BFA then an MM?

<p>Hello, I was wondering if I could get a BFA in musical theater, then a MM in vocal pedagogy? I really do want to perform in musicals, but I want to be able to open up a voice studio and really know what Im talking about.</p>

<p>You may find it a little difficult to go from a BFA in Musical Theatre to a MM in Vocal Pedagogy unless you are able to take a lot of music courses outside of the BFA Musical Theatre major. This is something that is often very difficult to do (1) because the requirements for the BFA are dense, (2) because at many music schools there are certain courses that are only open to music majors. </p>

<p>Most MM programs will expect that you have had comprehensive undergraduate music education (or post grad/ pre-MM). This will generally include, music theory and ear training, piano, music history, vocal literature, languages, diction for singers, etc… Even though most Musical Theatre programs will require some of these courses, generally BFA Musical Theatre students will not take as many music courses as BM students… ex. one year of music theory and ear training instead of two or three. </p>

<p>If you are interested in pursuing a MM in Vocal Pedagogy. You may want to look at BM Music Theatre programs. These programs will generally have students take a larger number of music courses, cover more classical repertory in lessons, and would probably better prepare you for MM graduate school pre-screenings and auditions. </p>

<p>A few school to look at that I believe offer BM in Musical Theatre are: Rider University/ Westminster Choir College, Florida State, University of Miami, Baldwin Wallace, James Madison University, Oklahoma City University, NYU-Steinhardt. There are probably a few I am forgetting. I know that at Plymouth State University in NH students are able to double major BA Music Theatre with BA Vocal Performance & Pedagogy. Students from Plymouth are successful in MM auditions and admission. There may be other schools where you could double major in a similar manner.</p>

<p>Thank you, this is a HUGE help. I will most definitely look into those schools.</p>

<p>[Musical</a> Theatre](<a href=“http://conservatory.umkc.edu/the_conservatory/musicaltheatre.aspx]Musical”>http://conservatory.umkc.edu/the_conservatory/musicaltheatre.aspx) …</p>

<p>This is another program to explore… Although, I cannot find information in the undergraduate course catalog about the emphasis in Music Theatre. It would be a good idea to contact the program to find out the specific curriculum. There is contact information through the link above.</p>

<p>Here is a link to the catalog… although I cannot find specifics of the emphasis in Musical Theatre – [University</a> of Missouri - Kansas City : Conservatory of Music and Dance](<a href=“http://web2.umkc.edu/catalog/Conservatory_of_Music_and_Dance_0.html]University”>http://web2.umkc.edu/catalog/Conservatory_of_Music_and_Dance_0.html)</p>

<p>Funny that you should have U Missouri_ Kansas City because I was just asking about their MT program. From what I can find it is a BA degree. The theatre department is in their college of Arts and Sciences not the Conservatory. I think it is an interdisciplinary degree between the 2 colleges. I can find audition information but no program information. The little I found was by doing a search on the university site.</p>

<p>Yes… what I found was also audition information for the BA program that appears to be an interdisciplinary program administered by the Theatre program and the Music Program. </p>

<p>Since there is no curricular information on the website (at least not that can be found easily :)) it is probably best to contact the music program and the theatre program directly for information. Good luck!</p>

<p>University of the Arts offers a BM in Jazz Vocal Performance that can be coupled with a minor in Musical Theater. Although the VP program is jazz oriented, there are many opportunities for more classical training and performance. The MT minor is specifically tailored to VP majors and the curriculum differs from the MT minor offered to dance or acting majors.</p>

<p>would it be any easier to go from a BM to a MFA?</p>

<p>You can go into an MFA Acting program from any field at all; your undergrad doesn’t have to be performance related. At many of the top MFA Acting programs (Yale, UCSD, NYU among those), the grad classes have several students who did academic undergrads. Grad programs care about your auditions but also about your personal artistic goals, your overall education prior to auditioning, and your unique life experiences.</p>

<p>Look into getting a BM in Music Theatre first, like KatMT suggested. I’m not 100% sure, but from the research I have done, I think an MM requires applicants to have a BM degree first.</p>

<p>I have been taking piano since I was 7 and voice since I was 14.Would this help me qualify for an MM after I receive my BFA? If not, Is there any way I can pick up extra courses or classes as to be eligable for an MM?</p>

<p>And what exactly are the requirements for an MM, or is it just a Bachelor’s degree and good talent?</p>

<p>Wishadream - I would suggest you look, for your advanced degree, into the MFA in VP for musical theatre as offered by Penn State. If MT is what you love and you want to be a vocal teacher - this seems like a natural fit. Of good fortune on your journey!</p>