Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Voice
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 area 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 KU School of Music Recruiting <musicrecruiting@ku.edu>, 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. This 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 will enter the School of Music directly after a successful audition. Students may transfer into the School of Music from other KU Schools or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 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 of the School of Music. Information and applications are available through the Office of Admissions and for international students they are available through the Office of International Admissions.
Transfer Students
Students may transfer to the School of Music 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, or PIAN 310 for students with keyboard/organ emphasis). 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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| Music Core Required Courses: | ||
| Music Theory Sequence | ||
| 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 |
| Music History Sequence | ||
| MUSC 320 | Music History I (fall only) | 3 |
| MUSC 340 | Music History II (spring only) | 3 |
| MUSC 360 | Music History III (fall only) | 3 |
| Conducting | ||
| COND 245 | Conducting I | 1 |
| Recital Attendance | ||
| REC 100 | Laboratory in Music Performance (2 semesters) | 0 |
| Theatre & Voice Required Courses: | ||
| Applied Lesson Sequence | ||
| 3.0 minimum GPA required | ||
| VOIC 121 | Voice (two semesters) | 4 |
| VOIC 221 | Voice (two semesters) | 4 |
| VOIC 622 | Voice (four semesters, final semester taken with 623) | 12 |
| Ensembles | ||
| Four semesters based on audition for major ensembles or major role in opera by petition | 4 | |
| Piano Skills Sequence | ||
| PIAN 144 | Elementary Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| PIAN 148 | Elementary Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| PIAN 284 | Intermediate Keyboard Skills I | 2 |
| Capstone | ||
| VOIC 623 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| Additional Theatre & Voice Required Courses: | ||
| VOIC 120 | Vocal Performance in English and Italian | 1 |
| One semster of either: | ||
| VOIC 405 | Vocal Literature I | 1 |
| Vocal Literature II | ||
| Two semesters of either: | 2 | |
| Opera Workshop | ||
| Opera Production | ||
| One semester of dance: | 2-3 | |
| Ballet I | ||
| Jazz I | ||
| Musical Theatre Dance | ||
| Tap Fundamentals | ||
| 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 |
| One semester of either: | 1-3 | |
| Directed Studies: _____ | ||
| Acting III | ||
| Popular Culture: _____ | ||
| Audition Techniques | ||
| Fundamentals of Directing | ||
| A Vocal Approach to the Classics | ||
| Language: two semesters of same language | 10 | |
| Music elective (ensemble recommended) | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 120-123 | |
Ensemble Policy
The Ensemble Policy applies to:
- All undergraduate students who enroll in any level of voice lessons.
- All undergraduate and master’s students who enroll in any level of lessons on a brass, jazz, percussion, piano, string, or woodwind instrument.
Applicable students must audition for and perform in a major ensemble, as assigned, on their primary instrument/voice each semester in which they are enrolled in lessons. Most music majors are required to enroll in one ensemble for 1 credit each semester. If a student chooses to enroll in additional ensembles beyond their degree requirements, they may enroll for zero credits. Except as noted below, exceptions to this policy are allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the major ensemble conductor, in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor and applied faculty member. Students who receive a music scholarship or a GTA position may have additional responsibilities regarding ensemble participation.
Major ensembles include: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band; Chamber Choir, KU Glee, Treble Choir, and University Singers; Jazz Ensemble I; and Symphony Orchestra. University Band, Oread Singers, Jazz Ensembles II and III, and Philharmonic Orchestra will satisfy this requirement only if the student is placed in those ensembles by audition.
BA-Composition and BA-Music Production & Technology majors: Jazz combos and other small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by either their applied faculty member and their faculty mentor (Composition) or the Director of Jazz and Commercial Music (MPT).
BM-Composition majors: Other ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by their faculty mentor (Composition).
BA-Performance (Piano) and BM-Performance (Piano) majors: Small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, with approval from the student’s faculty mentor, applied faculty member and the course instructor.
BFA-Theatre & Voice and BM-Performance (Voice) majors: Opera Production can satisfy this requirement, if the student accepts a major role in the production. This exception must be documented through a course substitution petition. As noted above, students may choose to enroll in additional ensembles.
BMT majors: Additional ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by the Area Coordinator for Music Therapy.
| 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.
Ensemble Policy
The Ensemble Policy applies to:
- All undergraduate students who enroll in any level of voice lessons.
- All undergraduate and master’s students who enroll in any level of lessons on a brass, jazz, percussion, piano, string, or woodwind instrument.
Applicable students must audition for and perform in a major ensemble, as assigned, on their primary instrument/voice each semester in which they are enrolled in lessons. Most music majors are required to enroll in one ensemble for 1 credit each semester. If a student chooses to enroll in additional ensembles beyond their degree requirements, they may enroll for zero credits. Except as noted below, exceptions to this policy are allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the major ensemble conductor, in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor and applied faculty member. Students who receive a music scholarship or a GTA position may have additional responsibilities regarding ensemble participation.
Major ensembles include: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band; Chamber Choir, KU Glee, Treble Choir, and University Singers; Jazz Ensemble I; and Symphony Orchestra. University Band, Oread Singers, Jazz Ensembles II and III, and Philharmonic Orchestra will satisfy this requirement only if the student is placed in those ensembles by audition.
BA-Composition and BA-Music Production & Technology majors: Jazz combos and other small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by either their applied faculty member and their faculty mentor (Composition) or the Director of Jazz and Commercial Music (MPT).
BM-Composition majors: Other ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by their faculty mentor (Composition).
BA-Performance (Piano) and BM-Performance (Piano) majors: Small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, with approval from the student’s faculty mentor, applied faculty member and the course instructor.
BFA-Theatre & Voice and BM-Performance (Voice) majors: Opera Production can satisfy this requirement, if the student accepts a major role in the production. This exception must be documented through a course substitution petition. As noted above, students may choose to enroll in additional ensembles.
BMT majors: Additional ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by the Area Coordinator for Music Therapy.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate performance skills appropriate to the student’s major and primary performing medium, including performing a broad range of repertoire, sight-reading, collaboration, conducting, and keyboard skills.
- Demonstrate elementary and intermediate skills in musicianship and music analysis.
- Demonstrate a basic capacity to compose or improvise original or derivative music.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time, including study and experience of musical language and achievement in addition to that of the primary culture encompassing the student’s major area.
- Demonstrate comprehensive capabilities in the student’s major performing medium and the ability to work independently to perform at the highest possible level in solo and ensemble settings.