Lyric Theatre: Creative, BMA

for the degree of Bachelor of Musical Arts Major in Lyric Theatre, Creative Concentration


In addition to the Music and Lyric Theatre core areas, students who choose the Creative Concentration must also complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of coursework within the concentration. Students may choose a combination of the below courses in consultation with and approval of their advisor. At least six (6) hours must be taken from the first three (3) courses which deal with the performance of original work. With the other courses, similar type classes may be substituted with the approval of the Lyric Theatre faculty.

for the degree of Bachelor of Musical Arts in Lyric Theatre, Creative Concentration


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 129 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

At least one "Storytelling" (writing, telling, or reading stories) course is to be selected in consultation with advisor from the general education requirements.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
fulfilled by MUS 313, MUS 314
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

Music Core 

Orientation to Fine Arts and Music
FAA 101Arts at Illinois1
MUS 100First-year Seminar for Music Majors0
Music Theory and Musicianship
MUS 101Music Theory and Practice I2
MUS 102Music Theory and Practice II2
MUS 201Music Theory and Practice III2
MUS 202Music Theory and Practice IV2
MUS 107Musicianship I2
MUS 108Musicianship II2
MUS 207Musicianship III2
MUS 208Musicianship IV2
Musicology
MUS 110Introd Art Mus: Intl Perspect3
MUS 313The History of Music I3
MUS 314The History of Music II3
Keyboard Studies
All students must demonstrate keyboard competency by proficiency examination when they matriculate or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173.
MUS 172Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I2
MUS 173Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II2

Lyric Theatre Core

Vocal Studies
MUSC 105Voice (Years 1 & 2, two credits each semester)8
MUSC 406Lyric Theatre Voice (Years 1 & 2, two credits each semester)8
Choral Ensemble (MUSC 460-MUSC 465)8
MUSC 468LTI Studio (Years 2 & 3)8
MUS 121Italian Diction1
MUS 125English Diction and Dialects1
MUS 422Musical Theatre Repertoire2
MUS 472Senior Project Showcase (Taken twice)2
Language
ITAL 101Elementary Italian I4
Dance
DANC 116Dance I (Two sections of a dance course taken)4
or DANC 216 Dance II
DANC 209Lyric Theatre Dance (Taken after DANC 116 and/or DANC 216)2
Theatre-Acting
THEA 100Practicum I2
THEA 170Fundamentals of Acting I3
THEA 175Fundamentals of Acting II3
Somatics: Choose one course1
Mindful Movement
Yoga Fundamentals
Alexander Tech for Dancers
Alexander Technique Practicum

Creative Concentration
Minimum required major and supporting course work: 
Students who choose the Creative Concentration must complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of coursework within the concentration from a list of electives. Courses not on the list may be substituted with the approval of the Lyric Theatre faculty.

Suggested Electives for the Creative Concentration 12
12 minimum required hours
MUS 106Beginning Composition2
MUS 206Intermediate Composition2
MUS 209Musical Acoustics3
MUS 404Contemp Compos Techniques2
MUS 406Advanced Composition3
MUS 426Orchestration3
MUS 446Songwriting2
MUS 469Lyric Theatre Production2 or 3
MUS 471Composer-Chor Workshop2
MUSC 470Opera Scenes2
MUSC 471LTI Special Projects2
DANC 259Dance Improvisation I2
DANC 262Choreographic Process I2
DANC 424Collaborative Performance1 or 2
THEA 211Introduction to Playwriting3
THEA 212Introduction to Directing3
THEA 220Survey of Theatrical Design3
THEA 410Dramaturgs Workshop3 or 4
THEA 411Playwrights' Workshop3
THEA 412Directors Workshop3
THEA 453Introduction to Theatre Sound3
THEA 454Sound Design I3
THEA 455Sound Design II3
Other courses, with Lyric Theatre faculty approval

Degree Hours
The Bachelor of Musical Arts in Lyric Theatre requires a minimum of 129 hours for graduation. This includes a minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework at the 300- and/or 400-level from all elements of the degree. Additional hours needed to reach the minimum of 40 are chosen in consultation with advisor.

for the degree of Bachelor of Musical Arts in Lyric Theatre, Creative Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence. This sample curriculum plan makes the assumption that students will have demonstrated keyboard competency by proficiency examination when they matriculate or they will need to enroll in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This sample curriculum plan makes the assumption that the foreign language graduation requirement has been satisfied by completing three years of study of a single foreign language in high school. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Ensemble 1Ensemble 1
MUSC 1052MUSC 1052
MUS 1000MUS 1022
MUS 1012MUS 1082
MUS 1072MUS 1103
MUS 1211MUS 1251
ITAL 1014THEA 1002
FAA 1011General Education course or Composition I3
Composition I or General Education course4 
 17 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Ensemble 1Ensemble 1
MUSC 1052MUSC 1052
MUSC 4682MUS 2022
MUS 2012MUS 2082
MUS 2072MUS 3143
MUS 3133MUSC 4682
DANC course2DANC course2
General Education course (choose one which fulfills two categories)3General Education course (choose one which fulfills two categories)3
 17 17
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Ensemble 1Ensemble 1
Creative Concentration course3Creative Concentration course3
MUS 4222MUSC 4062
MUSC 4682MUSC 4682
MUSC 4062THEA 1753
THEA 1703DANC course2
Somatics Dance course1General Education course3
 14 16
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Ensemble 1Ensemble 1
Creative Concentration course3Creative Concentration course3
MUSC 4062MUSC 4062
MUSC 4702MUS 4721
MUS 4721General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
Storytelling General Education course3Free Elective course2
Free Elective course2 
 17 15
Total Hours 129

for the degree of Bachelor of Musical Arts in Lyric Theatre, Creative Concentration


Bachelor of Musical Arts in Lyric Theatre graduates will:

  • Understand, apply, and integrate foundational concepts of musical study in theory, aural skills, history, composition, improvisation, and keyboard competency, and do so independently and cooperatively.
  • Understand, apply, and integrate foundational concepts of study in dance and acting and do so independently and cooperatively.
  • Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, make inquiries, think critically, discover solutions, and integrate knowledge across both similar and varied areas of musical study.
  • Develop and demonstrate effective performance skills (technical and expressive) using critical thinking to inform historical and stylistic performance practices and artistic expression.
  • Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media.
  • Acquire a basic understanding of diverse musical systems and traditions across the world, and develop a sensitivity to and awareness of cultural and societal differences, and their contribution to an interdependent global consciousness.
  • Acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility as musicians and citizens, and demonstrate the ability to work professionally and effectively as leaders and collaborators.
  • Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
  • Appreciate how music interacts with communities to enhance and engage social and cultural identities and enrich lifelong learning.

for the degree of Bachelor of Musical Arts in Lyric Theatre, Creative Concentration


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