Search NYU Steinhardt

Curriculum

MM, Vocal Performance: Music Theatre

How to Apply
MM, Vocal Performance: Music Theatre

Our musical theatre students pursue training in acting, dance, and voice.  You’ll have one-on-one lessons with our renowned faculty, as well as workshops, master classes, and small seminar sessions providing individualized instruction. You'll perform in fully staged productions under the guidance of professional directors, choreographers, conductors, and designers from Broadway and major regional theatre communities, preparing you for a career in music theatre.

Core Course Sequence

Core voice classes provide a strong foundation in technique, crucial in preparing you for a successful and healthy career.  You'll take courses in areas such as script analysis and dramaturgical process, music criticism, film music, music therapy, and music theatre history, as well as specialized classes in private voice instruction, vocal coaching, music theatre workshops, and acting. You will work with your advisor and faculty mentors to determine the electives that best fit your goals and needs.

As a music theatre student, you’ll take classes in acting and dance with our renowned faculty.  You'll also have the opportunities to cross traditional lines and take classical voice training and participate in opera workshops and fully staged opera productions.

Culminating Experience 

As your terminal degree experience, you will perform a graduate recital, demonstrating a technical foundation in vocal production that will allow your voice to evolve in an efficient and healthy manner. Your performance will demonstrate your respect for the value of the text, and the words and the sounds of the music in combination. Degree recitals are held in Steinhardt’s world-class performance venues and recorded to provide an archival document of professional quality. 

Course Title Credits
Requirements
Vocal Performance Core
MPAVP-GE 2111Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 19
MPAVP-GE 2112Vocal Coaching: Advanced 23
MPAVP-GE 2141Graduate Acting for Singers I2
MPAVP-GE 2142Graduate Acting for Singers II2
MPAVP-GE 2151Script Analysis and Dramaturgical Process2
Musical Theatre Specialization
MPAVP-GE 2351Music Theatre History I2
MPAVP-GE 2352Music Theatre History II2
MPAVP-GE 2xxMusic Theatre Workshop 35
Dance Electives
2 credits by advisement:2
MPAVP-GE 2123
Beginning Ballet
MPAVP-GE 2124
Beginning Modern Dance Techniques
MPAVP-GE 2125
Jazz Dance Technique
MPAVP-GE 2126
Tap Dance
MPAVP-GE 2127
Music Theatre Dance
MPADE-GE 2025
Hip Hop Dance Culture
Culminating Experience
MPAVP-GE 2121Colloquium in Music and Music Education2
MPAVP-GE 2122Recital1
Total Credits32
1

Students take this 3 credit course three times for a total of 9 credits.

2

This course is taken concurrently with Recital.

3

Students complete these courses for 4 semesters.

Proficiency in music theory and history is a requirement for all graduate students in the NYU Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions. The music theory and history requirements outlined here apply to all students enrolling in Masters, PhD, DMA, or Advanced Certificate/Diploma programs in the following areas:

  • Instrumental Performance (String Studies, Woodwind Studies, Brass Studies, Percussion Studies, and Jazz)
  • Music Composition (Concert Music, Songwriting, and Screen Scoring)
  • Music Education
  • Music Technology
  • Piano Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Music Therapy

Students applying to the Masters, PhD, or Advanced Certificate/Diploma programs who have completed a music degree in the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at NYU Steinhardt within the last five years are exempt from the music theory and history entrance requirements. This exemption is granted based on 1) passing scores on prior MPAP music theory and history entrance exams, or 2) successful completion of prior remedial coursework required by former placement exam scores. All DMA applicants are required to take the exam regardless of prior degrees from the department.

Exceptions:

  • PhD students in Music Technology are exempt from these requirements.
  • Students matriculating in the Screen Scoring concentration in Music Theory and Composition for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years are exempt from the music history requirement.
  • Music Therapy students are exempt from the music history requirement. They are required to take the music theory entrance exam. Based on exam results, remediation is determined and fulfilled within the Music Therapy program.
  • Music Therapy Focus/Music Education PhD program students who have graduated from the NYU MA music therapy program are exempt from again meeting the history/theory requirements. This exemption also applies to students who have graduated from an American Music Therapy Association approved master's music therapy program.

