Theatre and Voice
The Division of Voice offers 2 programs (Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music) 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 Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre and Voice degree requires 124 credits. Students will be studying 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
First-year students should enter the school directly. 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) 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 Recruitment and Undergraduate Admissions for information about international admissions.
Students who wish to major in music must audition. All music 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. Music audition information and application forms are available online. 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.
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. Music audition information and application forms are available online. 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.
Music Theory Placement
The music theory placement examination is required of all undergraduate transfer students who have not completed a 4-semester theory sequence with an accredited NASM school. It is administered as announced on the School of Music website each semester.
B.F.A. Degree Requirements for the Theatre and Voice Major
A total of 124 hours is required, distributed as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Theory | ||
| MTHC 105 | Theory I | 3 |
| MTHC 106 | Aural Skills I | 1 |
| MTHC 115 | Theory II | 3 |
| MTHC 116 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
| MTHC 205 | Theory III | 4 |
| MTHC 315 | Theory IV | 4 |
| Musicology | ||
| MUSC 320 | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSC 340 | Music History II | 3 |
| MUSC 440 | Music History III | 3 |
| MUSC 480 | Music History IV | 3 |
| Theatre and Voice Major Courses | ||
| VOIC 120 | Vocal Performance in English | 1 |
| Applied music lessons: 8 semesters each for 3 credits, plus junior and senior recitals | 25 | |
| VOIC 270 | Lyric Diction for Singers: _____ | 1 |
| VOIC 470 | Lyric Diction for Singers: _____ | 1 |
| VOIC 405 | Vocal Literature I | 2 |
| or VOIC 406 | Vocal Literature II | |
| 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 |
| THR 310 | Musical Performance for the Actor II | 3 |
| THR 313 | Movement II: Physical Characterization | 3 |
| Theatre elective from the following: | 3 | |
| Acting III | ||
| Popular Culture: _____ | ||
| Audition Techniques | ||
| Musical Performance for the Actor III | ||
| Fundamentals of Directing | ||
| A Vocal Approach to the Classics | ||
| Ensembles: 4 semesters each for credit | 4 | |
| Piano (proficiency level of PIAN 284) | 3 | |
| COND 245 | Conducting I | 2 |
| REC 100 | Laboratory in Music Performance ((4 semesters)) | 0 |
| Basic Courses | ||
| Foreign language: 2 semesters of same language | 10 | |
| ENGL 101 | Composition (or any course that fulfills GE21) | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Reading and Writing (or any course that fulfills GE22) | 3 |
| COMS 130 | Speaker-Audience Communication (or any course that fulfills GE22) | 3 |
| MATH 101 | College Algebra (or any course that fulfills GE12) | 3 |
| Natural Science: any course that fulfills GE3N | 3 | |
| Social Science: any course that fulfills GE3S | 3 | |
| Ethics: any course that Fulfills AE51 or AE52 | 3 | |
| Electives (music or non-music) | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
View the requirements for the Bachelor of Music program in voice.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 | 3 | ENGL 102 | 3 |
| 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 | 3 | VOIC 121 | 3 |
| VOIC 120 | 1 | GERM 108 or ITAL 120: continue same language | 5 |
| GERM 104 or ITAL 110: Two semesters required in same language | 5 | Ensemble | 1 |
| Ensemble | 1 | ||
| 18 | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| COMS 130 | 3 | MTHC 315 | 4 |
| MTHC 205 | 4 | MUSC 340 | 3 |
| MUSC 320 | 3 | REC 100 | 0 |
| PIAN 284 | 2 | VOIC 221 | 3 |
| REC 100 | 0 | VOIC 470 | 1 |
| VOIC 221 | 3 | FREN, GERM or ITAL, 2 of 3 req'd | |
| Ensemble | 1 | Ensemble | 1 |
| THR 106 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 440 | 3 | MUSC 480 | 3 |
| VOIC 622 | 3 | VOIC 622 | 3 |
| VOIC 470 | 1 | COND 245 | 2 |
FREN, GERM or ITAL 2 of 3 req'd | THR 210 | 3 | |
| THR 206 | 3 | THR 313 | 3 |
| THR 212 | 3 | MATH 101 | 3 |
| THR 213 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| VOIC 622 | 3 | VOIC 622 | 3 |
| THR 310 | 3 | VOIC 623 | 1 |
| Natural Science: any course that fulfills GE3N | 3 | VOIC 406 | 2 |
| Ethics: any course that fulfills AE51 or AE52 | 3 | If did not take VOIC 405 last fall | |
| THR elective: See list on degree sheet | 3 | ||
| Social Science: any course that fulfills GE3S | 3 | ||
| 12 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 123 | |||