Classical Vocal

Students currently in 8th-11th grades may apply for High School Arts Instruction.

The NOCCA Classical Vocal Music Department accepts talented students who have an aptitude and interest in pursuing classical vocal music. The Vocal Music Curriculum is designed to develop the student’s vocal technique, performance skills, and musicianship. Classes include Voice Class (vocal technique and repertoire), Music Theory, Musicianship (ear training and sight singing), Piano Class, Opera Workshop and Choral Ensemble.

At the live in-person audition, which will take approximately 10-15 minutes, you will be asked to:

      • Demonstrate a singing voice with potential in classical music by singing one prepared and memorized song from the following list:

o Any Italian art song from the 24 Italian Art song book (G. Shirmer). We recommend Caro mio ben or Sebben crudele for beginning students.
o One of these songs: “Danny Boy," “Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes"
o Two verses of a hymn
o A traditional spiritual

No other song genres are permitted. Some of these songs are linked below for download. Please bring the sheet music in your key for our accompanist to play for you at your audition. You must sing with our piano accompanist- no a capella singing, please. Please dress appropriately for an audition (in nice clothes) and memorize your audition piece.

    • Demonstrate the ability to match pitches and melodies that will be played for you on the piano.
    • Repeat clapped rhythms (example available in link below).
    • Sing a major scale ascending and descending.
    • Be able to discuss with the Vocal Music faculty your grades and your desire to explore Classical Vocal Music.
    • Demonstrate basic music sight-reading skills involving simple rhythmic and melodic sequences (An example of the sight singing may be downloaded from the link below)
    • Answer basic music theory questions.
    • Read aloud a short poem in English that will be given to you at the audition.

click here for clapped rhythm and sight singing examples and click here for song examples.

In addition to individual department requirements, all applicants will:

    • Upload to the application a 1-2 minute video of the applicant answering the question, “Why do I want to train at NOCCA?"
    • Upload to the application a copy of the most recent report card. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
    • Be prepared with the email of an adult who is not related to you to complete your recommendation. Your recommender will receive an email from Acceptd with a link to fill out a recommendation form online.

Faculty

Photo of Mark-Anthony Thomas

Mark-Anthony Thomas

Vocal Instructor, Musicianship Vocal Music

Biography

Emerging tenor Mark-Anthony Thomas is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is graduate of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, where he studied vocal music and received a Certificate of Artistry under the tutelage of Phyllis Treigle. He was selected as a winner of the New Orleans Junior Philharmonic Society competition in 2009. In 2012 Mark-Anthony traveled to Italy to study opera with the Siena Summer Music Festival under the direction of Metropolitan Opera veteran Dana Talley. Mark-Anthony is also a member of the New Orleans Opera Association Chorus and has appeared in its productions of Madame Butterfly, La Bohème, Carmen, Tosca, Die Fledermaus, Sweeney Todd, and Champion. He performed the title role in the world premiere of Chris Burton’s The Self Portrait of Jonathan Jenkins with New Fangled Opera, and in 2013 performed in Jennifer Jolley’s Krispy Kremes and Butter Queens as the Angel/Announcer #2. He also has performed various roles and concerts in the greater New Orleans area, specifically productions at Loyola University New Orleans, including Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi (Gherardo), Gounod’s Romeo and Juliette (Tybalt), Kurt Weill’s Street Scene (Daniel Buchanan), Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites (First Commissioner), Massenet’s Cendrillion (Le Roi), and most recently, Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges (La Théière). Mark-Anthony appeared in Nicholls State University’s production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Peter) in 2016. Mark-Anthony has appeared in Opera Creole’s and Cripple Creek Theatre Co.’s production of Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha as Andy in 2017 and as Servant/First Soldier in Jose Rivera’s, Sueño in 2018. Also in 2018, Mark-Anthony was a finalist in the World War II Museum’s Stage Door Idol Competition.

Mark-Anthony received his Master of Music from Loyola University New Orleans, studying with internationally acclaimed artist, Luretta Bybee.

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