<p>My D is a rising junior who is very interested in applying to MT BFA programs for college. She is working on her acting, singing and dancing but it has come to her attention that some programs (I think U Mich does this) includes sight reading a piece on the piano in their audition. She played classical piano for several years but stopped in eighth grade because all the performance stuff took over. She knows how to read music, but certainly could not sight read a piano piece cold, particularly the bass cleff. My question is--is this something she needs for other auditions? It doesn't seem necessary for the obvious ones she has researched so far, such as CMU, NYU, Emerson, etc. I'm wondering if it's just true of the music conservatory schools, such as Bocco or OCU, which I don't think she'd be applying to. But, if she did decide to do it so she could apply to those and/or U Mich, how would you suggest she do it, take theory/piano privately? And does she have time--her auditions would be in about 18 months. They offer theory at her school but it conflicts with her drama program. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Several schools include some sort of theory placement or piano test as part of their audition day. In some cases, they say it is for placement purposes only. My thought is that the more you are prepared for this additional aspect, the better. First, if you go in clueless, I would imagine some students would start worrying about that and let it affect their audition. </p>
<p>Basic theory and piano are skills that will prove invaluable to anyone pursuing an MT career, so since your d is a junior, she has time to get a very solid background. Many piano teachers will teach a good bit of theory in the piano lessons, as opposed to needing additional theory lessons.</p>
<p>And, if a student plays piano well enough, it can be a great source of income through school and beyond. At some schools, students have to pay an accompanist to come to their voice lessons - sometimes regularly, sometimes occasionally. If an MT student plays well enough to do this, it gives them $$$, plus the ability to learn through watching different voice teachers work with different students - a definite bonus, as far as I'm concerned.</p>
<p>OCU does not require one to play the piano at the audition. There is an optional piano placement test at the beginning of the school year if one is an advanced pianist, otherwise they start out in group piano. There is a theory placement test also, but not at the audition. It certainly makes it easier if one has some background in theory, and personally, I think every singer should be able to read music really, really well.</p>
<p>I love when this topic comes up and I have voiced my opinion about it several times. Reading music is essential to a singer. Playing the piano, if not essential, is a HUGE asset.</p>
<p>I graduated myself with a BFA Degree. I went to SUNY Fredonia. I can't tell you how many students in my class dropped out of the BFA program because of they could not handle the two years of theory. </p>
<p>That was many years ago and I think they have changed the requirement. I had to take theory with music majors... People who had been playing instruments their whole lives. I had taken piano and theory and could barely keep up. It was hard work. I remember the class was M-F at 9am. I worked hard and made it through the two years.</p>
<p>Most schools will give you a theory test and piano test to place you. If they don't.... don't think it a lucky stroke... find another school! One where these skills are important to the program.</p>
<p>Start taking theory now, start taking piano now. These are both skills you can get a private tutor for if your school doesn't offer them.</p>
<p>Voice majors (Singers) are notoriously thought of as bad musicians. The reputation is mostly deserved. I play piano very well....I coach many, many singers/actors/models who are working/auditioning in NYC professionally (and tours and regional theater) all the time. To be honest, Many of them are lovely, talented people but are awful musicians. I make a lot of money just plunking out notes and making tapes for people.</p>
<p>If you are serious about being in the "business" it will be invaluable to you to learn these skills yourself.</p>
<p>I agree with what others have written. Your daughter will not have to know how to play piano or know music theory necessarily for the AUDITION itself. Even UMich's piano part of the audition is for placement purposes, and then other schools hold that placement audition when college starts. </p>
<p>HOWEVER......for anyone going into this field, it is very important to have skills in music theory, sight reading music, and playing piano. So, while not required to get admitted necessarily, these are skills to start building up NOW as they WILL be needed in college and in this career field. That would be the primary reason to start taking piano and/or music theory. As an aside, schools would look favorably to such skills on a resume, I'm sure too.</p>
<p>My own child did not take music theory as a class in her high school (though she was in the music department for other courses....chorus, jazz band, music tech and oops, well, she actually took Jazz Theory, I forgot...just not Music Theory). But she is very proficient at music theory and sight reading because of her ten years of taking piano lessons (which she didn't take due to MT but just 'because'). Her piano teacher was very into a piano student learning theory and so that is where my D learned all her music theory....through instrumental lessons....ten years on piano, five years on flute, and three years on guitar (all with private lessons), five years of band, five years of jazz band, prior to HS graduation. She didn't do this to get into college but was always into music (as was my other D who is not pursuing performing arts). But now that she is in a BFA in MT program, it has come in much more than "handy." For one thing, she placed out of all the required music theory (including keyboard) courses in her program, a nice perk with her time. </p>
<p>Moreover, as a singer, she can sight read any music on the spot which has helped ENORMOUSLY in auditions when she is often given music she has never seen before in a callback and can learn it very quickly and says that others cannot so easily. </p>
<p>Being a piano player has helped her career in so many ways. She can compose music, arrange it, write harmonies, musically direct, accompany auditions (by sight reading music) and accompany shows, and accompany herself as she sings (gets performance gigs this way....just learned today she got one in the city next month). She already can earn good money doing this. </p>
<p>All in all, knowing music theory and being a proficient piano player has paid off in spades in her work in musical theater and I cannot recommend starting those skills enough now in HS....not so much for college auditions but because one wants to be in musical theater.</p>
<p>Most of the successful MT actors I've known through the years have also been musicians, singers, songwriters. It is an essential component in their ability to book work and to support themselves. Will a student need it for college auditions? Maybe not, but it will be to their distinct advantage if they have those abilities at that point, at the beginning of their college years.</p>
<p>Just for the record, the piano placement test at UMich is extremely easy. It is exactly that, a placement test. My son has had 10 lessons in his life and was accepted into the program. I don't think it is anything to worry about. But Ditto to the importance of playing the piano. And kudos to UMich for including it in their MT schedule. That is one thing that is missing from CCM's program that has me a little concerned.</p>
<p>Just wanted to thank all the posters who weighed in on this topic. While it is a relief to know that her knowledge of piano and music theory won't have a huge impact on her MT auditions, it is very good advice that she do work in this area now. She will probably never be a wonderful pianist but she can certainly improve and she can use the theory. So I will be looking for someone to give her private lessons. Thanks so much!</p>