The Elon Vocal Scholars is an audition-based program for talented singers from any major passionate about enriching and serving the community through singing.
Twelve first-year Elon Vocal Scholars capped the program’s first year with a concert at a nearby retirement community.
Each performed solos, and three students sang as a trio, with University Accompanist Tyson Hankins during a performance at the Village at Brookwood in Burlington, North Carolina.
Elon Vocal Scholars is a select, audition-based program for incoming first-year students interested in any academic major and who want to develop their singing talent to enhance Elon and the local community. The program is designed for each scholar to hone their voice and technique through instruction and individual performance based on their musical passions.
The 12 students in the first cohort of vocal scholars included students majoring in music performance, music theatre and biochemistry. They each performed in at least one of Elon’s vocal ensembles, a requirement of the program, but scholars also established leadership in student a cappella groups and performed in campus productions, including the Music Theatre Program’s annual Grand Night.
They also took individual voice lessons with Elon faculty throughout the year to develop their vocal technique in the styles of singing each is interested in.
“This was a year to introduce them to Elon and the community, and begin their vocal training with Elon’s expert faculty,” said Polly Cornelius, coordinator of Elon Vocal Scholars and senior lecturer in music.
Even in its first year, the program is having the intended effect of bringing top talent to Elon and enhancing the campus and community through music performance, Cornelius said.
“We wanted to engage students with varied academic and musical interests to enhance music in the community. We wanted to recruit different voice types and students who are passionate about different styles of singing — from classical, to pop, to music theatre — because those different styles are needed across campus,” Cornelius said.
There are 19 vocal scholars in the incoming 2024-25 cohort. In its second year, Cornelius expects to grow the program’s collaborations with organizations and events on Elon’s campus and in the broader community.