocal Diction I - II
Vocal Pedagogy
Vocal Literature
Choral Conducting
View the Ouachita catalog for a full course listing with course descriptions.
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Students Enrolled in Applied or Elective Voice in Fall 2025
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Shows Cast With Undergraduates Only
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Finalists in the Spring 2025 Arkansas NATS Auditions
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Faculty Hold Doctor of Music in Voice Performance Degrees
In their words
hear from a faculty member & student
“I chose the vocal performance major because I love performing classical music and want to be an opera singer. I chose Ouachita because voice students are encouraged to pursue opera as undergrads. I’ve loved being part of the fall opera productions. The voice professors are incredible, caring, kind and professional, and my voice has grown so much with just one year of instruction. The extra performing opportunities have helped build my confidence and my love for being onstage. I love that I'm developing a deep understanding of music and the world of performing arts.”
Valerie Barnthson
2028 vocal performance major from Krum, Texas
Perform, Perform, Perform!
In addition to an opera theatre production in the fall, you’ll sing in Ouachita’s annual Festival of Christmas. You can join auditioned ensembles like Ouachita Singers and Ouachita Worship, as well as the non-auditioned Concert Choir and Gospel Choir. You’re also encouraged to explore workshops, plays and other theatre events, including the One Act Play Festival, All-Night Theatre and the student-directed Muse Project.
Learn Multiple Music Genres
Professional singers, singing teachers and choir directors must be well-versed in multiple singing styles. As a vocal performance major, your main focus will be on classical vocal music, but you will also learn a variety of musical styles – from contemporary worship music to musical theatre belting to jazz and much, much more! Each member of our professionally trained voice faculty can teach just about any style you want to learn.
Experience International Cultures
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music in vocal performance degree will learn two of the following languages: Italian, German or French. The Daniel & Betty Jo Grant Center for International Education offers opportunities for you to broaden your horizons and put your language skills to work. Take advantage of study abroad options in Rome, Italy or Salzburg, Austria. Sharpen your Spanish in Spain or learn Japanese in Japan.
A stage
for every season
Ouachita Baptist University is full of musical opportunities. Give a sophomore recital; ring in the holiday season through the Festival of Christmas; act in the 10-Minute Play Festival; record a track with music industry peers or lead worship in Berry Chapel. There’s a place for you at Ouachita to share your gifts!
School of Performing Arts
The School of Performing Arts is committed to providing you with an outstanding experience in wonderful facilities with cutting-edge instruments and equipment. We strive for a balance between a Christian education and professional education through a challenging atmosphere of creativity and collaboration. We are dedicated to facilitating critical thinking, the creative process and personal expression by developing and maintaining curricular and performance programming which emphasizes the creative process.
GET IN TOUCH
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