<p>I’d appreciate some information about the strengths and weaknesses of FSU’s MT program. While my wife is a true orange and blue Gator, we are also pragmatic when it comes to the best fit for our D. </p>
<p>Thanks for the anticipated responses.</p>
<p>Scott</p>
<p>Scott,</p>
<p>As far as I know, I'm the only regular on this thread that has a connection to FSU. My D is a freshman BFA MT major.</p>
<p>I believe that one of the greatest strengths of the program is that students have a choice of earning a BM in MT through the School of Music or a BFA in MT through the School of Theatre. The program is co-chaired by
Dr. Gayle Seaton from the School of Music and Ms. Kate Gelabert from the School of Theatre. Dr. Seaton is a soprano who has made a specialty of the female belt voice. She is the music director for the MT program. Ms. Gelabert is a dancer/choreographer who teaches the movement courses for the MT majors. She incorporates a lot of dance into her courses. Ms. Gelabert choreographs many of the mainstage musicals. I like the fact that two women co-chair the MT program. I do believe that two heads are better than one. There are not many female MT department chairs out there. Off the top of my head, the only other one I can think of is Victoria Bussert at Baldwin-Wallace. At the risk of sounding sexist, the FSU co-chairs are very nurturing, perhaps in part because of their gender.</p>
<p>I think that the FSU MT curriculum is one of the more balanced that I have seen. Whether they earn a BM or a BFA they have pretty equal emphasis in courses in music and drama. Dance is considered a very important part of the curriculum at FSU. In general, students do not get accepted into the MT program unless Ms. Gelabert sees dance potential. Students do not have to have prior dance training to get accepted (though it helps a lot), but they have to demonstrate the ability to move well and to catch on quickly.</p>
<p>Dance courses at FSU are taught by dance department faculty. The dance department is nationally renowned, as are the Schools of Music and Theatre. Dance Teacher Magazine ranks Florida State's dance department as the number two program in the country. I believe that for kids who enter college with a high level of dance skill having a dance department that supports the MT program is very important. In colleges that have no dance majors, the MT majors are likely to be the majority of students taking dance classes. In my opinion, that can limit the skill level of the dance courses offered. CMU is a good example of this problem. At CMU MT students take dance with members of their graduating class. There are usually 10 MT students in each class. The skill level of the dance class is somewhat limited by the abilities of the 10 students in the class. If 9 students are beginning dancers and 1 student is at an advanced skill level, the advanced student is kind of stuck. He or she has no other dance class to move into.</p>
<p>In the past year FSU has begun restricting dance classes for majors to majors only. In the past advanced MT dancers were allowed to take class with the dance majors. My own D was placed in the highest level ballet class for non-majors this fall. She wished that it had been more challenging. Ms. Gelabert has told her that she will be speaking with the dance department in the fall to get her into a ballet class with the dance majors. (D is taking jazz this spring instead of ballet and says she loves the teacher. Unfortunately, she's not dancing at all right now. She sprained her ankle {she slipped on a wet hillside} before the 1st week of class was over!) Since Ms. Gelabert has an MFA in dance from FSU and has a good working relationship with the dance faculty, she believes there should be no problem getting one of her students into class with the dance majors.</p>
<p>From what I have seen the vocal training at FSU is excellent. FSU is considered to have one of the best non-conservatory vocal programs in the country. Dr. Seaton teaches the majority of the upperclassmen. Freshmen are taught by graduate assistants. Some people consider this to be a negative. Many larger university-based MT programs assign freshmen to TA's. I consider it to be a problem only if the TA is a poor instructor. My D and many of her freshmen cohort had some problems this past fall. She has been assigned to a new TA for the spring semester. D actually called me immediately after her 1st lesson with her new voice teacher to tell me how much she liked her. She believes she will learn a lot from her new TA. I know she must REALLY be happy because SHE VIRTUALLY NEVER CALLS! FSU seems to want legit singers in their MT program. My family and I sat in on a MT seminar class last year and heard most of the students in the department sing. We heard no belting from anyone. All of the students sounded very well trained. D has told us that the faculty value classically trained singers. Girls are taught how to belt safely by Dr. Seaton, but it seems not to be a problem, and in fact may be a plus, if they are not belting at the time of their audition. (If you're wondering, my D is not a belter as of yet. She's a classically trained lyric soprano.)</p>
