Date of Award

Fall 2018

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

School

Music

Committee Chair

Taylor Hightower

Committee Chair School

Music

Committee Member 2

Kimberley Davis

Committee Member 2 School

Music

Committee Member 3

Jonathan Yarrington

Committee Member 3 School

Music

Committee Member 4

Joseph Brumbeloe

Committee Member 4 School

Music

Committee Member 5

Edward Hafer

Committee Member 5 School

Music

Abstract

Many notable opera singers have been virtuosic tenors; Franco Corelli, Plácido Domingo, James King, José Carreras, Ramón Vinay, Jon Vickers, and Carlo Bergonzi. Besides being great tenors, each of these singers share the fact that they transitioned from baritone to tenor.

Perhaps nothing is more destructive to the confidence of a singer than to have his vocal identity or voice type challenged. Many singers have experienced this, and not always by way of advice or as a gentle suggestion, but rather, as a solution to a fundamental deficiency regarding the singer’s voice. Though undergoing a transition to another vocal fach is an arduous process, many singers owe the success and longevity of their careers to making a change in voice type.

This study will endeavor to provide information about a specific pedagogical topic that has been underrepresented in the literature. The objective of this document will be to equip the singer or teacher of singing with the tools necessary to discern whether or not a baritone is a candidate for transitioning to tenor and provide a strategy for negotiating this challenge.

ORCID ID

0000-0003-1494-778

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