A visiting faculty member widely regarded as one of opera’s greatest singers taught a master class Tuesday night in Pitman Recital Hall in Catlett Music Center, and will hold another session at 7 p.m. om Friday, which is free and open to the public.

In the chance of a lifetime, vocal music students received lessons from the legendary Marilyn Horne, who has been working with OU students since 1998, according to a press release.

During her introduction, voice professor William Neill said “we are very thankful to President Boren for having the vision to bring someone to OU who is one of the greatest artists of the surrounding centuries. Every university in the country just envies us right now.”

Of Horne’s talent, Neill went on to say “when I last saw her I was a student myself, and I was just in rapture.”

Horne, whose short stature and modest demeanor belies her legendary voice, spoke briefly before jumping into the master class.

“I’ve always thought that I’d eventually get up here and finally prove to you all that I don’t know anything,” she said. “Well, I’ve changed my mind, and now I that I think about it I do know a little something.”

Four hopeful voice students performed one at a time in front of Horne and the public, with Horne interrupting periodically to interject criticism, suggestions and compliments.

Jamie Killion, music graduate student, was the first to perform. It was his third opportunity to sing for Horne in a master class, but he said it in no way assured him of a good performance.

“You may think [I] would be totally at ease, but I was to sing a piece that I had never performed in public, so I was a little curious about how it would go,” he said. “Ten minutes before I was to sing, my neck felt stiff and my energy level had dropped to about two percent, and I was really wondering if I was going to have a good experience.”

James Miller, music graduate student, also performed for Horne. He said that while it was a fantastic opportunity to sing for someone so legendary, there was tremendous pressure.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous last night,” he said. “Ms. Horne demands excellence, and will not let singers get away with anything less. Doing a master class with her is more like going through a workout than having fun just singing, but it is only intensive work that will make us improve as singers.”

Killion also admitted that he has the jitters before his performance, especially in front of somebody like Horne in addition to a live audience. But it all went away as soon as he began to sing, he said.

“I walked onto the stage and spoke with her and the audience, and then sang ... pretty well. She had some very helpful instructions for me and I would say that it was a completely positive experience,” he said.

Horne’s criticism paid off well for Miller as well, he said.

“I walked away with many ideas on how to sing more musically and on how to improve my technique,” he said. “Most importantly, though, I would say the energy she radiates and her dedication to great singing have inspired me to work even harder with my teacher here to improve my voice.”

For Killion, Horne’s suggestions led to a notable difference in his own performance, as well as everyone else in general.

“Because I also teach singers, there is so much to learn from her technique and interaction with the other singers. She did amazing things last night as she graciously diagnosed vocal issues and led [the singers] to try it a different way. The whole audience could hear the difference, and that is wonderful and powerful.”