SDU’s staff includes some of the most respected professionals in the field of lyric diction today, including professional singers, vocal coaches, diction teachers, language experts and published authors, all discussing the pronunciation of song text in their native language. Our mission here is the same as the original podcast: to bring the sounds of foreign language alive for classical singers and vocal coaches all over the world.

With SDU, your favorite Diction Policemen are taking it one step further than the podcast, offering at reasonable prices:

• IPA transcriptions and translations of art songs, operas and oratorios in three languages (English, German, French) in PDF format.

• Streaming videos with readings by native speakers as well as extensive interviews discussing the diction rules and principles.

The University of Miami Frost School in Salzburg

This summer, study with world-renowned artists in the city that was the birthplace of one of the greatest musicians who ever lived—the “City of Mozart,” “Festival City,” “City of Music”—the city of Salzburg, Austria. The University of Miami School of Music at Salzburg is a five-week, comprehensive study program offering group and private instruction for singers and pianists.

The Crane School of Music

For over a century, our outstanding faculty of scholars and artist teachers has prepared students for successful careers in music. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures, and concerts presented by faculty, students, and guests each year. Browse these pages or visit our campus to experience what we have to offer.

The Crane Opera Ensemble

The award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble produces two, fully-staged productions each year (one with orchestra and one with a chamber instrumental group or piano). In addition, when appropriate, an Opera Scenes Workshop provides students the opportunity to study a partial role and perform it in an informal venue. The ensemble enjoys a collaborative relationship with the Department of Theatre & Dance, producing a musical every three years. Our opera education outreach program has served over 4,000 North Country school children, many experiencing opera for the first time.