Indiana University MT BFA Program - Page 3

kedstuff · 10-06-2006, 09:08 AM

Here is the link they have sent to those who sent emails over the past few months: http://www.indiana.edu/~thtr/academi...famusical.html

soozievt · 10-06-2006, 09:20 AM

It is good to learn that the BFA program is in place. Looking at the curriculum, it seems odd, unless I am reading it wrong, that there are not voice classes (I mean singing type, not voice for acting), vocal technique, vocal performance, or private voice lessons mentioned. Something to explore further. Perhaps they are piecing together existing classes but not creating new ones for the new program?

NotMamaRose · 10-06-2006, 09:29 AM

Soozievt, you are right! The web page laying out the curriculum seems to neglect to mention voice/singing lessons, either group or private! They did say, early on the page, that kids will find further opportunities at the School of Music; could they mean that those who wish to study singing (and I would think that includes every student who aspires to be an MT performer!

) has to seek out private voice lessons on her own?
It must be an oversight.
Can anyone address this?
It defies credulity that a BFA program in musical theater would not include voice/singing.

soozievt · 10-06-2006, 09:57 AM

It also only has three years of acting and only one course in voice/speech. They have musical theater workshop and so it is hard to go by course titles. Doesn't seem to list much in the way of vocal classes, technique, voice lessons and all that, a huge chunk in most BFA in MT programs.

As always, when people are exploring BFA programs, they need to examine the curricula as it varies quite a bit from program to program. Some have just one dance class a semester for instance. Others have ballet, jazz and tap every semester. Some have private voice every semester, some don't. Some have music theory for only one year and some have much more. Some just touch on voice/speech (acting) and some have that all the way through. Some have acting every semester, some have just a few courses in it. So, examine, examine, examine everything about each program and compare and shoot for which meets your personal needs and preferences.

PS...NMR...private voice lessons are not the only thing I didn't see. I know in my kid's BFA in MT program, there are classes related to singing every semester as well...such as Vocal Technique, Vocal Performance, etc. I do see the following TWO courses:
"Voice for Musical Theatre - T326
Musical Theatre Workshop - T300"
Those may involve singing, but that is just TWO courses in 8 semesters?

The "further opportunities in the Music Dept" which you refer to seem to be in the context of a statement about production opportunities, not required courses for the BFA degree.

I'm only raising questions to explore, not meaning there is anything wrong with the program. I recommend Indiana to students all the time and my girls have a good friend who goes there in this field (pre-BFA program, however).

CA Griffin · 11-07-2006, 02:36 PM

bump for PantheMan22

kenmarksnj · 11-08-2006, 07:45 AM

I auditioned at IU for the BFA program this past weekend. There WILL be weekly private voice lessons. The curriculum they've listed is pretty general as compared to what it will actually be. For instance, the dance classes will be leveled off within the dance program, they will not be only with the musical theatre students. Also, what i really like about the program, it is pretty much 50% liberal arts and 50% performing arts. we were told this weekend that we have to take i believe it's 4 semesters of math, 4 semesters of science, 6 semesters of english and at least 1 semester of foreign language. i forget what the history requirement was.

IU is definitely at the top of my list. At the audition this weekend, George Pinney and the rest of the team was just so encouraging. At UMich, CCM, and CMU, they know they have the best programs already, and they're extremely cut throat and competitive, even at the BFA auditions. At IU, they just wanted to see everyone do their best and hopefully achieve something during the audition.

AND if you haven't been to bloomington, it's worth making the trip for the audition. BEAUTIFUL.

notfromme · 11-08-2006, 10:27 AM

How exciting that IU is offering BFA MT...finally! We looked at the school two years ago, and were told they were working on it for this year...and it is happening. I believe this will be one of the top programs immediately...since their reputation in music and drama is already highly respected. Afterall, who doesn't associate music with IU?
As far as campuses....you are rightkenmarksnj...it is one of the most beautiful campuses you will see. I am an IU grad. It is very hard to look at other campuses when you have IU Bloomington as a comparison!!
Good luck to all. I am going to keep watching this for news on the program.

PantheMan22 · 11-08-2006, 09:24 PM

I just auditioned at IU for the BFA MT program last Saturday. I must say it was quite an amazing experience. The campus was breath-taking, and the theater facilities in particular far surpassed those of many other schools I have visited. The students were all very helpful and enthusiastic about the program and faculty. My parents were also quite impressed by the presentation and tour that they were given so much as to say it was possibly the best they had seen (and we have visited a LOT of schools).

The audition was also very relaxed - Pinney and the others were sure to make us feel comfortable and know that we were in a safe place.

I also just saw their production of "Urinetown" and I gotta tell you... they've got a lot of talent there!!

Song4U · 11-08-2006, 11:48 PM

My D also auditioned at IU this past weekend, and we had a similar very positive experience. She loved the whole audition process, the campus, the facilitites, and thought that George Pinney was very encouraging and approachable, as were the rest of his staff. She was also relieved to find out that there would be private weekly voice lessons, by a professor hired strictly for the BFA-MT students. We too have visited several of the top "name" schools, and were equally impressed with this new program.

Good luck to both of you with the letter that will be coming very soon!

kenmarksnj · 11-09-2006, 05:48 AM

Thank you... I'm hoping it comes by Friday afternoon because I'm going to Pittsburgh on Saturday and won't be back 'til monday. Oh the anxiety!

Good luck to your daughter as well.

LocoMom · 11-09-2006, 10:11 AM

Do they pick people from each audition? I thought they were only taking 10 or 12 people for the whole program.

kenmarksnj · 11-09-2006, 10:32 AM

They are. However, they might see a student that they definitely want in their program.

LocoMom · 11-09-2006, 10:36 AM

They need to wait till they see my d Feb 3rd, lol.

PantheMan22 · 11-10-2006, 11:28 AM

Yeah, we just got e-mails saying that they were sending out letters the end of this week. We'll get a "yes, we want you", a "we are considering you, but we need to see everyone else first", or a "we would like to suggest our BA theater program".

I'm a little worried, because I didn't think I was going to need to think about it again until March. Yikes!

Ericsmom · 11-11-2006, 01:51 AM

I'm glad to hear the IU BFA auditions went well. We were very impressed with the school when it was just a BA under the theatre dept., the show we saw there was wonderful, and the theatre facilities and campus were beautiful - some of the very best we saw anywhere.