CollegeMom

The reason this thread is not pinned to the top of the forum is two fold.

One is that Roger Dooley, the forum administrator, discourages mods from pinning too many threads to the top of a forum and filling the first page with stuck threads, rather than new discussions. He prefers just a few pinned threads. Right now, this forum has 8 pinned threads, since I just pinned the final decision threads as well (which is more seasonal).

Two is that if you also look at the top of this forum, there are "Featured Discussions." This thread about Preparing to Apply is already a featured discussion. Two featured discussions are viewable at the top but you can also click the link to more featured discussions and you will see that we have featured this thread as it is important and relevant in each year's admissions cycle. So, it is featured already without being pinned.

Perhaps when the decisions threads run their course, those can be unpinned and this discussion here can be pinned, which will be at a critical time of year as seniors will begin their process in earnest.

Christie2

Thank you, College Mom! We all appreciate how much time you take to moderate this very important forum!

Christie2

Don't know if this is still bumpable, but I don't want folks to miss it!

Times3

Another bump, just to keep it on the first page for current juniors and parents.

Christie2

As I once again hear of MT applicants who were surprised and dissatisfied with the results of their audition process, I want to again urge h.s. juniors and families to consider using professional audition coaching to prepare their students for MT college auditions. The process has become so competitive, that just like for top athletes, students who are the best prepared for the process, no matter their talent, are the ones who will rise to the top. In many cities you can find coaching for song choice and prep, and monologue choice and prep by contacting professional theaters in your area. Just make sure that the coaches understand that the college audition process and expectations are very different from the usual stage audition process and expectations. If you do not have these resources, I recommend you find the threads in this forum that discuss coaching resources. Personally, I would highly recommend MTCA (Musical Theatre College Auditions). They have been coaching for over 20 years, and their students consistently make it into the top programs in the country, and usually have a number to choose from. Using SKYPE (which we did from Oregon) or meeting personally in NYC, they will assist you in finding songs and monologues that best fit you and are not overdone, coach you in presenting your choices using skills colleges are looking for, and can provide legit or mix/belt voice instruction to augment your skill base. If you are close to NYC, they also provide coaching for the dance portion and a multitude of workshops to help you learn how dance auditions work. They also provide help in coordinating college lists to fit your talents, opportunities in NYC and California for 'mock' auditions prior to college ones, and supply a presence at Unifieds, for support, further coaching, and parent angst! Both my daughter and I could have never made it through the process without them, and continue to feel we are part of the MTCA family! If you would like further information or to check out their website (soon to have the success of this year's class reported!) please personal message or email me, and I would be glad to help you out. Believe me, SKYPE works beautifully for this process and can be used all over the world! Costs are highly competitive with those of everyday voice lessons. We are done with this process (my daughter is at school in NYC) but I feel strongly that students and parents need to be aware of how difficult it can be and have the resources available to deal with it. Juniors, RIGHT NOW is the time to start coaching!
Good luck to all!

Christie2

As I once again hear of MT applicants who were surprised and dissatisfied with the results of their audition process, I want to again urge h.s. juniors and families to consider using professional audition coaching to prepare their students for MT college auditions. The process has become so competitive, that just like for top athletes, students who are the best prepared for the process, no matter their talent, are the ones who will rise to the top. In many cities you can find coaching for song choice and prep, and monologue choice and prep by contacting professional theaters in your area. Just make sure that the coaches understand that the college audition process and expectations are very different from the usual stage audition process and expectations. If you do not have these resources, I recommend you find the threads in this forum that discuss coaching resources. Personally, I would highly recommend MTCA (Musical Theatre College Auditions). They have been coaching for over 20 years, and their students consistently make it into the top programs in the country, and usually have a number to choose from. Using SKYPE (which we did from Oregon) or meeting personally in NYC, they will assist you in finding songs and monologues that best fit you and are not overdone, coach you in presenting your choices using skills colleges are looking for, and can provide legit or mix/belt voice instruction to augment your skill base. If you are close to NYC, they also provide coaching for the dance portion and a multitude of workshops to help you learn how dance auditions work. They also provide help in coordinating college lists to fit your talents, opportunities in NYC and California for 'mock' auditions prior to college ones, and supply a presence at Unifieds, for support, further coaching, and parent angst! Both my daughter and I could have never made it through the process without them, and continue to feel we are part of the MTCA family! If you would like further information or to check out their website (soon to have the success of this year's class reported!) please personal message or email me, and I would be glad to help you out. Believe me, SKYPE works beautifully for this process and can be used all over the world! Costs are highly competitive with those of everyday voice lessons. We are done with this process (my daughter is at school in NYC) but I feel strongly that students and parents need to be aware of how difficult it can be and have the resources available to deal with it. Juniors, RIGHT NOW is the time to start coaching!
Good luck to all!

