Conservatory or university?

Question

so I've been thinking lately that I'd like to major in some kind of vocal performance, specifically musical theatre and opera. are there any programs that emphasize both?

or what would help me most in getting jobs in those fields?

and what is the best way to go about getting a degree in musical theatre/opera? a conservatory or a university?

thanks!

Answer 1

NYU school of musical theatre.  broadway girls usually don't have a chance unless theyve gone to college/university.  I strongly recommend NYU.  University is probably more along your lines.  conservatories wouldnt have as much for musical theatre i should think

Answer 2

I don't know which would be the best degree for vocal performance, but I do know that making a living singing is very difficult.  If you also get a teaching certificate in music you would have something to support yourself with while you pursue your dream

Answer 3

Straight to the point:

If you want a degree and want a concentrated education in your music dicipline.....  you will have to go to both anyway.  Conservatories do not provide a college degree.

Answer 4

Wow, you know what? I almost NEVER agree with Megaman but this time I am. I just graduated in piano performance and music education and I can tell you that in many conservatories, musical theatre is disregarded and at times even frowned upon. NYU is an excellent school if you can get in for musical theatre. Other schools will want to train you in the Western tradition (classically) and it is a completely different style, although several of my friends went to conservatory to be classically trained only to study musical theatre now.

You mentioned you are interested in opera. If this is your major area of focus, I would definitely go to a conservatory. While NYU is highly regarded in terms of musical theater, music business and production etc, it is not a top school in terms of classical training. Juilliard or Manhattan school  of music would be much better for you in that area.

Do you have music theory and aural training? I don't know about musical theatre requirements, but for any conservatory audition (if you are invited), you will have to take both a music theory proficiency test, and an aural (ear-training) test.

You seem to combine musical theatre/opera and I don't think that's a very good thing to do. My school (Boston) didn't even have any musical theatre programs, but had an opera institute. Most vocal programs will require certain semesters of theory, music history, ear-training, private voice lessons, vocal pedagogy, and song-literature classes (this is the basic general requirement for any music degree--just substitute "vocal" with the appropriate instrument). Vocal performance majors (along with every other major) are required to give recitals and master classes in order to graduate with a performance degree.

No matter what you decide to do, I would advise you to look at schools in the northeast (i.e. NYU, Juilliard, Manhattan school of music, Boston Conservatory, New England conservatory, Berklee college of music) as these are typically "musicial meccas" and you will be exposed to the fields in every posibble facet.

Break a leg!