reedplay

estargrl88: You really have to look at each school to see whether you'll be able to take lessons. On flute it's less likely than on other instruments though, because so many instructors (like me) are adjunct faculty and there are limits to our loads. For instance, I teach music minors (and even non music "anythings") because I teach oboe at places that have few oboe majors. But the flute teacher has so many majors and minors she can't take on the students who aren't in music at all, and even the minors might be limited to how many quarters they may take (I'd have to ask her to be certain). Best bet is to write to the instructors and ask!

About the piccolo: it never hurts to have one ... it can be the factor that gets you into a performing group. It's not quite as good as the oboist owning and English horn, but it's better than nothing.

Some schools have several bands and orchestras. Some don't. This is another thing you have to research. Some are by audition only. Sometimes there are groups by audition AND groups anyone can join. (For the very good musician the "anyone can join groups" can be frustrating so I think schools that offer both are a best bet!)

(Btw, I'm not a fan of marching bands, so that's an area from which I steer clear!)

Hope this is somewhat helpful.

BassDad

Operamom,

While we have still not gotten anything from NEC, a friend from NY just emailed and said theirs arrived yesterday.

lorelei2702

Singers and instrumentalists received acceptances and rejections in NC yesterday from NEC. MSM instrumental acceptances and rejections arrived in NC Friday and yesterday. Mannes notices arrived in NC yesterday. Does anyone know much about how teachers are assigned/accessed/co-ordinated at MSM? Requested teacher was not at audition, nor was trial lesson taken, but assigned in acceptance letter; this does not make sense. Parent has not seen packet, cannot get to it until later in month, but thought some of you might have experience/information.

cal0302

estargrl88-
My D also plays the flute and is thinking along the same lines as you are. We have found that you need to talk to the chair of the music department and the flute instructor at each school and ask LOTS of questions. Some schools offer music minors, double majors, some don't. Some (especially smaller schools) gladly accept non-majors and minors in their ensembles, and offer lessons to minors and non-majors, others only accept them if there's an opening. Some require auditions of their music minors and some don't. Some offer scholarships to minors and non-majors. Not every school with a decent music department offers music education.
It can be difficult to double major, as described elsewhere. You need to ask that question of both the music department and the other major. Non-conservatory schools will be your best bet, but be sure to ask a lot of questions about the level of play in smaller schools. My D started asking questions like, "I've played X,Y and Z pieces successfully in competition, how do I compare with other music majors in your department? Where would I fit in?" It's a tedious process, but important to find the right fit.

mstee

estargrl88--The Lutheran schools tend to have good music programs with lots of opportunities for lessons, playing in ensembles for non-majors. Concordia in Moorhead,MN and St. Olaf in Northfield, MN come to mind.

juliatorgo

I'm also in Southern CA and am waiting on word from NEC. It's very odd because last year I got the big envelope on April 1 (I am a Tufts/NEC dual degree person and I decided to take a year off so I deferred admission at Tufts. I was unable to defer at both schools despite the fact that NEC allows accepted students to defer for a year due to the competitive nature of the dual degree program). I actually called them today because I thought something had gone awry. They told me that they mailed out all of the letters on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and that mine went out on Thursday. So it's certainly taking its time to get here but I'm figuring (hoping!) that it should get here by tomorrow. I'll post here when I get anything and would appreciate it if others did the same. Thanks!

lorelei2702

I know a male vocalist who received acceptance in NC Monday from NEC, so they are out there! Good luck. I hope it goes well for you!

juliatorgo

Thanks Lorelei. I forgot to mention that I, too, know of a tenor here in LA who heard last Wednesday! But he's quite special- ridiculously talented and of course, a tenor. He got a phone call. Sopranos like myself are certainly not special enough for that, lol. Good luck to all others still waiting...I'm hoping tomorrow's the day. Crossing fingers, praying...

lorelei2702

Did you have to reaudition? How unfortunate it could not all be deferred as a package!

It was a tough year for admits everywhere, so hopefully things will go well for you, Julia. People who made callbacks at Curtis AND Juilliard are being waitlisted or turned down there and other places. It is a cruel world out there. Keep us posted.

lorelei2702

Bassdad: I know a string bass player who received his denial from NEC on Monday, so if it is by applied area, you should have heard by now. Keep us posted.

Susantm

My son got his rejection from NEC on Saturday. We're in Oregon.

BassDad

No response from NEC yet. Perhaps in this afternoon's mail...

lorelei2702

Bassdad, I am curious: were there any prescreens in string bass?

BassDad

The only prescreen that we know of on string bass was at Rice. Even Curtis took all comers, allowing the difficulty of the required repertoire and the high audition fee to do the screening for them.

lorelei2702

Is your daughter pretty agitated about the wait? My child got final word on everything Monday A.M., literally camped at the mail box. There was great relief at being finished (three came Monday!) We have some teacher details to decide, and one tantalizing wait-list, but pretty sure what the choice will be. It is nice to be able to start visualizing how things will be. Now to get the financial details in writing, not all schools have released figures for next year! Good luck.