The vocal cord is a natural instrument we were all born with. With talent and much hard work, a vocalist may be able to utilize this "instrument" within to the uttermost.

Like many musicians the vocalist may search and train a lifetime in order to produce the perfect sound.

In 1958, Dr. Thor Johnson, a visiting professor at National Taiwan Normal University from the United States, introduced the Mozart opera Bas Tiear and Bas Timme, thereby opening another road for Chinese vocalists.

Now this road is wider than ever. In the beginning vocalists from the R.O.C. gathered in Italy. Recently there have also been many vocalists going to the United States, Germany, Austria, France, and other western countries for training, yet Italy remains the top choice for most vocalists who feel that Italy is the best place to undergo training.

The conservatory of Santa Cecelia and the Conservatory of Giuseppe Verdi in Rome are a "camping ground" for many students from the R.O.C., 90% of which are female.

Unlike the education system in the United States and Canada, you'll have to spend considerably more time under the European education system if you want to get a degree. In Italy for example, it will most likely take you five years.

Vocalist Chu T'ai-li, who has returned to the R.O.C. and participated in several operas, noted that since vocalists from around the globe desire to go to Italy for "fine tuning," Italy once set up some special classes for aged foreign vocalists which took only two years to complete, but these special classes were stopped after 1970.

So vocalists who wish to study in Italy should prepare themselves for what might turn out to be one very long battle.

Before a student goes abroad for study, he or she must pass the language examination given by the Ministry of Education. The exam is usually held in February and visas are only issued after the results are in. What this means is that students who must take the entrance examination held in Italy in June seldom meet the deadline. So most students usually go to Italy first and enroll in the Language School of Perugia for language instruction. In this way they can obtain a visa and make the deadline for the entrance examination without having to pass the language examination given by the Ministry of Education first. After all, if you don't pass the examination you can first spend time learning the language, and then go on from there.

According to Italian regulations a person may apply to only one institution per year. If you don't make it this year, then you'll just have to wait until the next. A foreign student once tried applying to the National Conservatory of Music and another private institution during the same year. As it turned out he got caught and his test results were cancelled.

The entrance examination is not necessarily difficult. It usually consists of preparing a song or an aria. If you've got what it takes, then you'll pass. Due to the outstanding caliber of students from the R.O.C.--be it singing, listening, or music reading ability--they are stronger than the local students and usually rank highly.

Teachers and students have the opportunity to choose one another. Since learning is done on a one-on-one basis, the temperament of the professor is something to take into consideration. Does the professor understand the wants and needs of Oriental students? This is really something to consider carefully, just think of all the trouble you could save yourself. Don't allow yourself to flunk out as a Chinese student did last year. Instead, change professors.

After studies get underway the next obstacle to overcome is the language. Since language proficiency accounts for just a fraction of the entrance examination, school regulations stipulate that students take required literature courses necessary to graduate.

After graduating, students from the R.O.C. usually return to their country. Very few remain in Italy or Europe since it's most difficult for a Chinese person to establish a name in the "kingdom of vocalists."

One of the reasons for this is that the operas are products of a foreign country. Foreign operas which are suitable for Chinese people are few indeed and the opportunity to get on stage is even less optimistic.

After becoming a professional vocalist, there's no guarantee that you'll be signing any contracts. In addition to talent it may take some connections to get places. For Chu T'ai-li there were times when she couldn't get her hands on a contract, while at other times several came all at once and she had to refuse them. She describes this type of living like "hanging by a thread."

Since every day is like walking on pins and needles, some people are superstitious about little things such as being careful so as not to place the sheet music upside down, not sitting on the sheet music, not wearing purple clothing, not passing under the staircase, and spitting three times before wearing new clothes. By doing so it's said that you can avoid bringing bad luck upon yourself.

Luckily students who return to the R.O.C. don't bring back these superstitions with them--most of them are engaged in the teaching profession. In the past few years the music environment has improved in the R.O.C. giving the talented more of an opportunity to perform on stage. Hopefully after several years vocal students who studied in Italy will no longer be referred to as "a broken record."

[Picture Caption]

(Left) Producing sounds accurately is fundamental for a vocalist.

(Right) Small instruction groups composed of vocal professors and accompanists are a great benefit to students.

(Above) Artist Huo Kang has bought many original recordings while studying in Italy. Now, his house has become a big gathering place for students.

(Below) The Conservatory of Giuseppe Verdi has collected many manuscripts from composers.

(Above) In Italy special efforts are made to preserve architecture and relics. Even ordinary houses have their own charm.

(Below) Vocalist Chu T'ai-li, who studied in Italy, is seen here at her new farm residence.

Window shopping can improve one's taste and understanding of new trends. It's one of the most convenient forms of free entertainment that students studying in Italy can enjoy.

（Left） Producing sounds accurately is fundamental for a vocalist.

（Right） Small instruction groups composed of vocal professors and accompanists are a great benefit to students.

（Above） Artist Huo Kang has bought many original recordings while studying in Italy. Now, his house has become a big gathering place for students.

（Below） The Conservatory of Giuseppe Verdi has collected many manuscripts from composers.

（Above） In Italy special efforts are made to preserve architecture and relics. Even ordinary houses have their own charm.

（Below） Vocalist Chu T'ai-li, who studied in Italy, is seen here at her new farm residence.

Window shopping can improve one's taste and understanding of new trends. It's one of the most convenient forms of free entertainment that students studying in Italy can enjoy.