Program Overview

The musical theatre program provides students with a solid training in preparation for a career in the professional theatre. Students take classes in movement, voice, singing (both musical theatre and classical) dance (jazz, tap, ballet, modern and musical theatre dance), piano, music theory and various acting styles and techniques.  Students are also given opportunities to hone their skills as performers within experimental productions, performances as part of classroom work and the annual musical.

Vocal Music Concentration

The Concentration in Vocal Music is intended for students pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre (Theatre Department) who seek to further develop their versatility as an artist by taking additional courses in music theory, piano lab, vocal pedagogy, vocal literature, and participation in a vocal ensemble (choral or opera). Students accepted into the Concentration will strengthen musicianship skills including the ability to learn music quickly and efficiently on their own, gain a more comprehensive knowledge of classical vocal literature, and develop the diverse skill set necessary to be marketable as a well-rounded musical theatre performer.

Prior to registration, students desiring a Concentration in Vocal Music must have successfully completed two semesters of study as a BFA Musical Theatre Major. Interested applicants should email Voice Area faculty Dr. Cravero, & Prof. Leanne Freeman Miller to arrange for an audition or to obtain permission to submit an audio or video recording in lieu of an on-campus audition. The cap for acceptance is two students per year.  Applicants must receive the approval of the Music and Theatre Departments following the required audition.

Note: Students pursuing a BM Voice Performance degree (Music Department) who are interested in a Concentration in Musical Theatre should review requirements here.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MUS 001	MATERIALS OF MUSIC I	3
MUS 002	MATERIALS OF MUSIC I	1
MUS 003	MATERIALS OF MUSIC II	3
MUS 004	MATERIALS OF MUSIC II	1
MUS 140	VOCAL LITERATURE	2
MUS 154	VOCAL PEDAGOGY	2
Select one of the following groups of courses: 1		2
MUS 006 & MUS 007	PIANO LABORATORY I and PIANO LABORATORY II
MUS 049 & MUS 050	PIANO LABORATORY III and PIANO LABORATORY IV
MUS 170	PIANO
Select two credits of the following ensembles: 2		2
MUS 149	DRAKE CHOIR
MUS 169	OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
Total Hours		16

¹

Students may be placed within the piano laboratory sequence based on a piano proficiency examination given following their acceptance into the Concentration in Vocal Music. Students who successfully complete portions of the piano proficiency will be placed appropriately in the laboratory sequence. Students who pass the competency test will only be required to complete two semesters of MUS 170 PIANO

²

Students may choose to audition for the same ensemble if desired.