Bachelor of Music in Music Theater
The educational goals of the Bachelor of Music in Music Theater curriculum are:
- A degree from a respected professional music school;
- An uncompromisingly strong professional music training;
- Strong vocal and keyboard instruction;
- Strong theater and dance skills;
- An understanding of healthy vocalism;
- Choral ensemble experience of an unparalleled nature;
- The knowledge and education to choose music theater, traditional classical music venues, or theatrical venues as a career path upon graduation.
Music theater majors are offered two tracks: voice and piano. Prospective students are also encouraged to consider double majoring. Music theater and voice performance takes nine semesters, while music education takes five years. Earning a Music Theater Degree also consists of:
Music Theater Lab
Every semester, Music Theater majors are required to meet weekly attendance and participation requirements for Music Theater Lab. The lab supplements curricular instruction with presentations by invited artists, faculty seminars and master classes, and opportunities for students to interact with professionals in the field.
Dance Instruction
Ballet, tap, jazz dance, and the “Dance for the Performing Artist” courses are offered at the Princeton Ballet School. The “Body Awareness” course is taught on the Princeton campus.
Theater on Campus
Music theater majors must participate in backstage capacities and, following casting auditions, in a minimum of one major or supporting role onstage in a theatrical production offered for credit on the Princeton or Lawrenceville campus. The Princeton campus plans two music theater and two opera productions each academic year. On the Lawrenceville campus, three major productions, one of them a music theater work, are mounted annually at its extensively refurbished Yvonne Theater. A substantial discount is offered to Westminster students who join the non-credit Westminster Conservatory Actors Company, which stages several music theater productions annually.
