I see a lot of posts about it being possible to double major with a BA in MT and a non-performing arts major like History or Psychology or something. I’m interested in classical voice but I also have a strong love for musical theatre that I simply cannot give up.
So my question is - would it be possible to get a BA in MT and a BA in VP and still graduate in 4 years?
I know performing arts degrees are intense, even if they are BAs and not BFAs, so is this like a crazy idea? Do people ever do this?
This might be a really stupid question, I have no idea! Come to think of it, I’m sure it could be very hard on the voice if pursuing something like this is even possible.
Another question that kind of goes along with this topic: If a double major like this doesn’t work, what schools have VP programs that include a lot of MT? The only schools I’ve been told have a good mix of the two are OCU and NYU Steinhardt.
(Sorry for so many questions and all that rambling! I’m a rising senior who has A LOT to learn about the college audition process - I apologize for my potentially confusing writing!)
Take a good look at BM in Musical Theater programs. Examine the curriculum at such programs.
A few to consider would be:
NYU/Steinhardt
Oklahoma City University
Baldwin-Wallace
Catholic University
Belmont University
Berklee College of Music
James Madison
University of Miami
Florida State
Is it important to you to have an actual degree in both or to have training in both? I will be honest that a number of students at OCU who start out at double majors in VP and MT end up choosing to graduate with just one or the other. The work load for either is intense and to try to do both is very difficult. Because it is a Bachelor of Music degree there are recital requirements for each degree both junior and senior years so I believe you would have to do 4 recitals in 2 years on top of all the other classes you must take to fulfill both degrees. And it leaves little time to participate in anything else. I’m not saying it is impossible. But most of the kids in daughter’s MT class who started off as double majors do so for their first two years, but starting junior year will decide on just a single major. They have still gotten amazing training in both disciplines and they can still audition for and be cast in all shows (MT, opera and straight shows). So I think it accomplishes much of what you’re seeking by double majoring. And both will graduate with a Bachelor of Music degree.
@vvnstar It’s not necessarily important to me to have a degree in both. Being in a program where I could get training in both disciplines would be PERFECT. I’ve looked at many schools where VP majors get absolutely no MT training or exposure and it would really make me sad to be in a program like that. I’d definitely say getting exposure to both MT and VP is more important than actually getting degrees in both MT and VP.
I think I’m going to do some more research on getting BM in MT and see what I learn from looking at curriculums
I had the same issue. Didn’t even know it was possible to do that at some schools which is awesome! I ultimately decided MT degree with extra classical training and more music classes as electives. Anything is possible! BM in MT is good, but if it’s the classical training you want, I would consider studying classically in addition to MT.
@BroadwayVeteran, thank you so much for your detailed response! Your reply made me ask myself a lot of questions I never considered before. I have a lot of thinking to do Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of that!!
