Music and Drama Major - Good or Bad Idea?

<p>I am a string musician and I want to do that in college but I have a huge passion for acting. I am not a vocalist so musical theater isn't me. Is it hard to do both of these majors? Could i double major or is that to extreme? Should I maybe minor in drama? I really need some advice.</p>

<p>That’s an interesting combination, and I’m sure it’s possible to double major, depending on what program you pick: I would suggest looking at BA programs. It’s difficult (but not impossible) to double-major in a BFA program if you want to finish in 4 years.
Also, keep this in mind: music and theater programs will both have certain performance requirements. You might find that you have conflicts between required concerts and theater productions. Be sure to research this with whatever schools you are looking at.</p>

<p>I agree that you will most likely want to find BA programs where you can double major in music and drama. A BM degree in music with a double degree BA or BFA in Theatre/ Drama would be VERY difficult.</p>

<p>This combination could be very doable in many BA programs.</p>

<p>My son got a BA with double major in Music and Theater, at a small, competitive liberal arts college. He had no scheduling problems he couldn’t easily overcome by talking to professors. He graduated in 4 years and had no AP credits coming in (mediocre public high school offered no AP’s). He enjoyed college tremendously and ignored every questioner about the impracticality of his two majors. :p</p>

<p>He also found advantages to the double major of Theater and Music. For example, when he wanted as his senior thesis (for the Acting major) to stage a reading of an original musical drama he’d write and compose, he approached the Music department for cooperation and support. Even though his senior project was to satisfy Theater major requirements, the Music department provided 4 music students as a chamber pit orchestra and gave a small stipend so they’d also have a conductor, who was a recent graduate of their department living nearby. He said he only got that kind of consideration for the Theater project because he was also a Music Major. </p>

<p>He found crossovers in his studies, for example, a course in Songwriting from the Music department gave him guidance and work time to compose the music and lyrics for his senior thesis. </p>

<p>The tricky scheduling came with his EC’s, because choral practices (in your case, more likely orchestra)
and play productions happened on weekday evenings; performances weekends. He found enough opportunities but occasionally had to turn down an acting role to keep active with choir. But those were EC’s, not academic requirements of courses. </p>

<p>Other double majors wouldn’t have worked as well. He found it impossible to double-major in History and Theater departments. At that college both of those departments required time-intensive senior projects as part of their major. So you’ll check that out individually by course catalogue to see what is expected senior year for the majors, depending on each college you consider.</p>

<p>Course scheduling works out, especially if you know in advance this is your intention. You can make a four-year plan to get in both departments’ requirements. </p>

<p>Something to consider is if you have enough time for other courses from every other department! </p>

<p>At his school, they didn’t have any Minors, but sometimes there are “Concentrations in…” that come pretty close to a minor. Today he’s proud to say he was a double major, and it gives him some credibility in both arenas.</p>

<p>In the interest of potential future use, I’ve linked to the op’s identical question here in the music major forum: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/797633-music-drama-major-good-bad-idea.html#post1063412950[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/797633-music-drama-major-good-bad-idea.html#post1063412950&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>paying3tuitions, could you tell me where your son went to school? I have a daughter interested in music and drama, but NOT a musical theater program, and I’m trying to help her research her options. Thank you!</p>

<p>esarafish - the thread you have pulled up is four years old. Not sure if paying3tuitions is still a contributor to the theatre forum (doesn’t sound familiar as of late), but you could start your own thread asking if anyone NOW has info about a music/theatre double major.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Kenyon is a school where you could do that double major–if she’s looking for a BA. I expect many liberal arts colleges would have that as an option.</p>

<p>Just came from my daughter’s Northwestern graduation and there were a few kids who were music and theatre majors, so I would suggest looking into Northwestern.</p>

<p>Thanks! I will look into those suggestions.</p>