<p>I’m new to this forum and hope someone out there can help me with a very specific request – my daughter is hoping to major in either theatre or vocal music (ideally, she would like the opportunity to do both) and wants to remain close (within an hour or so) to home (St. Paul/Minneapolis). Any recommendations for colleges? Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>Your best advice for the performance/creative disciplines is the specific dedicated subforums. Your best bet is here [Musical</a> Theater Major - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/]Musical”>Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums), as musical theater encompasses both aspects, as well as dance. You’ll get the insights of those familiar with some of the multi-disciplinary options.
There’s also a theater/drama and a music major forum, but I’d try the mt folks first.</p>
<p>St. Olaf is very well known for its music and art programs. If you go to its specific forum, you’ll be able to find out a lot of information from students and others looking into it. (Remember to change the “display options” at the bottom of the page to “number of replies” and “beginning” for the best results.)</p>
<p>If she’s willing to venture a little farther, Luther College (in Iowa) attracts many of the same kids as St. Olaf; meaning, there are many students traveling to the Twin Cities on breaks/weekends.</p>
<p>I literally just visited St. Olaf. Great music program, looks like a great choir program. I would look into Hamline and Ausburg. I live in the cities here and have always heard good things about those two. Besides that, St. Olaf looks great.</p>
<p>Check out the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program. It’s an intensive four-year undergrad program leading to a BFA degree, combining theater classes at the U with hands-on actor training at the renowned Guthrie Theater, widely regarded as one of the best “regional” (non-New York) theater companies in the country.</p>
<p>St. Olaf has a main focus on choral music, which is not what a lot of vocalists want. I would look at Lawrence U in Wisconsin, even though it is not in MN.</p>