<p>(I also posted this on the Music Major Board)</p>
<p>Hi, I am a freshman in a VP program (I would prefer not to say where) and I am having second thoughts. I auditioned for VP because I have basically no MT experience, and I knew I could get into VP programs. I knew that a major in VP is basically training in an operatic style of singing, but I had never experienced opera, and so I though I wasn't sure if I liked it, I wasn't sure I DIDN'T like it either. So now I am here, and while I am not totally opposed to opera, I can confidently say that I do not feel the same connection to it that I do to the MT style of singing.
Ok, now that I've given the background story, here is my current dilemma. Should I stay with VP (I have read people on these boards saying they wanted to go the VP route because it makes you more versatile) and hope I can somehow direct myself in the direction of an MT after I graduate? Or should I attempt to change to MT (mind you, this may not even be an option, but should I even bother pursuing it)? I have not yet scheduled an appointment with someone from the music school to discuss options because I didn't want to jump the gun (I wanted to give myself time to adjust to the whole new college experience), but I thought I would get some opinions on here first because I know a lot of you guys usually have valuable insight.
Also, all I ever hear about VPs doing is going to Grad school then doing opera. Do any of you know of other paths VP majors have taken (still with music of course)? I really do want to have a career in music, I'm just not sure opera is what I want that to be.</p>
<p>At your school, are both VP and MT in the School of Music or is MT in the theater department? Do they both take voice in the same studios? In other words, how hard would it be for you to change? Or double major in MT and VP? If some of the courses overlap, that might be possible.</p>
<p>Yes, both are through the school of music, and while I think most studios are heavier on one side or the other, I think most of the teachers teach both.<br>
However, I'm still not sure how easy it would be to switch however due to different requirements for admittance to each program.</p>
<p>sing589 - Although I understand that you don't necessarily want to disclose the name of the college you are attending, I find it a bit difficult to give you any advice, because some of the advise (transfer within the school, transfer to another school, or simply staying with the VP program) is somewhat triggered by your particular circumstances. </p>
<p>Assuming you are at a school where there are both a VP and an MT program, that are very competitive to get into, and if you are contemplating a switch, you may need to evaluate where you are in terms of acting and dancing, as those two components, as I am sure you know, will definitely come into play for MT.</p>
<p>What prompted me to bring this up is that you mention that you have very little MT 'experience'. Does this mean little training? That said, may be you are a good "mover", and based on what you have seen in the productions that the MT department puts on, you are confident that you have the basic skills needed to get accepted. I am guessing that you may need to re-audition, and some MT programs indicate that that want you to be strong in at least two of the three components. </p>
<p>At the same time, remember that there are many "roads to an MT career", for some that includes a degree in MT, for others in VP, and for others a degree in a 'non performing arts related' degree.</p>
<p>Well if they're both through the school of music I'm guessing that the acting/dancing portions of the audition aren't as difficult or demanding as say a school where it is through the school of theatre. That said I would talk to your adviser and also try talking to the head of the MT department. Maybe there are some classes that you can take that maybe aren't just for majors to see if you like it or not. I mean you can always try to audition, you have nothing to lose if you're in the VP program already. Also try auditioning for the MT productions, talk to other students in the MT program. I'm sure that you can find at least one who made a transfer from VP. But I think this is something that the school itself will be able to help you with, since we don't know which program/school you go to.</p>
<p>If you do reconsiderer programs, there are BM VP degrees that offer a concentration in musical theatre. NYU Steinhardt offers such a program, but I believe there are others, too. At NYU, dance is not a component of the audition, but is a requirement of the degree. To receive their degree, students will need to study both musical theatre (mostly) and classical pieces. There is also a concentration in classical voice in the same program. VP students audition for both operas and musicals.</p>