<p>OK, this is my first time posting…so forgive me if I sound inexperienced. I am! 
For those of you who have attended MT auditions at various colleges, would you say that most girls auditioning are power belters or legit sopranos? Or both? Do you have any idea which of the top schools prefer belters? How about CMU? I’d love to know the breakdown of types they select each year. Also~about the dancing portion of the audition…is it advanced ballet? I mean, do the kids have to leap across the floor? My daughter is about to begin her journey into the world of MT auditions and I have SO many questions!
Also~SoozieVT, are you the Susan from the old Annie forum? If you are…can you believe how quickly time has flown by? From Annie to college!</p>
<p>I don't know if this helps you, but my daughter attended the CMU precollege summer program this past summer. She said that the girl CMU accepted from CMU pre-college had a very strong belt. Now, I'm not sure if this is all they are looking at, because when we saw the kids that are currently in the school, there was a cross section of soprano type voices and also the belt sound. However, the sophomore in the program already had an incredible belt (I thought she was a senior). Hope this helps and maybe others will chime in. Lastly, my d. said that the young man that was accepted was strong in all three areas and she could see why they liked him.</p>
<p>Racmom, Thank you so much for your quick reply! I'd love to ask you another question. My daughter is going to be auditioning for four MT colleges, one of which is CMU. She has chosen two conflicting songs (one up-tempo and one ballad), but they are both belt songs. Do you think that's ok? Or should she sing a sweet, soprano ballad?</p>
<p>tinamay...for your "contrasting" songs it is ideal if one is a belt and one shows a legit voice if she is strong in both. If your D is a "belter" only than try to show contrast in dynamics as well as tempo. Two big belt songs, one up-tempo and one ballad would not necessarily show enough range. Also, it is a good idea to have a repertoire of at least 2 up-tempos and 2 ballads. Schools are often looking for different things in an audition and it is hard to find 2 songs to accommodate all the schools. In addition, sometimes they ask for something else and it's a good idea to have music in your book on standby.
Good luck...</p>
<p>I have a comment on "my daughter is going to be auditioning for four MT colleges"</p>
<p>That seems like such a small number. Most experienced people on this board seem to advise between 8 and 10 plus 1 or 2 non-audition schools.</p>
<p>CMU takes 4 females each year - one which has has already been accepted - thus 3 slots. It says on another thread that they had 750 kids audition last year for MT and Acting. So if we guess 500 for MT and 60% are girls and that this year will be similar thats 300 girls for 3 slots or 1%.</p>
<p>You might want to consider adding some more schools.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>The ideal in an audition is to show as much contrast as you can. CMU accepts both belters and legit singers. Be really sure to have a true legit and pre-1960s song for the audition. If you don't, they will call you on it.</p>
<p>I just wanted to explain why my daughter is only applying to 4 MT schools. Actually, it's five auditions - but one is a BFA in professional acting. She has already been accepted to two safety schools, one is Indiana, which has a great theatre department. She will be sending in a video to be invited to audition for MT. But, theatre majors at Indiana can take many MT classes. Great program! So, if she doesn't get into any MT schools, she will still be very happy. Also, she's been accepted to Iowa (which she's also visited and loves.) She's been academically approved to audition at University of Illinois for a BFA in professional acting, and then she will audition for CMU, Ithaca, and NYU in Chicago in February. So, if she gets into an MT or other BFA program, it's just icing on the cake.</p>
<p>NMT...do you need a pre-1960 for CMU? I thought is was only for PSU and pre-1965 for UMichigan. Is this just a suggestion to include a "standard" vs contemporary or did I miss something. Thanks...</p>
<p>I shouldn't have said the pre-1960s thing. I was mistaken on that; you're right! (Funny how much one forgets in a year ...) </p>
<p>The requirements do say one uptempo and one ballad. </p>
<p>Mea culpa.</p>
<p>NMR...there is sooo much information it is easy to get confused. I think you still gave good advice though since a pre 60's standard is good to have in your repertoire.</p>
<p>My daughter is a student at CMU and on the question of belters, I do think CMU does take more girls that belt for sure. My daughter is more of the legit soprano and there seems to be one of those (if any) taken each year. CMU is very good at mixing it up when it comes to girls though. Of the five girls in my d's class, they are all very different in looks and sound so they really all have a chance to shine in their own way. But it does make it even more difficult when you think they may be only looking for one blonde or one redhead, etc just to mix it up. Good luck to your daughter!</p>
<p>What the faculty might be interested in at CMU might be someone who has range. They seem to like people that have a lot of potential or a lot of flexibility in their voice. Belting is nice, but they will also be interested in a strong soprano. The most important is that you have a little of both and even better, a great mix. That is what got the girl from precollege in. They asked her to sing a third song that would show off her mix. </p>
<p>In terms of two contrasting songs, for girls it's great to have one belty and strong and then maybe one more of a soprano feel. Otherwise, songs with two contrasting feels (just like your monologues). They do say pre-1960's although it isn't required, but it might be nice to have that and then a contemporary (especially because pre-1960's have a lot of good soprano sounds to it). </p>
<p>But finally, they want actors that can sing, so as long as the person auditioning is acting the heck out of the song, then they get brownie points! I would say that is the key. </p>
<p>Break a leg in auditions!</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me...
