Musical Theatre Minor

Program Overview

The Musical Theatre minor at York College of Pennsylvania provides students with a foundation in musical theatre history, acting, and music reading skills. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, students develop their vocal and stage performance abilities and gain valuable stage experience through participation in live musical theatre productions. The program prepares students for careers in musical theatre performance, music theatre education, arts administration, and music therapy.

Program Outline

Musical Theatre Minor at York College of Pennsylvania

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Musical Theatre minor is designed for students who are interested in musical theatre and want to enhance their skills in this area.
• Objectives:
• To provide students with a foundation in musical theatre history, acting, and music reading skills.
• To offer students the opportunity to develop their vocal and stage performance skills through private applied voice lessons and participation in live musical theatre productions.
• Description: The program emphasizes a hands-on approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
Students will gain a strong understanding of the history and development of musical theatre while honing their acting, singing, and music reading abilities. They will also have the opportunity to apply their skills in actual musical theatre productions, gaining valuable stage experience.

Outline:

• Content: The minor consists of 18 credits covering various aspects of musical theatre, including history, acting, music theory and musicianship, vocal training, and stage performance.
• Structure: The program is divided into required courses and elective workshops/practicums.
• Required Courses:
• MUS 181 Foundations of Music Theory and Musicianship (3 credits)
• MUS 296 History of Musical Theatre (3 credits)
• THE 150 Movement for the Stage (3 credits)
• THE 215 Acting (3 credits)
• Applied Voice Lessons (3 semesters of 1 credit or 6 semesters of .5 credit)
• Elective Workshops/Practicums (3 credits):
• Students can choose from a variety of workshops and practicums offered by the Music and Theatre departments.
These may include:
• MUS 154/155 Musical Theatre Workshop (1 credit)
• MUS 254/255 Musical Theatre Workshop (1 credit)
• MUS 354/355 Musical Theatre Workshop (1 credit)
• MUS 454/455 Musical Theatre Workshop (1 credit)
• THE 152/153 Theatre Practicum (1 credit)
• THE 252/253 Theatre Practicum (1 credit)
• THE 352/353 Theatre Practicum (1 credit)
• Course Schedule: The specific course schedule for the minor varies each semester.
Students should consult the college catalog for the most up-to-date information.

Assessment:

• The program utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:
• Examinations:
Exams are used to assess students' understanding of theoretical concepts and knowledge.
• Performances: Students are evaluated on their performance skills in workshops, practicums, and full-fledged productions.
• Assignments: Students complete assignments such as essays, projects, and presentations to demonstrate their understanding of the material and their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.
• The specific assessment criteria and weighting may vary depending on the course and instructor.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by experienced faculty members from the Music and Theatre departments.
These faculty members have extensive experience in musical theatre performance, pedagogy, and research.
• The program emphasizes a student-centered approach, focusing on individual growth and development.
• The program utilizes various teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, workshops, individual instruction, and rehearsals.

Careers:

• The Musical Theatre minor can prepare students for various careers in the performing arts, including:
• Musical theatre performer:
Students can pursue careers as actors, singers, and dancers in professional musical theatre productions.
• Music theatre educator: Students can teach music and theatre in schools or other educational settings.
• Arts administrator: Students can work in administrative roles for theatres, arts organizations, or educational institutions.
• Music therapist: Students can use music to help individuals with physical, emotional, or cognitive disabilities.

Other:

• The Musical Theatre minor is a valuable addition to any major at York College.
It provides students with the opportunity to explore their passion for musical theatre while developing valuable skills that can be applied to a variety of careers.
• The program encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities such as student productions, theatre clubs, and music ensembles.
This allows students to further develop their skills and gain valuable experience in a collaborative environment.
• The program fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where students can learn and grow together.