<p>I am a junior vocal music major at a Performing Arts High School, and this past summer began my college search. Currently my top choices are OCU, CMU, NYU Steinhardt, and Shenandoah Conservatory. I am also looking at Point Park, UMich, and Emerson. I haven’t really given much thought to safety schools yet… but I have some time. I’m particulary interested in a musically focused program, because thats my greatest strength and passion… I currently spend half my classes in choir, music theory, and music history at school! I’m a strong mezzo, and I take classical voice lessons where I learn MT with the classical, “mix” technique. Acting is also a strong suit… and dance… not so much.</p>
<p>Anyway! I digress…</p>
<p>My friend and I were talking the other day and he mentioned that Westminster Choir College has a relatively new MT program. I pretty much freaked out, because back when I wanted to go for vocal performance, I was obsessed with Westminster, and I couldn’t believe after all the time I’ve spent reading these boards, I hadn’t seen it mentioned. So, does anyone have any info about the quality of Westminster’s MT program? I looked it up, and I’m pretty sure that he’s right and they do have one. I would assume its highly musically focused with lots of choral singing and theory and such (joy!). I just know nothing about it!</p>
<p>Also, what other schools would you recommend for someone with a strong music emphasis, as well as extremely good acting training? Also, what schools emphasize a healthy classical technique rather than belting in thier vocal training?</p>
<p>I don't know anything about the program (except that it's new), but they sent my D a nice CD of their choirs with the application/view book. I still enjoy it.</p>
<p>I can't tell you much about it except a friend of mine who lives near it (but now is at the interlochen academy for voice) partcipated in their youth choir and thought it was great. I know she plans on applying there for MT.</p>
<p>My voice teacher came back from a convention a few months ago RAVING about the voice teachers at Westminster. She says they are incredible. I doubt I will be applying there but I thought it was interesting that a college I had never heard of was the one she couldn't stop gushing over.</p>
<p>I know nothing about Westminster, but as I just advised someone on another thread - Baldwin-Wallace College should be considered in addition to what you named.</p>
<p>WCC is near Princeton PA, Rider is in Lawrenceville PA.</p>
<p>In fact, the viewbook I just hauled off our shelf says "if you want to apply to music programs offered through WCC of RIDER UNIVERSITY, contact WCC directly at...."</p>
<p>I'm sure it is just a simple mistake in the post above, but Rider University and Westminster Choir College are in NJ, not PA. Westminster is associated with Rider. Their website refers to it as "Westminster Choir Collge of Rider University." </p>
<p>LIke Chris mentioned, the acting part is done on the Rider campus. The degree is a BM in Musical Theater. The dance training is at Princeton Ballet School nearby.</p>
<p>Hi! I actually go to Westminster Choir College for MT, I'm a freshman. From what you described as a passion for music and music theory, kristensofie, you would love Westminster! :P There is a LOT of theory work, and theory history, and we're all required to take choir every year of school. However, the MT program is changing from Westminster to Rider, but the curriculum for now is staying the same. At Rider, there are better facilities, and more opportunities for performing. The acting for us doesn't take place at Rider, it's held right on campus for us, but next year I'm pretty sure the freshmen will take their classes on the Rider campus, except for choir and MT lab, and I'm assuming the theory classes, too.</p>
<p>The MT program is extremely music focused, because we have to take the same amount of theory as any other major on campus (including music ed and vocal performance). The dance portion of the major currently is weak, but I know that our current dance teacher is trying to change that. Even if it doesn't change, however, you can take extra classes at Princeton Ballet School, which is a very prestigious ballet school affiliated with the American Repertory Ballet. The acting in our program is also phenomenal. It's especially focused on the "singing actor," so we learn how to tell stories through our voices. The vocal technique is based on a classical technique, and we can't even belt until we're sophomores. It all depends on your voice teacher, but mine (Carolann Page, who's performed in both Broadway shows and Opera) is coaching my classical voice currently, but soon she'll help me learn how to belt healthily. </p>
<p>Everyone on the faculty is extremely knowledgeable, and the voice teachers are all fabulous. Sorry this post was so long, but I just wanted to give everyone some more information :P</p>