Comparison of the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees
The Music Theatre Program is a joint program of the School of Music and the School of Theatre with the assistance of the Department of Dance. As such, there are two tracks available to students who wish to become music theatre majors. ALL MUSIC THEATRE CLASSES ARE EXACTLY THE SAME IN BOTH TRACKS. Voice lessons, workshops, acting classes, movement, music theatre history, etc. are the same. Bachelor of Music students and Bachelor of Fine Arts students are in all of these classes together and are held to the same rigorous standards. The differences between B.M. in Music Theatre (through the School of Music) and the B.F.A. in Music Theatre (through the School of Theatre) lie mainly in the emphasis of the rest of the curriculum. In the School of Music (B.M. track) more emphasis is placed on the technical skills of piano and music theory and on music history. In addition, the students participate in choral ensembles and give a voice recital as part of their degree program. In the School of Theatre (B.F.A. track) more emphasis is placed on technical skills such as set construction, lighting, costumes, directing, and on theatre history. Bachelor of Music students tend to have some background in music already in the way of voice lessons and/or choral experience.

All Music Theatre applicants are seen at the same auditions. Therefore all students should apply through only one of the schools, not both. The same panel of people sees absolutely everyone.

If you have any further questions about which track is better for you, please feel free to contact Dr. Gayle Seaton, Program Director for the B.M. in Music Theatre at (850) 644-3447.