VP programs with MT Opportunities (not OCU or WCC)

bridgenail
Fri, 04 Dec 2015 16:15:29 +0000

I’ll comment on a few schools as many are in my area. Plus my D auditioned for VP and MT (ultimately going the VP route).

LACs - flexible
St. Olaf - great choirs - you can do choir, solo work and musical theatre here.

Lawrence - great choirs, opera work and acting - I don’t believe they do much MT - I think it’s more operetta if lighter - but check their website.

Luther - great choirs and solo/opera work - MT? Hmmm haven’t heard much about it there.

Concordia - choirs - I believe they do a variety of music as well but I’m not as familiar with their program.

University Conservatories - not as flexible
IU (where my D attended) - Music (which includes choirs) and MT are separate schools. If you are in the Music school you will be placed in a choir - however IU is not known as a strong choir school. It’s not part of their mission/fabric like at St. Olaf.

At IU (and I would guess schools like Michigan and USC), it is difficult to cross over to MT. They are separate - and the schools do not make an attempt to work together. Note, however, one of the 6 “operas” that IU does annually now is shifting over to MT (since opera has to survive financially). Last year was South Pacific and this year is Oklahoma! While it will probably never be Rent, they have been doing some of the classics of MT. Mainly opera students are cast in this. So maybe an opportunity.

If you like IU your D can also check out the BSOF degree in the music dept. My D was able to put Theatre as her OF (outside field) and participate in Theatre and MT classes. My D did no MT productions as she was always in the operas. It’s one thing to take some classes (possible), it’s quite different to be in a production (nearly impossible due to ensemble and performance conflicts bx the 2 schools). Still my D enjoyed the extra training in acting and MT - and did do the MT junior showcase.

I would advise looking closely at each schools’ website and check out the productions for the year. Then call and ask how easily it is to do work in all areas. If they don’t have a straight-forward answer (meaning a “yea some students do a little MT, I think”) that’s probably a no. If they answer it very straight forward with examples then I would take them at their word. Most LACs know it’s a competitive advantage. It just depends a bit on who answer the phone.

Hope this helps you.