Music Theory Diagnostic Exam

Graduate students in music must complete a music theory diagnostic exam at any point before registering for the first semester of coursework. DMA applicants are required to complete the exam as part of the application process, no later than the first week of December for Fall enrollment.

The diagnostic exam gauges students’ knowledge of written theory, aural theory, and sight-singing. Students who do not pass the exam (or portions thereof) will be required to complete a maximum of four credits from the courses listed below, assigned in accordance with their exam results:

  • MPATC-GE 2301 Music Fundamentals
  • MPATC-GE 2232 Graduate Review of Tonal Theory
  • MPATC-GE 2035 Graduate Review of Aural Skills

Music History Requirement

Students who have completed a minimum of two music history courses (equivalent to two 2-credit history courses at NYU) as part of their undergraduate or graduate degrees prior to arrival are exempt from supplemental coursework in music history.

Evaluation of course equivalence will be completed by the student’s academic program based on student transcripts. History courses must have been completed within the last five years for Masters and Advanced Certificate/Diploma programs and within the last 7 years for doctoral programs.

Students missing this foundational coursework must complete up to two 2-credit music history courses offered through the Music and Performing Arts Department. Students should consult with their advisors on the most appropriate music history courses for their degree program.

Additional Information

Courses taken to satisfy a proficiency requirement are supplemental to those required by any graduate degree program. Remedial courses cannot be used to meet degree requirements.

Graduate Remedial Coursework

Course Title Credits
Music Theory Courses
MPATC-GE 2301Music Fundamentals2
MPATC-GE 2232Graduate Review of Tonal Theory1
MPATC-GE 2035Graduate Review of Aural Skills1
Music History Courses
MPATC-GE 2067Music History I: Medieval & Renaissance2
MPATC-GE 2068Music History II: Baroque & Classical2
MPATC-GE 2077Music History III: Romantic2
MPATC-GE 2078Music History IV: Twentieth Century2
MPATC-GE 2323Global Soundscapes: A Survey of Musical Traditions2
MPATC-GE 2248Music History: Gender and Sexuality in Music2
MPATC-GE 2550Screen Music: History, Analysis, and Aesthetics.2
MPATC-GE 2086Music of East and Southeast Asia, Past and Present2
MPAJZ-GE 2121Jazz History2
MPATE-GE 2138Global Electronic Music I3
MPATC-GE 2079Music History: Music & Protest2
American Music History
Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPAVP-GE 2111 Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 3
MPAVP-GE 2141 Graduate Acting for Singers I 2
Dance Elective 1
MPAVP-GE 2351 Music Theatre History I 2
Musical Theatre Workshop 1
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
MPAVP-GE 2111 Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 3
MPAVP-GE 2142 Graduate Acting for Singers II 2
Music Theatre Workshop 1
Dance Elective 1
MPAVP-GE 2352 Music Theatre History II 2
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
MPAVP-GE 2111 Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 3
Music Theatre Workshop 1
MPAVP-GE 2121 Colloquium in Music and Music Education 2
MPAVP-GE 2151 Script Analysis and Dramaturgical Process 2
 Credits8
4th Semester/Term
MPAVP-GE 2112 Vocal Coaching: Advanced 3
Music Theatre Workshop 2
MPAVP-GE 2122 Recital 1
 Credits6
 Total Credits32

Placement Exams

  • Music Theory and Aural Comprehension
  • Music History

Placement exams are given before the start of the first semester. For each exam or part of an exam that you do not pass you will be assigned an undergraduate course. Any undergraduate review courses you are required to take do not count toward the 32 points required for the degree.

Registration for Private Voice Instruction is required for each semester that you are enrolled on a full-time basis (10 credits or more: 3 credits taken per semester for the first two semesters of study, and 2 credits taken during the third and fourth semesters of study).

Voice Jury

At the end of two semesters of private voice study you are required to perform a voice jury. You must prepare a minimum of six (6) songs and must demonstrate that you are making vocal progress and are covering sufficient repertoire to enable you to prepare your Master’s Recital.

Note: Vocal Performance majors must provide their own accompanists for lessons, juries, and recitals. Accompanists can be found through the program and there are often accompanists already associated with particular voice studios.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Students must earn a minimum of a B in any MPAVP-GE course in order for the credits for that course to count toward the degree.

Take the Next Step

Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.

Apply Now