<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am am the coordinator of the Musical Theatre program at JMU. I am lucky enough in that capacity to work with students in both the BA Musical Theatre Concentration and the BM Music Theatre Emphasis.</p>
<p>I would say that the main difference between the two degree programs is that the BM students are primarily pursuing the music core courses with additional course in musical theatre, theate, and dance; the BA students are primarily pursuing the theatre core with additional courses in musical theatre, music and dance. </p>
<p>At JMU many of the kids in the BA Musical Thearte Concentration are not "dancing actors learning to sing"... Many are singers who could have gotten into the BM concentration as singers (and a few did before transferring into the BA Musical Theatre program), but have chosen to pursue a path that is more theatre focused than music focused. There are also student in the BM program who are as strong dancers as the students in the BA program, but have chosen to be in the BM program because they want to do the full music core. Many of these students also could have been competitive for the BA program. </p>
<p>Often students in the BA program take additional courses in music because they want those additional music skills. On the flip side, many students in the BM Music Theatre program are strong actors who take additional classes in acting and dance because they want those additional skills.</p>
<p>I council students who are interested in the two programs to look at the curriculum side by side to get a sense of which curriculum is the best fit for their interests. If you would like to see a side by side layout of the crossover of the two programs of study I would be happy to send it to you in an email.... it is a word document attachment, so I cannot post it. </p>
<p>If you are interested in JMU I would be happy to put you in touch with current students in addition to your friend... based on the location listed in your member stats, I think I know who your very talented friend is :) ... I have her in class this semester! </p>
<p>At JMU in terms of the BA program, dance is a part of the audition process... however, because we are looking for balance in the class some students are stronger dancers, some students are stronger actors, and some are stronger singers when they are admitted. We work with each student to make sure they are placed in the appropriate classes to facilitate their growth over the four years. In this year's freshman class there are a few who have dance as an initial strength with potential for strong growth in the other areas, and few who have singing or acting as an initial strength with potential for strong growth in dance (our freshman class is 8 to allow for individual attention and opportunities). The goal is for all to have developed strength in the other areas before they graduate in four years. </p>
<p>Most who are competitive for admission to the BA MT concentration have a strength in two out of the three area (with a strong potential growth in the third area)... or in a perfect world strength in all three areas. </p>
<p>Auditions for transfer students into the BA MT program at JMU are in early April.... after the 3/15 transfer student application deadline. Depending on your prior course work at junior college it is possible that you could complete the MT program in 2 - 3 years. Although it is most likely that it would take 2.5 to 3 years because of the voice lesson and dance sequence, and because of transfer credits in general education classes.</p>
<p>The BM Music Theatre emphasis auditions and is administered separately from the BA program. I would suggest contacting the School of Music for information on how long it might take you to complete thier course of study as a transfer student.</p>
<p>Please feel free to PM me if you have any additional questions.
:)</p>