<p>The drama faculty at FSU is excellent. There's a lot of depth and breadth. The graduate programs in theatre are consistently ranked in the top ten. I certainly believe that the excellence of the graduate programs filters down to the undergraduate programs. MT students at Florida State are expected to become well trained actors. One of the nice things about the acting classes is that MT students take class with BFA acting students. There are large numbers of BA drama students at Florida State. They do not take the same acting class sections as the BFA acting and MT students. MT students also have their own movement classes. No BA students allowed. Since the School of Theatre is rather larger, there are a lot of performing opportunites. MT students can be cast in straight plays as well as musicals.</p>
<p>The goal of the MT program is to produce triple threats. Of course, not all students graduate with equal skill in all three areas. However, all students are expected to show competence in acting, singing, and dancing. Students perform a showcase in NYC in the spring of their senior year. Last year, not only did the MT and BFA acting students present a New York showcase, but students and faculty from seven different departments went to NYC during the same week to present showcases or recitals. </p>
<p>Other advantages: FSU does not have a cut policy. The MT program is very small. This year there are 29 students in the program. Because the program is so small, the students get a lot of individual attention. Of course, it does make it harder to get into the program :) Students take about 25% of their coursework outside the major. Last, but not least for my family, tuition is lower than at most other schools. </p>
<p>If you have any questions for me, just ask.</p>
<p>dancersmom:</p>
<p>Thanks for the very quick and very detailed response. Sounds like your D made a very good choice. As a state school, FSU is economically very appealing but the MT program is obviously very selective. Hope your D is up and dancing again soon!</p>
<p>I must add my thanks to both of you for establishing this thread. FSU is at the top of our D's list as well, even though both her parents are Gators, although she does have an aunt and uncle that are both FSU grads, non-arts. She has 2 close male friends from her PA high school here in New Orleans (1 freshman, 1 just got accepted) and she is about to come out of her skin over it. I have been vigourously cataloging dancersmom's comments over the last several months and I really appreciate the depth of knowledge you have and hopefully our daughters can meet this spring when she goes to visit. What types of summer programs did your daughter pursue before college application time? With about 8 months to go before application time all information is extremely helpful. Thanks to you both and I look forward to a continuing dialog</p>
<p>Noccadad,
I would be happy to tell you what my D did in the summers before college. She did not do any of the big name summer programs. If you would like to know how she spent her time, e-mail me or private message me and I will tell you. It's a bit too long to post on this message board.</p>
<p>Dancersmom, Noccadad's wife here, thank you so much for your willingness to discuss. It is really starting to hit home that it will be our daughter going through the college acceptance "stress" in the not to near future. However, between now and then we have have alot of activity and not much time for her to relax and recharge so we were interested in how your daughter spent her time moving toward the FSU audition. I look forward to talking with you and will send my peronal e-mail today. We also have a show opening tonight!</p>
<p>does anyone know if Florida State University participates in the Unified Auditions or accepts a videotape?</p>
<p>BroadwayWannabe,</p>
<p>According to the FSU SChool of Theatre website, all Musical Theatre auditions are held in Tallahassee. I do not believe that FSU participates in the Unified Auditions and I do not believe they accept videotapes. However, my motto is, "When in doubt, ASK!"</p>
