Specializations
The Departments of Music and Theater and Dance collaborate to provide a stimulating curriculum including courses in acting, singing and dance taught by faculty in both departments. Students at SIUE take advantage of performance opportunities in musicals, operas, operettas, plays, vocal ensembles, dance concerts and student organizations. In addition, SIUE is minutes from downtown St. Louis, a thriving artistic community with many additional performing opportunities.
Musical theater thrives at SIUE in the summer months as well. Every summer, SIUE Summer Showbiz produces professionally cast musicals under the direction of SIUE faculty. The Department of Music also hosts a week-long Musical Theater Workshop in the summer. The workshop provides participants with an in-depth experience of professional musical theater training in voice, dance, audition technique and monologue selection.
Students specializing in musical theater are trained in the central principles and performance skills necessary for a career in the theater or entertainment industry. These skills are then developed and cultivated through performance opportunities. Career possibilities include working as an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director or fine arts teacher.
Sample Curriculum for the Bachelor of Music, Specialization in Musical Theater
Year 1 (Fall Semester)
(1) MUS 121A Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125A Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126A Aural Skills
(2) MUS 140Q Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) DANC 114 Movement Fundamentals (EH)
(3) ENG 101 English Composition I
(3) QR 101 Quantitative Reasoning, MATH 150 or higher
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(1) FST 101 Succeeding & Engaging at SIUE
18 - Total Credits
Year 1 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 121B Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(3) MUS 125B Theory (BFPA)
(1) MUS 126B Aural Skills
(2) MUS 140Q Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(3) ENG 102 English Composition II
(3) ACS 101 Public Speaking
(3) RA 101 Reasoning and Argumentation
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
17 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Fall Semester)
(1) MUS 221A Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(4) MUS 225A Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367A History of Music II (BHUM, EGC)
(2) MUS 240Q Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(2) DANC 210A Beginning Modern Dance (EH)
(3) THEA 112A Introduction to Acting
(0) THEA 199 Theater Production Elective
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
15 - Total Credits
Year 2 (Spring Semester)
(1) MUS 221B Class Piano (or Proficiency)
(4) MUS 225B Theory (BFPA)
(2) MUS 367B History of Music III (BHUM, EGC)
(2) MUS 240Q Applied Lessons
(1) MUS Major Ensemble
(2) DANC 211A Beginning Ballet (EH)
(3) THEA 112B Creating a Role
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
15 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Fall Semester)
(2) MUS 340Q Applied Lessons
(2) MUS 139A Diction
(1) MUS 342 Musical Theater Ensemble
(3) Theater Elective
(1) DANC 212A Jazz Dance
(1) DANC 213 Beginning Tap Dance
(4) FL 101 Elementary Foreign Language I (BICS)
(0) THEA 199 Theater Production Elective
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
14 - Total Credits
Year 3 (Spring Semester)
(2) MUS 340Q Applied Lessons
(1) MUS 343 Seminar in Audition Techniques
(3) Theater Elective
(1) DANC 212B Advanced Jazz
(4) FL 102 Elementary Foreign Language II (EGC)
(4) Breadth Physical Science (BPS)/Lab Experience (EL)
(0) MUS 100
15 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Fall Semester)
(2) MUS 440Q Applied Lessons
(1) MUS 342 Musical Theater Ensemble
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(1) DANC 314 Broadway Styles
(3) THEA 392 American Musical Theater (EUSC)
(3) Breadth Social Science (BSS)
(3) Breadth Life Science (BLS)
(3) Music Elective
16 - Total Credits
Year 4 (Spring Semester)
(2) MUS 440Q Applied Lessons
(1) MUS 342 Musical Theater Ensemble
(3) THEA 150, THEA 160, or THEA 170
(3) THEA 220 Directing for the Stage
(3) Interdisciplinary Studies (IS)
(0) MUS 100 Convocation
(0) MUS 400A-Z Senior Assignment
12 - Total Credits
Total Hours 122
Transfer Students: To maximize your transfer experience, complete the bold course requirements pre-transfer and satisfy either the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Ed Core or receive an AA, AS or AAT (early childhood, special ed or math) degree from an IAI community college. If minor requirements are shown, discuss careful course selection with the academic advising contact listed. Visit the transfer credit website to find course equivalency guides.
