jacksdad

I will ask him to post when he gets home but it has been three weeks of intensive all day activity. Mornings were filled with dance, piano, theory and acting classes and then the afternoon were filled with assorted master classes and workshops. After dinner they rehearsed for Les Miserables culminating in two shows-the last tonight. There have also been Sunday evening Cabarets and the kids will put on a preshow dinner theater tonight for parents and friends. Bryan is doing a trio from Spelling Bee. It has been an encouraging and uplifting experience from all accounts and Im sure it will tough for him to leave all his new friends behind.

NotMamaRose

jacksdad, is the trio "The I Love You Song" from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee? My D (who is at CMU's precollege program right now) sang the part of Olive with two other kids (one girl and one boy) at in a musical theatre revue at her school. It's a very intense and sad song for a parent to hear.

jacksdad

it was. It sounded great over the phone as I was walking down the aisle at my brother's wedding rehearsal. You are so right about the emotions involved-one of the brilliant moments in the show when we saw it in New York. I cant wait to see the video of my son's performance.

soozievt

NMR...my D sang the Olive part of the I Love You Song too in a performance last year. It is a great song.

anne1244

Thanks so much to JacksDad for posting. I just dropped my daughter off yesterday at OCU and am reassured by your comments. They had an hour and a half dance placement audition after an hour music theory test and orientation the very first night! She wasn't even able to call until after 11pm because they ran so late. All the kids we met and she's met have been incredibly friendly and outgoing even though she is among the youngest of them. The staff we met were equally warm and friendly. I promise further reports as we receive additional info.

TXKatsmom

My D is having a great time as well. She was called back FOUR times for the part of Cosette, was one of the final four girls being considered, but did not end up with the part. She was disappointed, of course, but is still enjoying being a part of Les Miz!!!!

Here is an update that was sent to the parents by email:

"Dear Parents,
It's only been a few days, but we are well on our way to an exciting summer!
On Sunday night, the students went through orientation (better know the
rules!), music theory testing and dance leveling. The next day at 9AM, they
started their morning core classes of dance, acting and music theory (on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or group piano (on Tuesday and Thursday). The afternoon master class on Monday was with Dr. Herendeen and focused on audition preparation for the Les Miz auditions. Monday night, everyone
auditioned and callbacks took place. By Tuesday afternoon, the show was
cast and music rehearsals began. Tuesday night began show staging in the
legendary Kirkpatrick Theater where the cast staged the Act I finale "One
Day More."

And that, my friends, is just two days at OCU!"

srw

What I noticed about the schedule is that is very much the same as the college MT program, I think it's a great way for kids to get a taste of a college MT program!

TXKatsmom

Yes, I agree srw!! That is one of the main reasons we wanted our daughter to go.

TXKatsmom

Another OCU summer update:

"It's only been six days, but our talented students have already spent 30
hours in morning and afternoon classes, plus another 14 hours of rehearsals
for "Les Miserables." And We're only getting started!

This week, the students have had morning classes of acting, jazz dance, and
piano and/or music theory, plus afternoon master classes such as audition
preparation, vocal health, Tai Chi, Performance Psychology, and a vocal
master class with OCU professor Jan McDaniel. At night, they have been busy
finishing up Act One of "Les Miz." Our students will have less than two
weeks rehearsal time to learn their lines and get the show ready for our
audiences.

On Saturday, students will choose their classes with our Saturday Electives.
They can choose three of four classes * Tap, Pilates, Make-Up lab and Group
Piano. On Sunday, we have the first "Stars Cabaret" where students will be
able to perform a song for the whole group."

TXKatsmom

Just returned home with DD last night. Wow!! I was so impressed with OCU!! The performance, "Les Miz" was fantastic. Really great talent and amazing that they put it all together in 16 days!! The campus, and facilities, and faculty were all impressive. Dr. Herendeen, in particular, seemed to be such an incredible person. He is extremely kind and really seemed to take a personal interest in all of the kids present.

My daughter says that she had the time of her life. She was very tearful leaving all of her new friends. She now has OCU at the top of her "list" and seems to be very emotionally attached to the MT program as she said that she learned so much in only three weeks, that she can only imagine what it would be like in the actual program!
I am so grateful to CC because it was here that I learned of OCU summer pre-college program in the first place.

anne1244

I concur with everything TxKatsmom says about the OCU program. We just returned as well and were incredibly impressed with the caliber of performance mounted in just 16 days! As Dr. Herendeen noted, the production was on top of 15 hours of dance, 15 hours of acting, 15 hours of music theory and piano, over 28 hours of master classes, prep for a parent cabaret, two student cabarets, and more! The facilities are gorgeous; the website photos really don't do them justice. We had heard about the program from someone who went last year, but the program seems to improve each year. Improvements this year included two shows which permitted some double-casting for girls; dance classes all taught by dance faculty members (a huge plus for my D); Saturday electives which included Tap, pilates, etc.; and a bigger investment in tech which helped make the production even more spectacular without detracting from the kids' performances. My D is also in a state of withdrawal from her incredible experience at OCU.

NODad

My daughter loved the school and the program. She said the kids had absolutely fantastic voices and were well trained. She said she learned a lot during the classes, especially the tips on auditioning (which she will be doing soon).

She doesn't have her 'heart set on' OCU only, but it is among her top three choices and she said she would gladly accept if offered a spot.

I am also keeping OCU summer in mind for my rising Vocal Performance freshman daughter for the years to come. It is an affordable alternative to the $5, $6 and $7K northeastern programs.

ogess

I agree with you about the cost. The quality of the instructors are amazing. And what I like about them is they are true teachers. I have sent my D to other camps but while they have had impressive points none have prepared her for life beyond camp as well. This staff took the time to get to know the kids and help them as individuals. I like the fact they audition students to get in, it makes for a more intimate experience and I feel it is not just about how much money they could make but how they can best prepare them for the real world of musical theater, they were tough but loving.

chelle

My D. absolutely loved OCU. She also thought Dr. Herendeen was incredible. My husband and I absolutely loved Les Mis. I can't wait for the DVD to arrive. My d. was also very impressed with the dance program. She tells me that the MT kids can take dance with the dance majors. I am hoping that is the case for the advanced dancers. We may be flying back to OCU for the November auditions.

TXKatsmom

My D will only be a Junior this year, but definitely plans on auditioning next year. Chelle, let us know if your daughter decides to audition. Did she play Eponine the second performance night? If so, she is VERY talented.