<p>Hi, I'm a fellow floridian and i was accepted to the BFA MT at FSU this year. I was also accepted to UCF and CCM. FSU is undoubtedly the best MT program in the state of florida. I have also heard that it is ranked quite high with the best MT programs in the country. I know that their program is very dance heavy. One down side to going to these schools however instead of CMU, CCM, BoCo, or NYU is the connections. The connections at FSU are limited due the fact that you're in Tallahassee FL. Theres nothin goin on besides the college life and the capital. All of these other schoools are loaded with connections and feature students in showcases in NYC with the hottest talent scouts and producers this country has to offer. Although..... I was in NYC this past summer training at CAP 21 for 7 weeks and there were 2 FSU grads in the Boy from OZ. Plus ive seen a couple others. So dont think its impossible to make it by going to FSU. Good luck to all. Peace.</p>
<p>Infoboy2u,</p>
<p>Have you decided where you are going to school next year? I was interested to read your statement regarding connections. I would agree that there are some advantages as far as connections in going to some programs. NYU has its obvious advantage - location! My D has taken classes at CCM Prep for 9 years. Her vocal coach was the MT program's music director for 10 years. Living in greater Cincinnati, I am certainly aware of the CCM advantage. The major one is the name/reputation of the program. CCM has the best attended senior showcase in the industry. ( I've been told by an extremely reliable source that some casting agents and directors are paid to attend their showcase!) CCM, and by the same token, CMU, do not have the location advantage of NYU. Cincinnati is certainly not right around the corner from NYC. I will admit that when my D began her college search, FSU was not at the top of our list because it is so far from NYC. However, after studying the curriculum, the reputation of the faculty, reading comments on CC, and talking with my D's Cincinnati area arts teachers, I concluded that being physically far-removed from NYC was not a big disadvantage. The most important factor in choosing an MT program should be "fit". My D certainly did consider reputation and senior showcases to be important factors. What we have heard indicates that FSU's reputation is top echelon. And, FSU does indeed have a senior showcase every year in NYC. Last year, 7 departments travelled together to NYC to present showcases, faculty recitals, and other performances. I've heard that the MT showcase was very well attended.</p>
<p>I know that FSU has two different degree programs in musical theater, one through their music department and one through their theater department. Does anyone on CC have any experience with FSU? Which program did you/your child apply to? Can you apply to both? What would be some reasons to choose one or the other path to a BFA/BM degree at FSU? We are planning to visit in April of 2006 when my D will be almost finished with her junior year. She is quite interested in this program since she is an advanced dancer and has heard that FSU is strong in dance. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Dancersmom has a D at FSU....I believe she will be a sophomore this coming year...she, too, is a strong dancer working on her MT degree....I believe she is in the BFA rather than the BM track.</p>
<p>Try to look up posts by Dancersmom who has a daughter who finished her first year there and loves it (she is also a strong dancer). Actually, she may have just finished her second year, can't keep it straight. You also could email her. She has not posted lately so I am not sure if she is reading here but she has shared a lot on these forums about her D's experiences at FSU.
Susan</p>
<p>Found this on FSU's website</p>
<p>"Comparison of the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees</p>
<p>The Music Theatre Program is a joint program of the College of Music and the School of Theatre with the assistance of the Department of Dance. As such, there are two tracks available to students who wish to become music theatre majors. ALL MUSIC THEATRE CLASSES ARE EXACTLY THE SAME IN BOTH TRACKS. Voice lessons, workshops, acting classes, movement, music theatre history, etc. are the same. Bachelor of Music students and Bachelor of Fine Arts students are in all of these classes together and are held to the same rigorous standards. The differences between B.M. in Music Theatre (through the College of Music) and the B.F.A. in Music Theatre (through the School of Theatre) lie mainly in the emphasis of the rest of the curriculum. In the College of Music (B.M. track) more emphasis is placed on the technical skills of piano and music theory and on music history. In addition, the students participate in choral ensembles and give a voice recital as part of their degree program. In the School of Theatre (B.F.A. track) more emphasis is placed on technical skills such as set construction, lighting, costumes, directing, and on theatre history. Bachelor of Music students tend to have some background in music already in the way of voice lessons and/or choral experience.</p>
