<p>I have been asked to audition for SMUs voice program and I was wondering what kind of productions and classes are associated with vocal performance. How many musicals, plays and operas do they put on a year? What classes are required? What kind of repertoire is explored? Can you audition for all the productions every year? What is the vocal staff like?
I will probably have more questions later concerning cut systems and things like that, but I would like to know just the basic stuff first. Also, I have already been accepted to OCUs musical theater program, what are the differences and similarities between OCU and SMU? Thanks!</p>
<p>From one of our other ambassadors to you:</p>
<p>First of all, congrats on being asked to audition for the Voice program!
I don’t know a ton about the voice program - I’m a Theatre major and as far as musicals go, we often have a musical a year if a student elects to direct it that is open to all Meadows majors - dancers, vocal performance majors, theatre majors, musicians.
I know they have several Operas and brown-bags [student showcases] in the lobby of Meadows because I have attended them over the years. If he/she is interested in taking acting classes and being in musicals, I would encourage them to take acting for non-majors called “The Art of Acting” and auditioning for musicals in Dallas - there are a lot of shows going on in the DFW area that need ensemble dancers/singers/actors. </p>
<p>One of the greatest differences between OCU and SMU is that OCU is a conservatory, meaning as a student you are immersed in the Fine Arts and particularly pigeon-holed in your track. And off the record, I feel that a conservatory like OCU fosters a more competitive, cut-throat artistic experience, where as at SMU us Theatre majors aren’t concerned about making cuts, we are more focused on working together to produce excellent shows wether Main Stage or Student-Produced. Another difference is that at SMU you can immerse yourself in Vocal Performance or Music or Theatre, but you also have the benefit of a Liberal Arts education, meaning as a student I get to enjoy the college experience, take classes I’m interested in outside of Theatre like Art and Poetry and Art Management, and I have the opportunity to double-major in English. If he/she wants to be completely immersed in Musical Theatre, OCU is probably a better fit seeing as at SMU we don’t have a MT track. But if they want the benefit of FANTASTIC Fine Arts training while pursuing Musical Theatre on their own, or would rather focus on vocal technique rather than MT, and take other classes that interest them, SMU is a great fit.</p>
<p>Here’s the link to the Voice programs schedule this semester, and different department heads. If this person would like to email the faculty to ask more questions before or after their audition, I know the professors are awesome about talking with students about their academic/professional goals and making sure SMU is the right fit. I have friends in the Voice program who chose SMU over other school’s because they loved the faculty they met.</p>
<p>Hi MusicMajor110.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: I am a parent, not a student. But I’m pretty familiar with the program. </p>
<p>First of all, you need to know that SMU’s voice program is predominantly an opera program. There is SOME musical theater, but at this point, there is relatively little emphasis in that area. Like johnangle said, there is often a musical in any given year, but it is student led. That’s not to say it isn’t good, or fun, or a great experience, but it is not a faculty-led program.</p>
<p>johnangle mentioned the Opera Free For All “brown bags.” They’re a lot of fun. There are something like 6 per year. Chairs are set up in the lobby of Meadows, and the guests are welcome to bring their lunches and enjoy the show for free. (Other Meadows groups do brown-bags, too, not just voice. The dance brown-bags are phenomenal!) They aren’t full operas – they might be just one or two scenes from an opera, or a variety of arias, or several famous opera songs, or even some musical theater numbers. (The majority of times it is NOT musical theater, though.) Sometimes the voice students audition for roles, and sometimes they’re assigned their roles. Minimal props are used, which makes it kind of fun, and the music and acting are always well done.</p>
<p>All undergrad voice students must participate in one of two choir ensembles each year. Your ensemble will be one of your classes each year, plus you’ll have scheduled performances. (This will be the same no matter where you study voice.)</p>
<p>There is currently only one mainstage opera per year. They are often double-cast, providing more opportunities for students. You cannot audition for the opera in your freshman year. You CAN audition in any other year.</p>
<p>The voice department does not put on any plays. The theater department puts on excellent plays. But, to my knowledge, the voice students are not involved. They’re plays – no singing! 
