Making the Cut: Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier Faculty of Music Voice Coordinator Kimberly Barber is on sabbatical this year so we had the pleasure of hearing from Daniel Lichti, acting coordinator, offer the following highlights:

1. Wilfrid Laurier has been experiencing modest growth in the past few years with approximately 75 singers. Of those 75 singers, most of them are in the undergraduate program.
2. Laurier offers a BMus and a one year Opera Diploma. This opera program performs excerpts in the fall and a full production in the spring.
3. Along with the opportunities presented with the opera program, singers are able to perform at least twice a semester in the Noon Recital series as well as in weekly master classes with Daniel Lichti and in guest master classes.
4. Laurier is unique in that it offers professional accompanists for studio and lessons - no other university pays for this feature!
5. The Kitchener-Waterloo community hosts a number of professional music groups including the K-W Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Series and semi-professional choirs.
6. The ultimate showcase for the Faculty is their Laurier Day (this year it will be held on Friday November 6) where all voice studios are open, there will be open Master Classes, open regular classes, an opportunity to meet current students, hang out in the building and get a sense of the community and finally, for any potential incoming singer, a mock Master Class and trial lessons with teachers of your choice. This is a FANTASTIC opportunity to see a music program in action and Laurier was the only school present to offer this in a formal way!