The department has decided to produce a series of small shows as part of a festival during the fall. Each show will have the capability of being done in a safe manner, socially distanced. Actor and audience will not be within 12' of each other. Technical personnel will be safe and secure as well. Scripts are being read and chosen to ensure the text complies with social distancing. Decisions regarding spring production will be made as we gain more information.
All acting classes will be treated as hybrid courses. They will meet both in person and online with the option of students participating from home online. Students will also meet individually with faculty as needed.
The majority of theatre classes will be treated as hybrid courses, meeting both online and in person. Each faculty member will treat this in a slightly different manner. We encourage you to reach out directly to your faculty member to discuss their approach. Masks will be worn in all theatre classes. Students have the option to have accommodations made if they are unable to come to class for in person instruction.
Each area has been evaluated so that we can keep proper social distancing. No area will be allowed to exceed that number. Students will be required to wear a mask. Cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be readily available. We continue to develop policies for shared tools and supplies. Work calls will be modified to allow for more breaks
The theatre department will make temperature checks prior to each rehearsal. Rehearsal studios will not exceed the recommended number for social distancing. All personnel will be required to wear a mask except for the actor "on stage" in the scene. Even then, we will encourage mask usage. Students will be encouraged to bring a water bottle, as no water fountains will be available. Cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be readily available. Backstage crew members will be limited, and students will wear masks and practice social distancing. Breaks during rehearsals will be longer to allow for sanitizing high touch surfaces.
As of right now, Ballet and Modern Technique classes will be split into 2 studios: Studio A will have the instructor and musician along with a maximum of 10 dancers. Studio B will have a maximum of 10 dancers and view a synchronous live feed from studio A. For these classes, students will line up 6 feet apart at the north entrance on the 1st floor. Their temperature will be taken and logged as they enter one at a time, proceeding directly to their assigned studio. Floors will be marked for safe social distancing during class. There will be no use of the dressing rooms and only 1 in the restrooms at a time. Dancers will enter through one door and exit through another in all studios and must exit the building immediately after each class.
Dance History, Dance Science and Kinesiology, Production, Modern Rep, Partnering, Pas de deux, and Capstone projects will all be delivered online. When students need to be in the studio for their course work, the Dance Division is requiring social distancing in the dance studio and limiting the number of in person participants to 10 persons per room including the instructor and the accompanist.
Yes, UMKC will offer in-person applied study following guidelines set by the city, state, and university regarding safe instructional practices.
We have prepared all of our courses, including applied study, to work in three scenarios:
Yes, although this experience will have a new look and feel.
We will be divided into smaller groups of performers, masks, shields, plexiglass, and distance to help keep us all safe. We will also utilize a flexible format for rehearsals and any possible performances in order to provide a safer environment.
An online option for ensembles will be available for students who do not feel comfortable attending in person.
Yes, the chamber music experience will continue with an emphasis on safety.
Small groups of students, meeting in large enough spaces to allow for proper distancing, along with a flexible approach to scheduling will allow us to provide a high-quality chamber music experience.
Yes, the current plan is to divide classes into cohorts that will be attended in person for at least one of the regularly scheduled meeting times each week.
For example, in a music history class of 15 students that meets twice a week, 7 students may come on the first class meeting of the week, and 8 on the second class of the week. Each class will also be recorded and placed on Canvas so students can watch them later if they are uncomfortable or unable to attend. This approach will allow students to enjoy some face-to-face meetings with their instructors, since they will be socially distanced in classrooms.
Yes, we will continue to provide space and time in White and Grant Recital Halls for student recitals. Guidelines for performances will follow the current COVID policies set by the city, state, and university. Audiences will also follow up-to-date policies for attendance.
We have canceled the planned performance of Albert Herring for the fall semester. We have decided instead to perform two evenings of opera in its place. Both evenings are designed around the theme of Shakespeare: one evening will feature operatic arias and duets, the other will showcase art songs. Auditions and any performances are prepared to be either live or online, depending on the current COVID-19 climate.