(Except for the musical theater collaborations which are also good – but student-led, involving students from all departments.)</p>
<p>In years past, there has sometimes been a short opera program in August (before school starts) in Taos, NM. The past 2 years, I think it has been more of a musical theater program than an opera program. Singing and dancing. (Did you know that SMU has a small, beautiful campus in Taos?) But, back on the main campus, the focus is heavily weighted on opera. </p>
<p>So, that covers productions.</p>
<p>Classes? First of all, there’s a Bachelor of Arts in music and a Bachelor of Music. I am assuming you’re asking about the BM. The BA requires less. The BM requires more. It is a classical-training program, basically. I believe that no matter where you go to get a BM degree in vocal performance, your degree will be close to identical. I might be missing something here, but this is very close … it’s something like 2+ years of music history, 2+ years of music theory, 2+ years of aural skills, 2 years of piano, 1 year of pedagogy (how to teach), 2 years of vocal coaching, 4 years of private lessons, 1 year of repertoire, 4 years of ensemble, 1-3 years of foreign language (1 year of each Italian, German, and French are recommended), 1+ years of diction, 2-4 years of opera ensemble, several music electives, and a few other music requirements, along with SMU’s basic core curriculum.</p>
<p>Lots of people don’t know this, but SMU’s performance degrees are some of the highest credit-hour degrees on campus. A BM rivals an engineering degree in terms of hours required. Some small exceptions are made to core and honors curriculums for just a few degrees on campus, because of the sheer number of hours required to earn the degree itself … engineering and music performance are two that come to mind, and they might be the only two now that I think about it. So, it’s a demanding, but exhilarating degree.</p>
<p>From all accounts, the vocal staff is phenomenal. You really can’t go wrong. Ditto to what johnangle said: lots of students choose SMU BECAUSE of the voice faculty!</p>
<p>OCU versus SMU. Unless things have changed at OCU, you will find a MUCH greater emphasis on musical theater there. I do not know how the opera programs compare, but if OCU is as it was several years ago, its musical theater program is very strong. SMU’s is not. (I’m not saying that when they do musical theater, it’s weak. It’s just that they don’t really do musical theater, as a “sanctioned” department-level, faculty-led program. They do opera.)</p>
<p>The liberal arts education at SMU is phenomenal. But you CAN get a liberal arts degree at OCU, too. You can double major at OCU, just like you can at SMU (unless things have changed). I would argue that the liberal arts degree at SMU would probably carry more weight – SMU is widely known and respected for MANY things – business, all of the arts, law, theology, human rights, medieval studies, and lately engineering, to name just a few; OCU is probably not well-recognized outside of the MT/music communities, that I know of. (I don’t intend to put down OCU, though. It’s a fine school!)</p>
<p>I think OCU is very collaborative too, not really competitive as johnangle described. I think the two schools might feel similar in terms of competitiveness. There is a lot of collaboration at SMU. The students are very good to each other. But, the nature of what you want to do is competitive. You will always be competing for roles, no matter where you go to school. And both schools support a collaborative, teamwork approach to learning and doing.</p>
<p>OCU is considerably smaller and more low-key. SMU is bigger and somehow “flashier.” It is an amazing school. But it is in a very wealthy community and attended by a lot of students from wealthy families. It is VERY friendly. The students are smart and welcoming … but, imo, it’s hard not to be aware of the wealth while you’re on campus. That’s a great thing. That wealth affords all attendees some fantastic opportunities! But it can also be … idk, not as “down-to-earth” or not as “comfortable?” for some. It’s hard to describe. I absolutely LOVE SMU. But the two campuses have a distinctly different feel. You should definitely visit both campuses to see what fits you best.</p>
<p>But, if you absolutely have your heart set on MT, you should (wincing here) probably lean towards OCU.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you! :)</p>
<p>^Allow me to clarify, please…
I started my post above with “I am a parent.” And that’s what brings me to CC – parent-stuff. So when I’m on here, talking to students, I want them to know where I’m coming from – ie, not a student. But though I AM a parent, of a small handful of college kids, I wrote to you, MusicMajor110, as an adult who is somewhat familiar with both SMU’s and OCU’s programs. I just wanted you to know that although I am familiar with the programs you mentioned, what I have passed along is NOT from a current student’s perspective nor from a student’s parent’s persepctive. My knowledge is from another arena. If that matters to you. I should have started with, “I’m an adult, not a student.” That’s more the point I was trying to make. :)</p>
<p>If you are looking to study music theatre, SMU is not the place to go for vocal performance. (Opera workshop is similar to acting class, but not exactly the same type of acting class you would receive at a MT SCHOOL, but by far the most MT relate-able class there). However, if you are interested in studying classically, performing in operas, and growing as a very strong musician, SMU is a wonderful place. </p>
<p>Auditioning cannot hurt you, but I would really think about what you want to study. If musical theatre is your passion, you may feel like something is missing at SMU, for students are not encouraged to sing music theatre repertoire. One piece a semester IF YOU ARE LUCKY. SMU Meadows is a very strong school of the arts… BOTH HAVE GREAT BENEFITS! It all depends what you are looking for.</p>
<p>^I totally agree with the above.</p>