<p>My D is a very strong singer (alto to high soprano with well-developed belt) but she is not a musician. She cannot play piano and has no training in music theory. Are there some schools that care more about this than others? Do I need to be worried about this, along with everything else :)</p>
<p>I have never heard this is an issue. Some schools include music theory and keyboard in the curriculum – maybe they all do. At my son’s school students can place out of the piano classes if they are sufficiently proficient, and I don’t think the standard is very high. </p>
<p>Are you saying that your daughter cannot read music? That would be more of a concern.</p>
<p>Same for S - so much so we considered straight acting. It seems to depend on the program. I think all music theatre programs have theory and keyboard in curriculum. However we looked at programs that also required composition, conducting, choir, and sight reading. So it would probably help to look at the core studies for each school and see what they require. S is going to take piano over the summer which may help a little.</p>
<p>She can read music a little. She is really an MT kid and her voice is an asset that she wants to use. She is also a good dancer and wants to use that as well. If she is bumped into acting by some schools that will still allow her to take MT classes she could accept that but she really wants MT. We had initial consult with MTCA and loved it. Vocal assessment with Ellen tomorrow so will probably ask about this. </p>
<p>@Ikemom it looks like your S got some great acceptances so this is good!! CCPA in particular is high on her list. . Is your S voice emphasis at CCPA?</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, it does matter apparently to some schools but not all. Some don’t even ask and others will teach you sightsinging and some music theory in your coursework. Music theory and sight singing has more emphasis at CCM, NYU Steinhardt,and UMich. Those are the only three that come to mind.</p>
<p>In terms of auditioning - I would say it is not important. My D is sure she bombed the Theory and Piano tests she did take at auditions - but still received acceptance or wait list status from most of those schools. </p>
<p>Now - in terms of classes once she gets to college? I’m sure we will all wish she had more Theory and Piano to help her through those courses. She has a slight advantage in that she has played the French Horn for 6 years, and does read music - but they cover very little Music Theory in her Band classes.</p>
<p>Yes he is a voice emphasis but his real strength is acting. We loved our audition experience with CCPA. They were so nice and it’s a beautiful school. I think your daughter will be fine especially if she also has dance training. Is she a junior this year? Are you thinking about a summer program? We sent my S to Perry Mansfield summer school for performing arts and it really helped him in many ways. It’s a six week program and they work 6 days a week from 8-5 then rehearse from 7-10. I think it really got him ready to deal with the massive challenge of the college audition process.</p>
<p>I dont think its a deal breaker during auditions - most are used for placement purposes if you’re asked to show your skills in these areas. Music theory and piano are important parts of the program at OCU, Penn State and Baldwin Wallace as well. Even if your student is not strong in these areas now, it is an important skill to acquire for MTs. When they are auditioning and performing professionally, especially for new works, sight reading skills are essential. There is a video on broadway.com I think somewhere where Kelli O’Hara discusses how her ability to sight read has helped her land parts in several new musicals. So don’t shy away from programs who require this. It is a skill all MTs will want to develop.</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone for these helpful answers. I am breathing a little easier 
She will have to study those things and is happy to do so. So far none of the schools mentioned as caring for the audition are high on her list so yay!</p>
<p>@Ikemom she does have dance training, including tap, but I would rank her an intermediate dancer and she is not classically trained in ballet. She has done two summer programs, Broadway Artists Alliance and 5th Avenue Professional Intensive. This summer she will be taking a three-week dance intensive and working with her MTCA coaches. And yes, she is a junior. Thanks to all of you we are starting NOW.</p>
<p>Great that you’re starting now, especially with MTCA! My S started with Ellen and her wonderful team toward the end of his sophomore year (thanks to a friendship with an MTCA’er who is now a freshman MT at Ithaca and her mom – hi, @monkey13!) and we have been SOOOO glad that we started so early with this whole process. </p>
<p>He also has no piano or other formal music training, other than voice for 5 years, and no music theory either – he’s a drummer, mostly self-taught, and can sort of make out sheet music for his songs but I wouldn’t say he can read music. It has not hurt him in auditions; the few that assessed or asked about music theory just said he’d be in Level 1! </p>
<p>D took a placement test for Music Theory and Keyboarding first semester (at CCPA) and was placed in the beginner class for both. (She played viola as a child, not very helpful in this case). She does have friends who tested out of the beginner classes which freed up some time to take extra dance (or whatever). So don’t worry either way. It was not a factor in her acceptances.</p>
<p>I don’t think it is a big deal as far as initial auditions at most programs. If students are tested for piano or music theory, it is usually for placement purposes. I will say that knowledge of music theory and ability to sight read easily has been a big plus for my D who recently graduated with a BFA in MT . Music Directors love that she can pick up a piece of music and go with it and it has definitely been a bonus for her in auditions and in jobs. While she could already sight read prior to college, I would say that it is an almost-necessary skill to pick up during college if a student does not already do so. </p>
<p>If a school gives a piano/theory/sightreading placement test at auditions, I would say that it could be a tie-breaker. I don’t know that any schools would not accept someone they LOVE based on it, but they also wouldn’t waste the time/expense at audition if it didn’t matter at all. </p>
<p>The staff at MTCA just confirmed that it will not be an issue at auditions and that the schools that give them use it for placement IF they accept you. These are valuable skills and I am glad she will be forced to take them in any MT program, especially sight reading.</p>
<p>@MT4Life, what you said makes sense. I think all of these “smaller” things can be tie breakers. </p>
<p>@evilqueen - There are some simple music theory workbooks out there that can help with some of the introductory topics. I don’t remember the names, but you should be able to Google for it or search Amazon, etc. I used something like those back in the Dark Ages when I was in HS prior to starting my bachelor of music degree. I found them again a few years ago when my D started getting interested in this stuff. She worked through them on her on. I might have answered a couple questions, but these books were pretty good at explaining stuff. Doing those could help her get some confidence. But most programs I’ve seen teach theory and piano (but don’t get me started on “Class Piano” =; )</p>
<p>Sightreading is absolutely a very important skill for MT performers to have, with piano skills running a close second. My D’s first job out of college, on a cruise ship, required that she learn about 90 songs for her first day of work. There was no rehearsal. If she hadn’t been capable of reading the music it would have been very difficult if not impossible. Since then, as an actress living in NYC, she is frequently expected to learn songs overnight for audition callbacks. It helps tremendously that she can sit down and play the accompaniment on the piano, so she knows what to expect. </p>
<p>It may not be an issue at all schools, although it may at some. However, every MT student should be able to read music and to play an instrument or two by the time they graduate. Many who are auditioning for these college programs will already have that ability from their high school years. In their careers, they will certainly need these skills. I know a lot of actors and I can’t think of any offhand that are not also musicians. I would recommend that she spend the months between now and her auditions, I’m assuming she’s auditioning next year?, getting started. It’s likely she can pick up quite a bit in the coming months and will probably feel more comfortable going into the audition process.</p>
<p>My S plays 3 instruments and has taken music theory and none of the auditors seemed to care. So no it is not necessary. Being a great singer is the most important thing. Dance also helps for girls. Just my opinion.</p>