Department of Opera & Musical Theatre (2024)

FAQs

Is the Manhattan School of Music hard to get into? ›

This means that out of all students who apply to attend the Manhattan School of Music, around 30% are generally offered admission. Competition for admission is intense, as the Manhattan School of Music seeks to admit the most musically gifted and dedicated applicants to its programs.

Operas are primarily sung with no spoken dialogue while most musicals intersperse songs with spoken dialogue. The “classical” singing style in opera has remained virtually unchanged since its inception, while singing in musicals evolves based upon popular music.

“Montclair State was the right choice for me because of the exceptional musical theatre training, nurturing environment, as well as its proximity to New York City and all the opportunities the city has to offer. There's no question that I made the right decision.”

If you happen to go to the opera one night, you are bound to stumble upon any one of the five most common types of opera still performed today in opera houses around the world. They are: Opera seria, opera buffa, opera semiseria, opéra comique, and grand opéra.

Academically, both schools maintain a high-standard music education with exceptional faculty members. While Juilliard has a more prestigious reputation, you'll still receive an outstanding education and strong connections in the industry at MSM.

Curtis Institute of Music

Curtis is likely the most selective conservatory in the country. Live auditions are required, and only four to 11 percent of applicants are accepted each year.

It is a musical best classified as a megamusical due to its lack of dialogue and European style. It could be classified as a pop opera rather than megamusical for this very reason, but it uses vocal techniques similar to musical theater and pop singers rather than operatic training despite its classical composition.

While many Broadway stars study classical and operatic technique, the vocal styles used in each are hugely different from one another.

An American Musical

From its opening, Hamilton received near-universal acclaim. It premiered off-Broadway on February 17, 2015, at the Public Theater in Lower Manhattan, with Miranda playing the role of Alexander Hamilton, where its several-month engagement was sold out.

Which college has the best musical theater program? ›

A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in musical theater is a 4-year performing arts degree consisting of courses in singing, dancing and acting for the stage.

Metropolitan Opera House, NYC.

Opera seria definition: As the name suggests, opera seria is serious opera that focuses on more weighty or historical subjects and usually ends in tragedy.

GPA. MSM's recommended minimum GPA is 3.0 or its equivalent.

With a GPA of 3.63, Manhattan College requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's.

The acceptance rate at Manhattan College is 82.3%.

In other words, of 100 students who apply, 82 are admitted. This means the school is not selective.

Classical Audition Requirements

The objective is to demonstrate the applicant's level of proficiency, both musically and technically. Memorization is required for all students, with the exception of woodwinds and brass.