What sets this school apart from other MT schools?
How could CMU help boost a career in musical theatre?
Is there a good social life there?
How hard is the dance audition?
Are the non-MT classes incredibly difficult?
Thanks!!!!</p>
<p>1) The acting training at CMU is like no other MT school. That is a wonderful thing to have, and that focus lets the musical theatre student have a lasting career because they can do straight theatre as well. Also, the small class size is nice because you have one tight ensemble. Others do have corps, so you have small classes, but the whole program is still big. The program at CMU is small itself and each student gets wonderful training, I feel.</p>
<p>2)Omg, I've heard so much about the CMU network in NYU and LA. Because not a lot of people get in, when you meet other actors that do, they really take you under their wing. So the network is nice when you're off in the business. Also, many wonderful agents and such know the talent at CMU is great and so many go to the showcases. </p>
<p>3) What is wonderful about CMU is that there are so many other great programs like Business or Engineering or Architechture, so you are still among many other people with other interests. You can make friends with people outside of the theatre dept. I also feel like a small school allows for people to know more people around campus, but of course a large campus is wonderful, too. </p>
<p>4) The dance audition will be tad bit challenging, but if you can't dance, it won't affect too much your chances of being accepted (but if you're good, it helps!!!!). Either way, the person auditioning will want to take class and know as much as they can about dance so they are prepared for it. The ballet is simple though, and the jazz is pretty much basic, but a little harder on sequence. However, they want to see personality more than technique. =)</p>
<p>5) I hear the non MT classes aren't too difficult, but if you want to be challenged, there is a way to get more advanced classes. Overall, the great thing about these classes is that you are with different people from other departments, so you will get to know a lot of different people. But because CMU Drama is a conservatory-based program, the non-MT classes will be easy enough. (I'm assuming you meant academic classes, not the straight acting classes? haha I don't know...)</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Threattimesthree, I am not sure how you would get the more advanced classes that you are talking about if you feel the non MT classes aren't difficult enough. There are only three courses that MT majors take outside the department of drama and they are required courses for all students. There is no choice in the matter. As far as taking additional classes beyond that, there is no time. The course load for MT's is so specialized and so full that I don't know how that would be possible. I do know the Acting majors (not MT's) do get some elective choices, but because the MT's have the added classes in voice and dance, there just isn't any extra alternatives. </p>
<p>As far as the social life, my daughter would definitely say the social life is great as she loves every thing about CMU, but even though there are many other great programs at CMU, like Business, etc, my daughter definitely does not have many friends outside of the drama department at all. The opportunity to really make friends in other departments hasn't been something she has really been able to do. Again, I think the actors have more opportunity for this.</p>
<p>What is different about CMU is that the classes are small and these kids are together with each other from 8 am - 5 pm every single day in most classes. Then they are together in the evenings working on scenes, songs and working on shows. There isn't much walking across campus to different buildings as everything is mostly contained in Purnell, the drama building. The students just about live in that building.</p>
<p>But there are opportunities to get involved in things besides drama and the faculty does encourage it as they know the kids need other things in their lives too. There are intramural sports, sororities and fraternities, and my daughter spends some free time teaching aerobics on campus and at UPitt. I think these kids for the most part just tend to stay together.</p>
<p>I would definitely agree with the network between the CMU alumni. There was actually a recent grad cast in a Broadway show from a CMU almuni party in NY. You just never know how things happen. </p>
<p>I also agree that the training is top notch. The professors take the time to give individualized attention and want to see each student succeed. I know my daughter feels grateful everyday to be a part of this program! I could not recommend it highly enough but the program is definitely not for everyone as it's not that "traditional" college experience at all if that's what you are looking for.</p>