<p>Sorry for posting so many threads. Anyway, I want to audition for a musical theater major for Florida School of the Arts, but I'm doubting whether my singing will even be good enough to good, since the voice is the primary focus. I originally thought this would be a good school to train me and teach me how to improve vocally. But now I think there will be so many applicants with beautiful voices with proper technique who have been doing theater since they were five, and there I will be with only a high school experience to account for my participation in theater and with mediocre skills in singing. Must I know how to sing impeccably in order to even be considered? Or would they be willing to accept a newbie with potential. I feel like I'll embarrass myself and should just apply for an acting major, since that is where my strength lies, instead of musical theater.</p>
<p>Unfortunately we can’t really advise you, not being able to hear you. However, my S did not have extensive training. He sang in school chorus since 2nd grade - but didn’t get involved in musicals until 10th grade. He enjoyed it so much - he started voice lessons after that (used a teacher who advertised in the program for the show he was in that a few of the other students went to). He got into schools he auditioned at. You don’t always have to have extensive training - but I would say some helps. What grade are you in? I am assuming that since you are talking about applying now - you are not currently a senior.</p>
<p>If you’re looking ahead for next year’s round of auditions, this is the perfect time to start getting the training you want. You’ll be surprised how much you can progress in just a few months, if you have a weekly voice lesson with the right teacher and sing a lot inbetween. You will also find out if you like studying vocal technique.</p>
<p>I should add that many voice instructors think it is harmful to study voice intensively until age 13 or 14, and maybe even later for males. So you may not be as behind as you think.</p>
<p>Musical theater programs tend to be looking for “triple threats” – students with high potential in acting, singing, and dancing. Many schools will consider MT applicants for acting as well. My son auditioned for MT and was admitted for acting at the school he will attend.</p>
<p>One thing I would suggest is to schedule time with a voice teacher or with professionals in the business and ask them for an evaluation of your voice. Before my D’s junior year she did a week long music theater intensive workshop with several MT professionals in our town (they have their own company). At the end I specifically asked for an objective opinion as to whether this was something they felt my D should pursue. When they indicated she had the ability to do so (vocally as well as acting/dance), it provided a level of comfort going forth.</p>
<p>@WishToGetIn: auditioning is always nerve-wracking. There are three things that are certain: (1) you will never know if you could have gotten in unless you audition, (2) its not so much about what you can’t do but what you can do, and (3) selection is always subjective and you may have that special quality that they are looking for. If this is something that you are passionate about, then you have to go for it. Don’t be intimidated by those around you and don’t doubt your abilities at the audition, stay within yourself and show them what you can do. You may very well have what they are looking for. If not, then at least you went for it.</p>
<p>For those of you not familiar with the Florida School for the Arts, it is a two-year AA program and, unlike many BA and BFA programs, they hold auditions through June. This is not uncommon for programs of this type.</p>
<p>I would also strongly urge you not to put all of your focus on getting into one specific school. There are a lot of wonderful options listed on the Big List and you should really spend the next year exploring those options and developing a well-balanced list. </p>
<p>Even with all the right training and “perfect” technique, etc, anyone can have a bad day, including he auditors, and you cannot assume that you will get into any one particular school. But if you audition for several (I would recommend at LEAST 7, more if you are a girl!) and you list includes a good variety, you will likely find a school that you love and that loves you back.</p>
<p>^^I cross posted with EmsDad, so I didn’t realize that you were likely still looking at auditioning for this year’s audition cycle. </p>
<p>In that case, I would add that even if you don’t get in this year, that doesn’t mean you don’t have “it.” Take some time to develop your skills and try again next year. There have been MANY on these boards over the years who have done just that and found AMAZING success the following year!</p>
<p>“voice is the primary focus”? I’m going to have to disagree - yes, having a beautiful, well-trained singing voice is part of the package but ACTING is the primary focus of a MT degree.</p>
<p>I would say the focus of a musical theater degree depends on the school/program. Different curriculums have different focuses!</p>
<p>Also don’t let the ‘trained’ voices scare you off. A knowledgable auditor can listen to your voice, note the amount of training and be excited about your potential as in, “Wow, if this is how this student sounds with less than XX months training, I know the potential for progress is great!” And the reverse could be true for students with years of training as in, “Good voice, but with XX years of training it should be further along.” Good luck!!</p>