ABlestMom

BassDad...you are AMAZING!!!!!!!! Thanks

MomofWildChild

Excellent- thanks.

ASW

Thanks for posting this! It should help those starting on the college search path a great deal to know a little about what to expect. The only thing different that I would add is in regard to the sample lessons. First, is that some teachers are remarkably easy to get in touch with and get a lesson scheduled. Others have taken weeks to hear back from due to their schedules, so plan way ahead. Second, is that we have paid for all of our daughter's sample lessons (with wide-ranging fees). So parents may not want to have expections that their child will get the lesson at no charge.

Irishmomof2

Outstanding series, BassDad. My D is planning to go into Science, but I am currently a music major, so I am going to print this thread out and read it more carefully. Thanks.

momnipotent

BassDad-my son will be reading this tonight!!!! Thank you so much! Was your D accepted at Curtis?

jazzymom

BD: Thanks from me too. But I'm new at this and need to ask: would your advice apply to students interested in jazz programs as well or is that a whole different kettle of fish?

BassDad

Momnipotent,

She was not accepted at Curtis. They only took one bass player that year and the young man who was accepted most certainly deserved it. They did like her audition, however, and encouraged her to try again if she ever had any desire to transfer. From what I heard, only a few applicants received that kind of encouragement.

She applied to BU, CIM, CMU, Curtis, NEC, Oberlin, Peabody and Rice. She withdrew the applications from CIM and CMU before auditioning because she had already been accepted at Oberlin. She was also accepted by NEC and Peabody.


Jazzymom,

I would imagine that a lot of what is in those articles applies to jazz programs, but there are probably other considerations that apply to the jazz world that I simply do not know much about. For example, I know that the auditions can take a very different format from the classical music auditions. You might ask someone like Beethoven's 10th, who knows the jazz scene quite well and who has a son who is a freshman jazz major.

OldinJersey

My child did at least consider colleges with music as well as conservatory, though chose that in the end.
U Maryland and Northwestern School of Music -both have amazing conservatory teachers, along with Eastman, Curtis, MSM and Juilliard.
Juilliard was the final choice. It's a roller coaster adventure and not for the faint hearted.
One good thing about lesson(s) with a teacher during senior year is that you know what to work on, as well as getting an idea of chances.
I want to add that we managed to afford a single summer of Interlochen Music Camp. Many of the orchestra and vocal kids will be auditioning at the same schools the following spring. Again, gives the child a sense of where they stand, and what needs to be worked on to get into conservatory or school of music with the teacher of choice.

Juilliard.. it's like jail, only with cellos-Robin Williams

musicmom

OldinJersey-

LOVE your name! I am also.

Thanks for reminding me of Robin Williams quote....it's a keeper!

binx

OldinJersey - welcome to the board, from another Juilliard parent. I'm going to bump the Intro thread, so you can fill us in on your child's experience.

binx (aka OldinGeorgia )

anxious parent

BassDad - thank you SO much!

anxious parent

BassDad - thank you SO much!

haru07

Wow...this is the best thread on CC, at least for me...I applied to Oberlin Conservatory. I'm dirt poor, and international, but I have a hell of a taste for music...I hope I get in =(

dangnguyen

Wow! That's some really helpful information!

dadsax

An outstanding series of posts, BassDad! Thank you VERY much for writing this and for pointing me to it in anothe thread.