University of North Texas 
Graduate Artist Certificate (GAC) Program
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Graduate Artist Certificate (GAC) - Division of Vocal Studies
The Division of Vocal Studies offers four GAC specializations:
- opera coaching
- opera conducting
- opera stage directing
- vocal performance
All students enrolled in the GAC program at the College of Music must present a public presentation or performance during each of the four semesters of the certificate program of study.
GAC - OPERA STAGE DIRECTING:
Students in the opera stage-directing certificate combine directing opportunities and lessons that will culminate in their own leadership of an opera production. Semesterly public projects for students in this program are required. Directing projects are tailored, in consultation with the major professor, to the individual student. Example projects include:
- Directing scenes within UNT Opera mainstage productions
- Producing and directing an opera scenes program
- Selecting and directing a one-act opera in a non-traditional performance space
The culmination of each student’s study in this program is the opportunity to develop and direct a UNT Opera production.
Students in the GAC opera stage directing program will serve as an assistant director to each production’s stage director on UNT Opera mainstage productions. Directing students will also assist with stage-management responsibilities and serve as critical liaisons between production departments.
Students in this program receive weekly individual lessons in techniques and methods of effective stage direction and collaboration. Students may also take elective credits in theater and performance studies.
GAC - VOCAL PERFORMANCE:
All students enrolled in the GAC program in vocal arts must complete a public performance of a recital* within each of the four semesters of the program.
*Recital credits for each semester may be fulfilled by completion of any of the following projects:
- Art Song Recital (may include concert and/or opera arias, musical theater repertoire)
- Concert/Oratorio and Early Music Recital
- Chamber Music Recital (minimum 80% of the repertoire is chamber music)
- Opera Role (leading)
- Opera Role Study
- 90% of the role, including all arias, must be publicly presented in recital
- Subject to coaching/music staff availability
- Singers are responsible for arranging additional singing participants
The recital should be planned in consultation with the major professor and, as appropriate in the case of opera role studies, the appropriate opera faculty. The recital must be planned and approved by the end of the third week of the semester.
Students may choose an internal specialization among three areas (though the College of Music awards a Graduate Artist Certificate in Music Performance to all students, regardless of instrument or specialization):
- Vocal Chamber Music (minimum of three chamber music recitals)
- Concert/Oratorio and Early Music (minimum of three recitals of this repertoire)
- Opera (minimum of two leading opera roles and 1 role study)
- Art Song
Students who do not choose a specialization may combine any of the recital formats; however, no more than 2 opera role studies may count as a recital credit, unless one of the opera role studies is combined in the semester with a featured (not leading) role with UNT Opera. In those cases, the role study/featured role combination does not count against the 2-opera role study maximum.