Could someone please place OHIO NORTHERN University on the sub forum column

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Ok, H and D are back from ONU. Here are their impressions, hope its coherent.:
They enroll about 10-12 kids per year. They produce 3-4 musicals and 4-5 plays per year(which is alot for a small school), and freshmen do audition. There seems to be a good mix of voice (including 1/2 hour of private voice per week, and the option of 1/2 hour of vocal coaching per week), music-piano, acting and dance. As far as dance is concerned, if you are a highly trained dancer, this might not be the place, but they do have multiple levels of ballet, jazz, tap, modern and MT dance. They are friendly to relatively untrained dancers, which was important to us. We always ask if there are classes in the “business of theater”, and there are. My family met about 5 MT students and all were very friendly. They love their faculty, and all said that they were impressed by how often ONU brings in visiting teachers and directors from NYC. They did say that their showcase might end, as they feel that you cannot predict how many agents will show up, and they can leave without talking to the kids. They plan to fly agents into Ohio for the weekend, to see the showcase and spend alot of time getting to know the kids.</p>

<p>The campus was quite pretty, and the theater facilities were very nice. The shows seem to draw people from all over the area. They even have a summer stock theater on campus which some of the kids stay and work for. Most of the kids seemed to have jobs lined up for the summer. </p>

<p>ONU has juries, but no cuts. The focus of the juries is to point out areas that need more work. We asked how many kids have left the program in the past year or 2. Two switched to theater BA and one went home to Texas. </p>

<p>Overall, seems like a good, friendly “family-like” program. So, what are the downsides. I have to admit that my family was “impressed” by the distance to a city and the small size of the town of Ada. This is do-able since my daughter is very low maintenence. She does have some concerns about how socially conservative the culture might be, as she is quite “blue-leaning”, so we have to look into this a bit more. But, all in all, I think D really like it and would be happy there. </p>

<p>If I can answer more specific questions, please post or pm me</p>

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<p>I could not tell from looking at the curriculum…are there classes in music theory…sight reading, etc? Did she sit in on any classes…what did she think? Thank you so much for all your insight!</p>

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<p>There are classes called Fundamentals of Music and Advanced Musicianship, but I don’t know if this is sight reading. D was there on a sunday, so no classes, but she did sit in on a rehearsal for the upcoming show, Thoroughly Modern Millie.</p>

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<p>How long has the BFA MT program been in existence and were Lloyd and Kirsten the original directors?</p>

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<p>My daughter has taken Music Theory 1 and 2, both with Lloyd.</p>

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<p>Just recently got back from a visit to ONU and thought I’d share our experiences with you. We were extremely impressed with the caring, nurturing atmosphere within the MT program as well as within the entire school. The department heads are warm and approachable, and seem to genuinely care about providing a top-notch experience for each student. The students spent time with my daughter and said they love the program, they feel they are given an incredible amount of personal attention, and that the department heads know each of them intimately and have their best interests in mind. Kirsten (program co-head and voice teacher) shared with us that they make sure each MT student gets plenty of performing experience while in the program. They are continually trying to improve the program and next year they will add MT dance to the curriculum. The students are supported by the faculty if they want to minor or even double major in another subject. Some MT students are completing PR minors, communication studies, arts administration minors in addition to MT BFA in an effort to be more well-rounded and marketable after graduation.</p>

<p>My daughter sat in on a psychology class and a literature class, and felt the professors were very good and the students were motivated to learn and participate. We watched a rehearsal for Thoroughly Modern Millie, directed and choreographed by guests artists brought in from NY. This was a component of the program the students absolutely love-the opportunity to work with a wide variety of guest artists who come in to direct and/or teach master classes. We were told that they bring in 30 guests for the MT program per year.</p>

<p>The campus was very quiet, with a relaxed feeling, students quietly walking to class. There are many pharmacology students, as the school is well-known for its 6-year program. Our tour guide was a pharmacology student. Fraternities and sororities are present, with about 30% of the students participating, but some are more service-oriented than party-oriented. The food seemed adequate, not wonderful, and students report a lack of fresh fruit other than bananas and apples. At lunch there was a salad bar in addition to the various entrees provided and some great desserts as well. There is also a small cafe which is open when the main dining hall is closed. Students have a 4-meal a day plan, with a meal at 10-12PM. The students congregate for a social time during their last meal swipe in the evening; they talk and watch TV in the cafe. Even if they don’t eat, they bring food back to the room for later as any meal that is missed is lost.</p>

<p>Ada is quite small, but nice. We noticed a Subway, Taco Bell, Rexall and another restaurant (where kids can use their meal plan swipes) within walking distance of the campus. The drive was about an hour and 40 minutes from Columbus and took us through flat, rather deserted farmland and an occasional tiny, rather run-down town. There is nothing much along the way except the town of Kenton, which was more substantial. The school provides a shuttle which I believe costs $50.00 a person to get back into Columbus for vacation breaks, but I’m not sure if that is an option at other times. Students frequently catch rides with friends if they need to go into Columbus or Lima, 20 minutes from Ada. Students outside the MT program are primarily from Ohio, and many have cars on campus. The MT students tend to be from other states, with several from Texas. </p>

