MT/Theater with Music

jazzguitar · 05-08-2007, 06:42 PM

Does anybody know of any schools that allow for a performance based MT or just theater major along with a degree in music (specifically jazz comp)? I know that would be tough to pull off, but if you've come across anything or know of anything, let me know.

Thanks!

PATSY55 · 05-09-2007, 10:54 AM

If you mean a BM in music with an emphasis in MT. I would recommend
ASU (Arizona State) Herberger College of the ARts. Im not sure they would allow a double major in composition. The compostition dept. is extremely intense and VERY good.

PATSY55 · 05-09-2007, 10:56 AM

Let me correct that previous post. A BM in Voice with an empasis in MT.

mahm · 05-09-2007, 11:06 AM

You might check out NYU/Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. They have an extensive music program that includes jazz and musical theater. Don't know if you can combine the disciplines--here's their website:
http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/

Singersmom07 · 05-09-2007, 01:08 PM

Westminster Choir College (Rider University) allows a MT minor with a BM Voice major.

onstage · 05-09-2007, 02:57 PM

Also check out Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. They have several different options that combine music and MT.

jazzguitar · 05-09-2007, 03:30 PM

Thanks! To give you more info., I'm a jazz guitarist. I've acted and performed in theater all my life (leading role in school plays, community theater, which I know doesn't say a ton), and have also played guitar for a long time, with a lot of attention to that as well (all state jazz band guitarist last year, NEC prep program, etc...). The thing is, when I perform music, I don't often get that "rush" feeling, that tingly feeling all over my body thinking it's the most wonderful thing ever, when I perform on guitar. I'd much rather compose, but I need a strong composition department with good players.

I do get that feeling when I act and perform, specifically, but not limited to, in MT. I would pursue becoming a professional in the acting field while playwriting and composing music (I know that'd be a tough life, but I have to do what I love). I don't, though, think that I'm as good at performing in MT as I am on the guitar, but maybe that's because I'm really self critical of my voice. I would be happy in the end being a high school band director, although there aren't a lot of high school teaching jobs solely in theater.

I would prefer East Coast; I live in MA. I'll look into those suggestions. Thanks!

*KatMT* · 05-09-2007, 04:32 PM

What about Berkley College of Music in Boston? Not sure what the MT options are.. but there is certainly a lot of theatre and Musical Theatre in Boston.

Piano/MT Mom · 05-09-2007, 09:56 PM

University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre and Dance might be an option. It would require two auditions and at least an additional semester.

Indiana University and Ithaca College both have music degrees that allow for a minor in an outside field, which could be theatre. In addition to their audition-based BFAs in MT, Indiana allows a double major in music and theatre and Ithaca allows a minor in theatre.These would be four-year programs and both require music auditions. There are also 5-year dual degree programs, such as Oberlin, where you would have to be accepted by both the Conservatory of Music and the College of Arts and Sciences.

jazzguitar · 05-10-2007, 08:25 AM

IU and Umich sound great, but I don't know if they'd allow a dual major in two performance programs. They also only accept 10-20 kids each year in MT; I don't know how I compare to others around the nation.

Berklee has the consortium program so one can take classes at BoCo and Emerson; I don't know if that would be satisfying enough. Same with Oberlin, I don't know how great the performance opportunities are for an MT kid majoring in theater (at oberlin it's a ba, not bfa).

jazzguitar · 05-13-2007, 02:23 PM

Alright, after searching around here (I'm new to MT discussions), I think I have some form of a plan. I'll audition at places like Oberlin and NEC for jazz guitar, and then look into their dual degree programs (tufts/nec, oberlin college) for a possible BA in theater. I think I'll also go out for BFA programs which allow for academic study (specifically Michigan and Indiana, perhaps CMU and Umiami). Then I could pursue more theoretical studies in music while doing theater. I'll probably also apply to some ivy league schools like brown, princeton and columbia, all of which have good music programs and theater programs. Hopefully these options will give me sustenance with high level performance opportunities, while leaving plenty of doors open for the future.

Does that seem workable in your more experienced minds?

*KatMT* · 05-13-2007, 02:39 PM

That looks like a plan! The one thing to check into... CMU... I do not think that BFA students are encouraged to pursue academic study outside of the major.

jazzguitar · 05-13-2007, 04:20 PM

Yes you're right; I'm sometimes getting some of the programs mixed up as I've just started to look a them...

BWMT09 · 05-13-2007, 04:27 PM

Baldwin Wallace has both programs and allows you to double major in both. If you have questions PM me

lynnm · 05-14-2007, 07:25 AM

For U of Miami, I would look into their School of Music Program. They have two MT programs, but the School of Music's, obviously, offers a more theory based curriculum.