Preparing the singing voice specialist revisited

In review of singing voice specialist preparation, discussion can be chronicled prior to the establishment of Arts Medicine in 1987. Although discussion began in 1984 (and earlier), no formal academic program currently exists to train the singing voice specialist. The need now is greater than ever for a formal program of study to prepare a person who seeks to be a singing voice specialist. The question of adequate preparation continues to be in need of an appropriate answer because no formal training programs or fellowships are available. It is essential to first define the role of singing voice specialists and the populations that they will encounter. To meet the needs of a diverse population, care of the professional voice demands cross-disciplinary training. Knowledge from the fields of music, science, medicine and communication disorders and experience/observation, clinical preparation, and research would provide for optimal preparation. To meet this need, development of a Masters degree program seems highly desirable. The structure of such a program is proposed, along with specific requirements outlined from the music and singing voice pathology components for a Masters Degree in Arts Medicine with a concentration in voice.