<p>Is it true that even if a student is a talented performer of musical theatre, they have no chance of being admitted into U of M’s MT program unless they can also play piano? This was recently told to me by a parent of a former student. I would appreciate if someone in the know would address this issue. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I know that piano sight reading is a part of the audition, which is one of the reasons my D chose not to audition at U of M. She is an advanced string player, plays the guitar and can sight read anything vocally but she cannot play the piano. I am curious to see if they accepted any non-piano players.</p>
<p>There’s a piano skills placement portion of the audition but it’s not that big a deal and they say it’s for placement only. I’m pretty sure non-players get in.</p>
<p>actor12 is correct. Piano is for placement only. When my son auditioned two years ago in NYC (when they used to have auditions in NY!) they didn’t even do the piano placement test… they waited until orientation; so it had nothing to do with acceptance.</p>
<p>Thanks lojosmo, actor12 and theatermom2013, I appreciate your input!</p>
<p>The University of Michigan website says of the Piano Audition (as part of the Musical Theatre audition): </p>
<p>“Playing another instrument can be extremely valuable for your overall understanding of music. However, it’s still important to begin studying piano before and/or during high school. Learning to play the piano immediately before this audition is fine, but generally of limited value. It’s best to begin a steady, organized process of piano study long before your senior year. While playing by ear is of value, it’s not a substitute for music reading skills.”</p>
<p>zebrarunner~ just relating my son’s experience. No piano at his audition. He had a placement test at orientation. He never had a piano lesson in his life, but plays the sax, can read music well and is musically inclined. He tested out of piano midway through freshman year.</p>
<p>Glad the piano is only for placement. I’m not really sure they’d like to hear my rendition of the first two bars of “Happy Birthday”… :)</p>