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Didn't realize I would touch a nerve with my comment about the unsupportive hs teacher. It's nice to know we're not alone. I had trouble because I am a college teacher myself and I couldn't imagine myself not bending over backwards for an excellent student. Years later I'm still in touch with some for whom I went the extra mile.
There are many excellent hs teachers just as there are many duds and everything in between. The problem really is when you're dealing with music teachers as opposed to other subjects. One year with an English teacher who's only so so isn't going to seriously damage a kid's interest in being an English major. However, music, especially at the high level our kids have achieved, is so very personal. It is bound up in self expression and self confidence and passion and, yes, ego, too. And there are often only one or two music teachers in the school whom the kids must work with for several years. Good is wonderful when you get it, but bad can be devastating.
S's teacher also told him to apply to the state schools. Private teacher said "Go for Eastman. If you don't make it there, you will still be able to get into many other great schools." Certainly not the case if he had only aspired to the local state university.
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