<p>Hi! I really need some help deciphering what the difference is exactly. Here's the deal. I would like to get a music degree with a concentration in voice, and my intent is to go to a cheaper college and get a degree in music, and then eventually transfer and get a masters in either music with a musical theatre concentration, or in the fine arts with a concentration in Musical Theatre. Keeping that in mind, would it be best to get a BS, BA, or BM? The college I am looking at right now offers a BS in music performance with a concentration in vocal performance, but will that allow me to eventually be accepted into a Masters program?
If I want to get an MFA, do I need to have a BFA in order to be accepted? Or are there just prerequisites? I suppose my greatest question is, what sort of degree will best prepare me for a MFA (or Masters of Music) in Musical theatre?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks so much!</p>
<p>My initial thought was - BM. However, just as there are some BA programs that are more closely aligned to BFA, there may be some BS or BA programs that are more closely aligned to BM’s. As a general rule, a BS or BA would have more gen ed requirements, while a BM would focus much more on music courses. </p>
<p>So, it would be wise to look at the actual curricula of the BS, BA, and BM schools. The more actual music content involved, the better prepared you would be to enter an MM program. For an MM program, you would almost definitely need some piano proficiency, a minimum of 2 full years of theory/ear-training/sightsinging, music history, etc. Also, look at the number and length of private lessons. Those may be less in a BS or BA program, and training your instrument would be of vital importance.</p>
<p>You do not need a BFA to enter a MFA program; however, there will be certain prerequisites, and/or performing experience to do so. Even though grad school is a long way off at this point, I would suggest hitting a few of their websites, and seeing what their entrance requirements are, if that will inform your undergrad choices.</p>
<p>I am not an expert, but here are few things I have learned here on CC.</p>
<p>Musical Theatre degrees encompass training in Acting, Dance, and Music (usually Voice, Theory, Keyboarding). BA and BFA MT Theatre degrees also include a Theatre core curriculum including some combination of stagecraft, theatre history, script analysis, directing, etc. BM MT degrees require completion of a core curriculum in Music that typically includes additional music theory above a theatre MT degree, aural training, ensemble, music history, recital, etc. BS degrees in Musical Theatre are rare.</p>
<p>MT programs typically provide studio classes in MT repertory, acting the song for MT, and MT-specific scene work.</p>
<p>Non-MT Music degrees usually lack the training in Acting and Dance as well as MT repertory that are typical of MT curricula. Many MT programs usually include at least 2-4 semesters each in ballet, tap, and jazz, and 4 or more semesters in Acting, for example.</p>
<p>I would recommend doing some research and carefully studying the curricula of MT programs such as:</p>
<p>BFA - Carnegie Mellon, Boston Conservatory, CCM
BA - James Madison, Northern Colorado
BM - Baldwin-Wallace</p>
<p>These are just supplied for examples, there are many, many more listed in the “Big Lists” pegged to the top of this forum. Carefully analyzing MT degree programs may help answer some of your questions.</p>
<p>It can be possible to put together a degree plan in Vocal Performance, for example, than includes at least some of the classes in Acting and Dance typical of MT programs at many schools. There are summer intensives available at places like CAP 21 where you can train in MT during the summer (but these are not cheap to attend).</p>
<p>If you are interested in becoming a professional MT performer, and at the risk of offering some over-generalizations: an MFA in MT is usually pursued only as the terminal degree in the field so that the recipient can pursue academic positions. MT is generally a young person’s game and the 2-3 years spent pursuing an MFA can remove a substantial part of the typical career of an MT performer if done immediately following a BA/BFA/BM degree. MFA MT degrees are fairly rare among MT performers at the start of their careers. Many successful MT performers don’t even attend college or major in something else while studying acting, voice, and dance on an extra-curricular basis (but they are usually phenomenally talented and/or had a very strong MT background before they began college).</p>
<p>There are, of course, exceptions to everything that I have commented on in this post.</p>