<p>All Music Theatre applicants are seen at the same auditions. Therefore all students should apply through only one of the schools, not both. The same panel of people sees absolutely everyone."</p>
<p>nydancermom</p>
<p>I'll be a freshman at FSU this year. I'm pursuing the BFA track, while I've spoken to another freshman pursuing the BM track. Our schedules for the first semester are almost entirely different. I'm taking minly theatre classes (into to theatre, intro to tech theatre, theatre forum, acting 1, jazz 2, private voice, and some academics), whereas he is taking mainly music theory and technique classes. It depends on where your strengths and interests are: acting/ stage theatre or voice and it's technicalities. </p>
<p>Something you may want to think about, there are 6 BFA's and BM's in my class. I know many more people audition for the BFA track than the BM. I dont know the difference in acceptance rates, however. If you are looking for dance expertise, the head of the BFA branch has an MFA in dance from FSU. Working more closely with her could be a benefit? </p>
<p>You can contact me anytime if you ahve questions! <a href="mailto:MightyMiggy@aol.com">MightyMiggy@aol.com</a></p>
<p>Here is how the BM and BFA degrees compare at FSU:</p>
<p>Both BFA & BM Tracks Require:</p>
<p>Private Voice 8 semesters
MT Workshop 4 semesters
Movement 3 semesters
Voice Techniques 1 semester
Stage Makeup 1 semester</p>
<p>Here is where the degrees differ:</p>
<p>MUSIC COURSES</p>
<p>*Music Theory 2 semesters for BFAs, 4 semesters for BMs
*Sightsinging 2 semesters for BFAs, 4 semesters for BMs
*Piano 1 semester (or until competency is demonstrated) for BFAs, 4 semesters for BMs
*Music Ensemble 0 for BFAs, 2 semesters for BMs
*Conducting 0 for BFAs, 1 semester for BMs
*Intro to Technology in Music 0 for BFAs, 1 semester for BMs
*1st Year Experience in Music 0 for BFAs, 1 semester for BMs
*Music History 0 for BFAs, 2 semesters for BMs
*World Music Cultures - ) for BFAs, 1 semester for BMs
* MT Repertoire 0 for BFAs (though repertoire is certainly covered in private voice lessons and in vocal coaching), 4 semesters for BMs
*Senior Recital is required for BMs and not for BFAs, though sometimes BFAs do perform a senior voice recital</p>
<p>DANCE BFAs take 6 classes for a minimum of 12 hours (competency must be demonstrated). BMs take 3 classes for a minimum or 6 hours (competency must be demonstrated). At FSU students tend not to be accepted into the BFA program unless the School of Theatre MT co-chair, Kate Gelabert, feels that they have potential as dancers. Students can be accepted into the BM track with less dance skill.</p>
<p>THEATRE COURSES</p>
<p>*Acting 5 semesters for BFAs, 2 semesters for BMs
*Vocal Coaching 2 semesters for BFAs, 0 for BMs (though some of the same material is covered in MT Repertoire)
*Introduction to Theatre 1 semester for BFAs, 0 for BMs
*Theatre History 1 semester for BFAs, 0 for BMs
*Music Theatre History 2 semesters for BFAs, 1 semester for BMs
*Technical Theatre & Labs 4 semesters for BFAs, 0 for BMs
*Directing 1 semester for BFAs, 0 for BMs
*Play Analysis 1 semester for BFAs, 0 for BMs</p>
<p>BFAs may take Dialects, additional Acting classes, and Senior Project as electives. (I believe that performing a senior voice recital counts as a senior project in the School of Theatre.)</p>
<p>Dancers' Mom,
Thanks for the analysis, Very helpful!</p>
<p>ok i have been looking around for info not much to be said a this college
any one know what they look for
i am a male
baritone
pretty good singer
good actor
auditioning for the BM in MT
on second year of ballet, jazz, modern, and tap
will have AA by the end of this school year.</p>
<p>any tips. strenghts(i know dance but more specifically). does the new york show case really help, good theachers bad teachers what youlike about the program. general stuff appreciated really interested tips on GETTING IN.</p>
<p>imeasure in love,
brian</p>
<p>Hey Brian - </p>
<p>Please check the other other FSU threads - there are already several - even two current ones on the second page of this Musical Theater forum. </p>
<p>I really don't mean to come on like the "thread police" but if people don't check existing threads before starting new ones, the information will get so fragmented, no one will benefit. Can we try? </p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>COLLEGE MOM:
Is there a way to put a note at the top under the FAQ link reminding posters to check the back pages for the list of topics before starting a new thread?</p>
<p>I certainly agree with my almost name sake theatermom.</p>