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The State University of New York Purchase College

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityD Faculty AccessibilityD
Useful SchoolworkC Excess CompetitionD
Academic SuccessC+ Creativity/ InnovationD
Individual ValueB University Resource UseD
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyF FriendlinessB-
Campus MaintenanceF Social LifeF
Surrounding CityF Extra CurricularsF
SafetyA
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Afraid, Approachable, Broken Spirit

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful, Arrogant, Condescending, Unhelpful, Self Absorbed

Female
Bright
Lowest Rating
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty
F
Highest Rating
Safety
A
She cares more about Creativity/ Innovation than the average student.
Date: Jun 12 2008
Major: Music - Performance (This Major's Salary over time)
Hi everyone. I attended Purchase as an opera major for 4 years, and I do not feel I received the education I deserved. I am here, on this website, to warn any voice majors into coming into this program. I am not talking poorly about the orchestra, jazz, dance, theater, biology, anything else. Just the opera department.

I graduated a few years ago, and most of my class would agree with my statements below. For the first time you meet the head of the department, he will manipulate you into thinking you NEED TO COME HERE. No, you don't ! I, like the rest of my class, was forced into believing this bullshit. I actually consider myself one of the lucky ones. They did what they said, which was give me performance experience. I had plenty of it and my resume is lovely, but most people did not get that. If you don't study with the head of the department, or the wife of the head of the department, then your 4 years are going to be hell. I was lucky to study with the right person, from a political standpoint. And practically ruin my voice doing so. Contrary to what they say, switching teachers is a nightmare. Don't switch unless you have nodes (which many people do, and I did). If you do, then you will immediately get shit on, and have your life completely blown apart, like my friends did. It's sad. I honestly do feel bad that I am saying this. But at the same time, I want to warn the youngsters out there before it is too late. Don't make my same decision, please.

There ARE some good teachers here for voice, such as Sherry Overholt and Tom Goodheart, but again they aren't the head of the department, so no matter how good you are, you won't get any leads with these teachers, unless they love you (rare, but has happened). But at least your voice will be settled. The coaching staff is actually pretty good. Hugh Murphy was a great coach. Unfortunately he is consumed by the rule of Jacque Trussel, and his views, when I left, were very political. Nice man, he would do much better at program that wouldn't overwork him and his students. Might I add, that this entire program is VERY POLITICAL.

The director and many teachers should really get their ears checked. They are hurtful and liars. Don't trust them.

Another major thing I have to comment on: The first 3 years are hell, especially the first two, because they try to cram in sooo many classes and with all that time taken up, you never can work on your technique and voice. Isn't that the POINT, when you get out of conservatory, to have a great, sound, technique? Yes! But that doesn't happen, just the opposite in fact. Many burn out and leave. Unless you are a chosen one and they love you (which does happen, if you fit into the mold).

Another thing that bothers me about this program, is that they force their ideas of body image on you. Yes, I understand that in today's world of opera, it's important-looks matter. But they take it too far. I know many women (and men!) in my class and the classes before and after me, that were anorexic, bulimic, and were doing various drugs to keep their weight down. horribly sad, as if we don't get enough of this in the media.

Theory, ear training, vocal technique- not up to par at all. performance (for some), art song repertoire- very good. you learn alot of music and thats actually a good part of the program. But of course with limited time to really become engulfed in the musical piece, much of the work done on the pieces, are sloppy. so again, another miss. Unless you are a fantastic musician and can learn alot at a time, and understand the true meanings of poetry in that time. if you are one of the lucky ones, and you get stage time, you will get ALOT of stage time. For me, I did alot of roles and I loved that. This was my only escape. I did learn alot doing the roles, and acting lessons from the director (but no real acting class).

my advice: go to another school. find a great teacher and have a great voice when you leave, that's all you need. don't let Jacque manipulate you into thinking this is the only and best school. please. i'm sorry i went here. i had to take a year off so that i would feel compelled to start over. my confidence was shot here, as was my voice. Now I am lucky to be back on my feet and going to graduate school. I feel happy again. Before college, I was always happy and positive. This destroyed me. It literally took me a whole year and alot of therapy to get back on my feet.

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