Theatre and Voice
The Division of Voice offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) for singers interested in art song, opera, oratorio, concert, other classical pieces or vocal teaching. Students receive training in vocal technique, languages and diction, vocal repertoire, acting and the theatrical arts. Performance opportunities range from workshops to fully staged productions, allowing students to develop their talents at the most beneficial pace.
The B.F.A. in Theatre and Voice degree requires 121 credits (45 at the Jr/Sr level 300+). Students will study with faculty members who are nationally and internationally recognized. Courses in music theory and musicology are part of the in-depth exploration of music as well as performing a junior recital and a senior recital.
With this degree, students can go on to pursue graduate studies in music, establish private studios, audition for theatre/musical productions, or create their own path in music or music-related endeavors.
The School of Music
The School of Music at the University of Kansas ranks among the finest in America, offering comprehensive programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
The school nurtures and advances the art of music through creation, performance, scholarly inquiry, entrepreneurship, and enhancement of the artistic skills and experiences of the university and regional cultural communities.
The school is a major contributor to the arts community through the student, faculty, and professional performances in Swarthout Recital Hall, Bales Organ Recital Hall, the Robert Baustian Theatre, and the Lied Center of Kansas.
The School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The entrance and graduation requirements in this catalog conform to the published guidelines of that organization.
Undergraduate Admission to the School of Music
Students who wish to major in music must audition. All students academically approved for admission to the School of Music are admitted contingent upon demonstration by audition of satisfactory level proficiency in their areas of applied music. Further information about specific applied music areas can be found on the School of Music's Audition Information website; if you do not see your particular area of study listed there, please contact the Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator to inquire about availability. Music audition and application information is available on the School of Music website. There is a limit of two times a prospective student may request an audition for entrance into one of the School's undergraduate degree programs. The second request must be within 12 months of the first and may be as early as 1 month following the first audition. The limitation also applies to students within the School auditioning from one program into another.
First-year and current KU students
Once admitted academically, first-year students should enter the School of Music directly after a successful audition. Students may transfer to the School from other KU Schools or the College if they have at least a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and are eligible to return to the college or university last attended in addition to completing a successful audition. Other students can be admitted only with the permission of the dean. Send applications to the Office of Admissions. Visit the Office of International Admissions for information about international admissions.
Transfer Students
Students may transfer to the school from other institutions or from other KU Schools if they have at least a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), are eligible to return to the college or university last attended and complete a successful audition. Only grades of C or higher are accepted in transfer credit toward degrees offered by the School of Music. Students who wish to transfer performance credit from another institution toward any music degree at KU must validate this credit by audition.
Keyboard Skills Placement Examination:
If a student has a background in keyboard playing, they may choose to take one or more Piano Quiz-Out tests. Successfully passing a Quiz-Out will exempt a student from having to take a particular class in the PIAN sequence (PIAN 144, PIAN 148, PIAN 284, and PIAN 310). Students should check with their advisor about how this will impact their particular degree requirements.
Freshmen and transfer students with no previous piano study experience should enroll in PIAN 144. No examination or permission number is necessary. Students should check with their advisor about their particular degree requirements.
More information about the Keyboard Skills Placement Examination including deadlines is available on the School of Music website.
B.F.A. Degree Requirements for the Theatre and Voice Major
A total of 120 hours (45 at the Jr/Sr level 300+) is required.