Yes, we have worked over the summer to prepare all Conservatory classes for three possible scenarios:
Please consult the university’s official COVID-19 page for information about financial implications and procedures: https://www.umkc.edu/news/coronavirus.html.
As long as the buildings are open, we will make practice rooms available for student use. University-provided cleaning supplies will be available, and social-distancing guidelines will be followed. Students are encouraged to clean keyboards, music stands, light switches, and door handles both before and after their practice session.
Yes, the University allows for current students to apply for a leave of up to one year and entering students can apply for up to a year of deferment. You are strongly encouraged to speak with your Conservatory advisor before making your application for either of these opportunities.
Conservatory policy allows us to hold scholarship for current Conservatory students for up to one academic year, on a student-to-student basis. Decisions are based on current Conservatory needs with regard to a balanced enrollment.
Scholarships for incoming students will not be deferred, but incoming students who defer admission will be re-considered for scholarship when they do enroll.
We offer a variety of ways to learn more about the Conservatory. All visits are virtual in Fall 2020:
Prospective graduate students may directly contact a faculty member in their desired degree area to arrange a meeting. Conservatory Admissions is happy to meet with any graduate applicants who have questions about the application, audition or scholarship process. Please contact us — with two weeks' notice — to request a visit.
Individual appointments last about 30-45 minutes and focus on Conservatory degree programs, application process, auditions and scholarships, but do not include a campus tour. Campus tours may be scheduled separately through the Welcome Center.
2021 auditions will be held virtually. Most programs will require both a recorded audition and a live virtual audition. Information about auditions is available on the Auditions page.
Recorded auditions should be uploaded to your application as part of your Portfolio and may be submitted either at time of applicatin or later (most video deadlines are AFTER the application deadline). To submit your recorded audition:
Please note: the checklist will list your audition video as "received" once admissions staff have confirmed receipt of the materials.
Live virtual audition may be in the form of a performance-style audition, interview, or meeting, depending on instrument/area. This is in addition to the recorded audition. Details can be found on the Audition Repertoire page.
We want to give you the best chance possible to show your skills virtually! We ask for the recorded audition first to allow you to give us a great recording, without the internet issues that can often plague live Zoom performances. The deadline to submit these videos is in January or February, to allow you time to prepare, record, and send something great. Have your recording ready early? Great, go ahead and upload! Otherwise, waiting until the deadline is fine - just upload your recording by the stated deadline for your specific instrument/area.
We follow up your recorded audition with a live virtual session. This may be an audition, interview, or meeting, depending on your instrument/area (see Audition Repertoire for details). This is a follow-up to your recorded audition and will give you a chance to connect live with our faculty.
We will also be offering a variety of informative sessions on the live virtual audition days to allow you learn more about us. Sessions may include:
A schedule of live virtual events will be available about one month before your live virtual audition day.
Transcripts are considered official if they are received in a sealed envelope or sent electronically to the Office of Admissions through Parchment, National Student Clearing House, SCOIR or eScrip-Safe.
Send by mail to:
UMKC Office of Admissions
Administrative Center
5115 Oak St., Room 120
Kansas City, MO 64112
Send by secured email to: umkc-admtranscript@umkc.edu
Please do not send transcripts directly to the Conservatory.
Upload PDFs of your transcripts, test scores and other supplemental documents to your application.
Please do not send transcripts directly to the Conservatory.
We provide suggested audition repertoire for both the recorded audition and the live virtual audition.
The application for the summer master's of Music Education is the same as the full-time master's program. An audition for this degree program is not required. You are required to interview with our Music Education faculty. We will contact you to schedule the interview.
To be eligible for this degree program, you must have completed a undergraduate degree in music education with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Undergraduate students may enroll in classes after they have completed orientation.
Graduate students will receive information about orientation from our graduate advisor.
