<p>My daughter specifically wants to pursue a BM in Musical Theatre with intentions to go on to obtain a MM in Music Education. She is stongly considering JMU’s BM in Music Theatre within the school of music. We are still unclear as to the differences (curriculum content)between the musical theatre program within the school of music versus BA degree within the school of theatre and dance. JMU’s website is not clear about this. Can anyone help to clarify this?</p>
<p>My daughter started out at JMU in the BM in Vocal Performance with a concentration in Musical Theatre. There is more focus on music theory, music history, diction, voice lessons, choirs etc. She transferred to the BA MT program where there is focus on acting, dance and vocal performance. There are many classes required in both concentrations. Kate who posts here could clarify the details. She has a chart which compares the two programs and is helpful in seeing the differences. You also might find more information on the website for the music department regarding music education.</p>
<p>Kate, do you have any insight on this?</p>
<p>Hello!</p>
<p>If you email me at <a href=“mailto:arecchkm@jmu.edu”>arecchkm@jmu.edu</a> I can send you the chart I have the indicates the differences… </p>
<p>for students who may want to go on to purse a MM, I often recommend the BM because students follow the same music core as ALL music students… Conducting 2+ years of music theory, ear training, and piano, full music history sequence, etc… (for the MBM Music Theatre students they add on a small cluster of required courses in acting, dance, musical theatre performance and history, and theatre support courses.) </p>
<p>There are students who are in the BME (Bachelor’s of Music Ed), BM – Vocal Performance, BMI (Bachelor’s of Music Industry) programs at JMU that take additional courses in the musical theatre/ theatre/ dance programs. Some choose to declare an official Theatre minor. This can be a VERY useful credential for a HS Choral Music teacher… some simpley take the classes that interest them on a space available/ auditioned (in the case of Music Theatre courses) basis. </p>
<p>One of the terrific things about JMU is that there is lots of opportunity to get involved in multiple co-curricular opportunities. </p>
<p>Email me with any specific questions :)</p>
<p>I also am having this dilemma about which program I should apply to. I actually applied to both thinking that they were one program! Unfortunately I also applied for the same day for both…still trying to work that out, but their offices are closed for the break. I am not such a strong dancer (because I’ve never really had any training) but my acting and singing are strong. Would the BA or the BM be recommended? I’m having trouble weighing the differences.</p>
<p>Hi CarolAnneMT – When you applied academically to JMU you indicated a major preference on the application, but you were not locked into that choice. Academic admissions at JMU is separate from the artistic admissions… meaning a student can be admitted to JMU academically, but not artistically. If so, a student may come to JMU in any major without special admissions requirements.</p>
<p>In terms of the two programs:</p>
<p>Students in the BM program complete the music core… they are music majors with a small cluster of required courses in musical theatre, theatre, and dance.</p>
<p>Students in the BA program follow a similar course of study to the Theatre students. The program is pretty balanced with theatre, musical theatre, music, and dance courses.</p>
<p>The students are integrated in productions and in classroom work for the common courses, but the programs are administered and audition separately.</p>
<p>A student may audition for both the BA and the BM programs and if admitted to both choose the program that they feel will best meet their academic needs.</p>
<p>Students auditioning for the BM program sing two pieces. One in foreign language, and the other may be a musical theatre piece. There is also a music theory/ piano placement. If admitted to the BM program a student will spend their freshman year following the same course of study as all BM student with voice as their primary instrument, and at the jury at the end of the freshman year indicate that they would like to be considered for placement in the Music Theatre Emphasis. the other options are Vocal Performance, Music Education, and Music Industry.</p>
<p>Students auditioning for the BA program are admitted directly to the BA Musical Theatre program. Students have the option of indicating on the audition form that they would like to be considered for admission to Theatre program in the event they are not admitted into the Musical Theatre program. The audition consists of two contrasting musical theatre pieces, a monologue, a dance, and an interview. The dance is leveled (beginning, intermediate, advanced). Auditioning students have the opportunity decide how much of the dance they would like to attempt… just the beginning section, the beginning and intermediate sections, or all three sections. We aim for a balanced class of skills… some admitted students are stronger dancer/ actors some are stronger singer/ actors, some are stronger singer/ dancers. We, of course, also admit students who are equally strong in all three areas. However, we look for potential for growth in the third area as long as two out of the three areas are strong.</p>
<p>I would be more than happy to email you a side by side comparison of the BA and BM curriculum if you email me at <a href=“mailto:arecchkm@jmu.edu”>arecchkm@jmu.edu</a> or PM me with your email address.</p>
<p>Please also feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.</p>
<p>Happy New Year!</p>
<p>Kate</p>
<p>Thanks so much! The information was very helpful.</p>