Music Core Required Courses
Music Core Courses require 24 hours as follows:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| MTHC 105 | Theory I (fall only) | 3 |
| MTHC 106 | Aural Skills I (fall only) | 1 |
| MTHC 115 | Theory II (spring only) | 3 |
| MTHC 116 | Aural Skills II (spring only ) | 1 |
| MTHC 205 | Theory III (fall only) | 3 |
| MTHC 315 | Theory IV (spring only ) | 3 |
| |
| MUSC 320 | Music History I (fall only) | 3 |
| MUSC 340 | Music History II (spring only) | 3 |
| MUSC 360 | Music History III (fall only) | 3 |
| COND 245 | Conducting I | 1 |
| REC 100 | Laboratory in Music Performance (2 semesters) | 0 |
| Total Hours | 24 |
Theatre and Voice Major Courses
Additional courses required for a B.F.A. in Theatre and Voice:
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| VOIC 121 | Voice (two senesters) | 4 |
| VOIC 221 | Voice (two semesters) | 4 |
| VOIC 622 | Voice (four semesters, final semester taken with 623) | 12 |
| 4 |
| PIAN 144 | Elementary Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| PIAN 148 | Elementary Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| PIAN 284 | Intermediate Keyboard Skills I | 2 |
| VOIC 623 | Senior Recital (Capstone) | 1 |
| VOIC 120 | Vocal Performance in English and Italian (and Italian Diction) | 1 |
| |
| VOIC 405 | Vocal Literature I | 1 |
| or VOIC 406 | Vocal Literature II |
| |
| VOIC 490 | Opera Workshop | 2 |
| or VOIC 492 | Opera Production |
| 2-3 |
| Ballet I (2 credits) (OR) | |
| Jazz I (2 credits) (OR) | |
| Musical Theatre Dance (3 credits) (OR) | |
| Tap Fundamentals (3 credits) | |
| THR 106 | Acting I | 3 |
| THR 206 | Acting II | 3 |
| THR 210 | Musical Performance for the Actor I | 3 |
| THR 212 | Beginning Voice and Speech for Actors | 3 |
| THR 213 | Movement I: The Acting Instrument | 3 |
| 1-3 |
| Directed Studies: _____ (Alexander Techniques, 1 credit) (OR) | |
| Acting III (3 credits) (OR) | |
| Popular Culture: _____ (3 credits) (OR) | |
| Audition Techniques (3 credits) (OR) | |
| Fundamentals of Directing (3 credits) (OR) | |
| A Vocal Approach to the Classics (3 credits) | |
| 10 |
| 1 |
| Total Hours | 62-65 |
| Freshman |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| MTHC 105 | 3 | MTHC 115 | 3 |
| MTHC 106 | 1 | MTHC 116 | 1 |
| PIAN 144 | 1 | PIAN 148 | 1 |
| REC 100 | 0 | REC 100 | 0 |
| VOIC 121 (First of 8 semesters of lessons) | 2 | VOIC 121 | 2 |
| Ensemble by audition CHOR, etc. | 1 | Ensemble by audition CHOR, etc. | 1 |
| VOIC 120 (and Italian) | 1 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | GERM 108 or ITAL 120: continue same language | 5 |
| GERM 104 or ITAL 110: Two semesters required in same language | 5 | |
| | 17 | | 16 |
| Sophomore |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| MTHC 205 | 3 | MTHC 315 | 3 |
| MUSC 320 | 3 | MUSC 340 | 3 |
| PIAN 284 | 2 | VOIC 221 | 2 |
| VOIC 221 | 2 | Ensemble by audition CHOR, etc. | 1 |
| Ensemble by audition CHOR, etc. | 1 | Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 |
| Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE)030 | 3 | THR 106 | 3 |
| | 14 | | 15 |
| Junior |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| VOIC 622 | 3 | VOIC 622 | 3 |
| MUSC 360 | 3 | THR 210 | 3 |
| THR 206 | 3 | VOIC 405 or 406 (VOIC 406 should be taken Senior year spring semester) | 1 |
| THR 212 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)040 | 4 | Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| | 16 | | 13 |
| Senior |
|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| VOIC 622 | 3 | VOIC 622 | 3 |
| VOIC 490 or 492 (2 semesters minimum to earn 2 credits total) | 1 | VOIC 623 (capstone) | 1 |
| COND 245 | 1 | VOIC 490 or 492 (2 semesters minimum to earn 2 credits total) | 1 |
| Music elective, ensemble recommended | 1 | VOIC 406 (if VOIC 405 not taken Junior year spring semester) | |
| THR 213 | 3 | Elective: See list on degree sheet | 1 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | Dance Elective: See list on degree sheet | 2 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 |
| | Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| | 15 | | 14 |
| Total Hours 120 |
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.
