My D was accepted to the Lyric Theatre class of 2024. Can anyone tell me about the program? She’s been accepted to 4 other BFA/MT programs but she really likes the school (even though we won’t be able to visit for obvious reasons.)
Forgot to mention the school. University of Illinois "My D was accepted to the University of Illinois Lyric Theatre class of 2024. Can anyone tell me about the program? She’s been accepted to 4 other BFA/MT programs but she really likes the school (even though we won’t be able to visit for obvious reasons.)
Hi!
It all heavily depends on what your D is looking for in her education. Im at UIUC and here’s what I know from my peers:
Lyric Theater at UIUC is very focused on classical music. It is truly a program meant for opera singers or choral students interested in studying some musical theater. The program is run like an opera studies program with a few MT classes starting junior year. In the first two years of the program, students are not allowed to sing musical theater songs with their voice teacher. (Though teachers often bend this rule) There is also almost no acting training in the program. They put Lyric theater with non majors for the semester of acting (So mostly people in engineering) Many people in the past two classes of the program has left or switched majors because of the programs lack of focus on musical theater and high focus on music training (theory, arual skills, etc) (a few of them were my roomates)
Frustratingly enough, most of this is not told to prospective students. So many arrive at the school shocked at what the experience actually is. This has caused my peers a lot of stress and anxiety.
Also, important to note that playing piano is really expected of students. (Though the staff will say it’s not, students are completely lost with out this skill from what I hear) Students are placed in the same theory and aural skills classes as composition majors. Many LT students struggle in these classes, (I’ve advised three who were at failing grades) so if she does attend, be prepared for a rigorous and competitive music curriculum.
As a side note, the program/students have a rep for being “clicky” or rude to other departments. I’ve not worked with them directly, so I can’t say if it’s true, but I thought I’d mention it.
If your daughter is truly focused on opera/choir this may be the perfect fit for her! Those people really excel in LT and seem to get what they want. But, if she is more looking for the traditional BFA experience, I would look into her other options first.