<p>My son is a junior in HS and will be auditioning this Fall. WCC looked like a great program (strong musically), but new. I have not seen many recent poss, so I was wondering what is new with the program:
Where do Freshman live now?
Has the dance program improved?
Is there a theory test at audition?
How many MT majors will they place in a freshman class?
Is it very competative?
Thanks! Any more up-to-date info would be great!</p>
<p>purple, I will do my best with your questions</p>
<p>The newer MT’s now live in Lawrenceville, we actually saw their dorm last weekend when we were down for a visit. It looks nice and is only a short walk accross the pond from the theatre building.</p>
<p>They have added a lot more dance for the new curriculum. My D who is on the older curriculum added a dance minor. All dance classes are at Princeton Ballet and are very good quality.</p>
<p>There is a theory test for placement and if I am not mistaken they have revamped the theory prtion for the new MTs
More later</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply in April. My son has his first MT audition scheduled there on Dec 11th. Is there anything else about their program you could post??? I like how the degree is a BM and it sounds like it is vocaly strong. What does your daughter think about the acting and dancing component? Do the students get much performace opportunities? Is there a senior showcase for all? Do they have a “Cut” after sophomre year? Any info is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>First I would tell him not to worry, this is a great audition to have first. The faculty are very supportive. As you know the program has change since my daughter’s class (now a Junior). They have ramped up the dance and acting classes and dropped some of the “generic” music theory classes. So far, my daughter has been pleased with her opportunites to perform and I assume that with being on the Rider campus the newer MT’s will be more integrated into the Rider shows. They have had a senior showcase for each graduating class in NYC in the spring for the last 3 years. The class sizes are kept small (10 -15) so everyone gets to participate. Several recent grads are doing well, including one boy who is on Broadway in Jersey Boys. Every year they have a review at the end of the year to discuss how they are progressing. At the end of Soph. year the review can include advising students as to whether they are progressing at the rate they would need to in order to seek professional work upon completion of the degree. Students are sometimes passed “conditonally” if they have areas that must be brought up to speed (including academically). It is an intense program, but this is why my daughter is happy there. She really feels that she is working hard on what matters to her and is improving in ways that will allow her to work in the industry after graduation.
Feel free to ask any other questions your S may have and I will do my best to find out the answer.</p>