<p>We stayed at a very nice inn, The Inn at Ohio Northern, on campus. All in all, we were impressed with the incredible feeling of warmth and personal attention at ONU. The only drawback for us is the possible lack of diversity in the main student body and the isolation of the campus. Our daughter absolutely loved the program directors, the kids in the program and the program itself, but has some reservations about the location. So, we will continue to look at her other options, but ONU is still a possibility. </p>

<p>Hope this helps, and feel free to PM me if you have questions.</p>

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<p>I wanted to add a couple of other things that I forgot to mention. They do three musicals, including a Christmas musical each year which is well-attended by the community. They have just completed the switch to the semester format. I was also told by a couple of people that it gets very cold and extremely windy in the winter and since the campus is very open, it can be uncomfortable. The classes are extremely small, with 7 or less MT students for each year. Lots of personal attention here!</p>

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<p>My daughter is a sophomore MT at ONU and Intervals did an excellent summary. My daughter is in a sorority and Intervals is right in that her sorority seems more service oriented. She is very close with the MT students, but also has made close friends not in the program. The faculty is wonderful. Another option is Detroit Metro to fly out of, and many of the students who have cars fly out of there. My daughter will catch a ride with her friends as we live outside of Detroit and I pick her up at the airport.</p>

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<p>Dayton, Ohio has some good connections from the west coast.</p>

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<p>For those of you who are or have students in the program, did you pass up other more established and well-regarded programs in favor of ONU, and, if so, what were your reasons and are you pleased with your decision? I know the great financial aid packages are a huge plus and make ONU even more attractive, but at the same time, I also wonder what other opportunities might be provided by some of the larger, more established programs in contrast. Yet, with those, I think there may not be as many performance opportunities or as much nurturing, personal attention. It is hard to balance all the variables and this whole process of trying to choose, given so many unknowns is overwhelming on top of the already overwhelming application/audition process…!!!</p>

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<p>@Intervals…thanks so much for great feedback! So glad to hear so many wonderful things about the MT Program. Regarding the addition of MT Dance this coming year…what have they had re dance in the past? Just basic ballet, jazz, etc.? Did you go through Kristen in admissions to set up your visit? If we visit in the near future…I really want my D to have a chance to sit down with program directors also. We were thinking about going the weekend of “Millie” but now wondering if that weekend might be too crazy for quality time with Dept. Wondering if another weekend would be better?</p>

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<p>I think it is always good to visit, sit in on classes and, if possible see a show at any school you may be considering. Although it may seem like it would be crazy, it is not. These kids have been rehearsing and by the time the show comes around they know it inside and out.
My daughter has taken dance every semester she has been at ONU and she is a sophomore. I would say Ballet is probably her most challenging form of dance. I know she has taken ballet, modern, tap.</p>

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<p>Glad to help, momofstar. Jane, in admissions helped us set up a schedule. I would decide which classes your daughter would like to observe and who you would like to meet with and call and ask as much in advance as possible, as the faculty members are extremely busy. You may want to ask if a MT student could have lunch and/or just spend some time with your daughter as well. Also, they have campus tours going all day. Sometimes I think those “accepted student days” may be hectic and interfere with getting a true sense of what the campus “vibe” is normally like. My daughter has also asked around before visiting a school and found a way to connect with MT students at programs who have offered to meet and spend time, too. She has also privately contacted faculty members at times and made her own arrangements, but at ONU, Jane handled everything for her.</p>

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<p>We would like to see a sub forum here as well. Thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences as students and prospective students and parents. Our daughter received notification of MT acceptance on Friday and we plan to schedule a visit. This has been a very positive thread about the school and program and we are looking forward to learning more.</p>

<p>What is actually the closest airport to the campus?</p>

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<p>@GradyWhite192, there is a small Ada Airport just a few minutes from Campus, but there are no commercial airplanes going in or out from there. You’re best bet would probably be Columbus.</p>

<p>I have a visit for ONU set up during my spring break and Kristen in admissions set up everything for me. Sitting in on two musical theatre classes (Voice and Speech and Musical theatre audition techniques) as well as a tour, lunch with one of the department heads (Kirsten Osbun Manley) and (at my request) sitting in on a rehearsal for Thoroughly Modern Millie. I really couldn’t have asked for more in terms of organization and helpfulness :)</p>

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<p>Depending on where you are coming from, you could check Columbus, Dayton and Cleveland, OH, and even Fort Wayne, Indiana. They are all roughly the same (1 1/2 to 2 hrs away).</p>

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<p>Did all of you who recently visited…get a rental car or take the shuttle to the campus from the airport? Do you need a car? Not sure of logistics from The Inn to the campus?</p>

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<p>The Inn is literally five steps from the school and really nice (heated towel racks!). I would definitely recommend staying there. Can’t really answer the rental car question because I only live five hours away…</p>

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<p>Definitely cheaper to rent a car from the airport. The highways are good and the directions are easy. I agree that the Inn was very nice.</p>

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<p>Just returned from visit with my D. Absolutely loved the program and directors. So glad we visited to take a look. This program while not as well known appears to be a very solid MT program. Attended rehearsal for Thoroughly Modern Millie and actors were impressive. Campus very clean and good feel to it. Present students are very happy and alumni are working on and off Broadway. Somewhat remote while we are used to big city feel. Only drawback…but campus is busy and active.</p>