MrsDrz

I'm not sure that all starting this process need to spend money on a coach unless you have the extra money burning a hole in your pocket. Though I've known several families that found success with coaches, I also know that the process of auditioning itself will already be VERY expensive. To me the key to a GREAT audition is GREAT MATERIAL that suits the castability of the student and if you really look for it, you can find it. My D read about 20 plays this summer from both established and new playwrights (you can buy them on the web) and downloaded tons of new contemporary and classic MT songs (also on the web). Maybe DISCOVERING one's actual castable type instead of what type one wants to play is the hardest hurdle. Once this is determined, finding material isn't that hard.

I personally think money would be better spent improving SAT/ACT scores with prep-classes or even with honing personal interview skills if the student is lacking in that area. The interview can help get you the coveted spot and the test scores can help get you the scholarships.

Nccpdad

I hired an audition coach for twin sons to help them select repertoire and to help select schools to apply that matched their interests and skill sets. It was the best money that we spent. We hired her in May/June of last year and both were accepted into multiple auditioned BFA and BM MT and voice programs. She helped with cuts, pre screens, interview questions, monologues, etc. This whole process is an expensive endeavor but, in my unskilled parent opinion, preparedeness and the ability perform repertoire in your strike zone is key (sorry about the sports metaphor).

takeitallin

As with Mrs. Drz.'s D, my D did not use any coaches to prepare for college auditions, and had great success. She also spent a lot of time reading plays, and listening to a LOT of downloaded music to come up with her audition material. She worked with her regular voice teacher to perfect the material. He does regularly accompany our regional theater, especially during auditions, so does have some insight into the process, but mostly just worked with her on vocals.

I think it is great that there are audition coaches out there for those who want them, but I would hate for anyone to get the impression that they are a necessary expenditure for MT program auditions. We don't really know anyone from our area who has used one, and have seen acceptances to BoCo, CCM, Michigan, PSU, Texas State, Syracuse, etc. The kids from our area who did not get any acceptances are really those I would have predicted would not have great success with auditions- just not quite up to par.

Now that my D is in a BFA MT program, she has had several opportunities to help out at on-campus auditions for in-coming freshman. She is continually surprised at some of the audition material that people use for their audtions and that common sense often does not play a part in their selections: cursing or explicit language in monologues, inapproprite age material for vocals and monologues, material intended for a male being song by a female and vice versa, "talking" songs that show no range, etc- problems that should not occur for anyone who has done any research at all.

I am definitely not saying that audition coaches don't have a place, but only want to make sure no one gets the impression that if you don't have one, you have no chance in the whole process.

monkey13

There are certainly many examples of students who get into top notch programs without college coaches. And, I'm sure there are examples of kids who use a college coach and don't get into any auditioned program. I would be lost without my D's coaches....she does not have time to read 20 plays searching for a monologue. I wish she did, but she doesn't. I think the bottom line is that you have to one of two things: 1) either get a coach/coaching team who can help you pick appropriate material and schools, and prepare you for the auditions; or 2) have the time to research the heck out of everything so you don't make the mistakes takeitallin mentions above. My D has a friend this year who is phenomenally talented, but did not get in anywhere. We were shocked...until we saw the material she picked. It did not show off her strengths, and was inappropriate for other reasons. She has another friend who did not use any coach, and got into a top notch program. So it is a very personal choice, and you can be successful either way. For me, b/c of my D's schedule, there is just no way we could do this without her coaches. I'm glad we have the option, and everyone just has to figure out what is going to work best for their particular situation.

Nccpdad

Agree with Monkey13 and Takeitallin. Coaches are not a requirement nor are they a guarantee of being successful in auditions. Coaches are resources. I was trying to make the point, and perhaps inartfully so, that I had no experience or knowledge about this process and needed help for my boys. They, like most of the kids out there, have too little time to devote the appropiate effort to repertoire selection and the necessary nuances to help them stand out, without a bit of coaching aid. Given the thousands that you will be investing (or have invested) in auditions, lessons, training, travel, applications and ultimately school tuition; for our family, paying a coach was the right investment in our children. Every family situation is different and I would guess that there may be more than a few "coaches" out there that although well intentioned may do more harm for your child than good.

mrpeabody69

A friend of mine told us about the book "I Got In!" by Mary Anna Denard. Then we ended up hiring her to coach our D. She also arranges some great workshops with the heads of some of the MT programs. So our D had a chance to get some great feedback on her aud material and tips.

We are very grateful to have found her. If you cannot afford to hire a coach, even just reading the book gave us a lot of helpful info.

Christie2

Bumping . . .

Christie2

Bumping up for those starting work this summer!

Christie2

Bumping for those new to the forum . . .