Transferring to MT Programs

<p>Does JMU take transfer students into the MT program or allow students accepted into a theatre concentration at JMU audition for acceptance for the MT program during their freshman year?
I’m interested to know about both the MT programs- Theatre and Dance department as well as the Music department.</p>

<p>Hi there!</p>

<p>We will take transfer students into the BA Musical Theatre Concentration in the School of Theatre and Dance, but this audition happens in the Spring semester for the following Fall semester (ex. We just auditioned transfer students for admission into the concentration starting in the Fall of '08). Students may not begin in the concentration 1/2 way through the freshman year. </p>

<p>However, students in the Theatre concentration are required to take many of the same classes in the freshman year as the musical theatre theatre concentrators, and may take some of the others that are required for the musical theatre concentration.</p>

<p>Both musical theatre and theatre concentrators take Acting, Performance Production and Performance Analysis in their freshman year.</p>

<p>Musical Theatre concentrtators are also required to take dance and voice classes as freshman.</p>

<p>Theatre concentrators may elect to take dance classes, and may elect to take the voice class for Theatre and Dance concentrators. Theatre Concentrators who think they might like to audition to transfer into the concentration at the end of their freshman year are encouraged to do so. </p>

<p>Transfer students into the Musical Theatre Concentration are generally accepted into the sophomore year of the concentration, so voice and dance classes in the freshman year will help them be ready to enter the sophomore year of study if they are accepted into the Musical Theatre Concentration. </p>

<p>As far as the School of Music BM in Music Theatre. I believe that students may come to JMU as BM Music, but undeclared on a specific instrument (I had a few students in my acting class who did this, and I recently discussed this with a member of the music faculty who said my understanding was correct.... but, I would still suggest contacting the SOM directly to make sure). Those students would register to take all of the music core courses in the first semester of their freshman year that the music majors who already auditioned and were accepted on a specific instrument (in this case, voice) are taking... the one exception would be voice lessons. Students are given the opportunity to audition for placement in a voice studio at the end of the first semester of the freshman year (usually at juries). If a student was accepted into a studio that student would begin voice lessons in the second semester of the freshman year.</p>

<p>All students at JMU are eligible to take acting, dance, and many music and musical theatre performance classes. All JMU students may audition for musicals, operas, and plays on campus.</p>

<p>Please feel free to post here, PM, or email me with any additional questions.</p>

<p>Kate</p>

<p>Thanks so much KatMT for you very detailed answers! This information will be so helpful to my D as she considers JMU's programs. Do you happen to know how many students are admitted in the MT BM program each year?<br>
In retrospect, I wish my D had auditioned for both programs.</p>

<p>I do not know how many are admitted to the MT BM. I believe that the vocal students in the music school actually audition at the end of the freshman year for placement in a particular concentration, because all BM music students (who have already auditioned for and have been admitted) for whom voice is the primary instrument are in the same courses freshman year.... including voice lessons. Students often do enter with an intent to be in a specific concentration (VP or MT), but the concentration is officially declared at he end of the freshman year. </p>

<p>Although the SOM does not seem to have a certain number of students who are admitted into each specific concentration, they will have a certain number of student that they are able to accept into the SOM with voice as their primary instrument... I believe that this includes MT, VP, Music Industry, and Music Education.</p>

<p>Again, I do not teach in the SOM, and most of my understanding is from talking with students and faculty in the SOM.</p>

<p>All of the students who are in the BM Music Theatre Concentration in the SOM take musical theatre performance courses, acting, and dance courses in the School of Theatre & Dance (many VP, Music Ed., and Music Industry students do as well). I would say that there are approximately 9 - 12 students in the BM Music Theatre Concentration.... this does not include freshman who intend to declare MT as their concentration.</p>

<p>I hope this helps.</p>

<p>Kate</p>

<p>Thanks Kate. This information is so very helpful. I think my D will need to make some contacts witht he School of Music when she visits this week.
Angie</p>

<p>Here is a link to the SOM Undergraduate Programs information page. There is a link to the SOM students handbook that talks about the different programs.</p>

<p>JMU</a> School of Music :: Undergraduate Degree Programs</p>

<p>You may also want to contact the Music Admissions office directly at:
Phone: 540/568-3851
Email: <a href="mailto:music_admit@jmu.edu">music_admit@jmu.edu</a></p>

<p>Also, feel free to contact me about coming in to visit the School of T & D when you are on campus.
<a href="mailto:arecchkm@jmu.edu">arecchkm@jmu.edu</a></p>

<p>Kate</p>

<p>Hi Angie.</p>

<p>It was terrific to get to meet you at Jake and Laura's Senior Recital yesterday. </p>

<p>I will send your D the side by side comparison of BA vs. BM at JMU.</p>

<p>Hope to see you this Friday.</p>

<p>Kate</p>

<p>Hi Kate,
It was great to meet you as well. C did receive the side by side comparison of the 2 programs which is very helpful. She will be in touch by e-mail about visiting on Thursday or Friday.
Angie</p>