@tubamama congratulations!!! Best of luck to your S at Stanford and how wonderful you don’t have to go thru audition season. What a great outcome.
@tubamama I’m sorry to hear that your son has been so sick. Stanford is an amazing feat so congratulations!! I was actually hoping to bump into on the audition trail but maybe for grad school. Now enjoy a quiet winter.
Happy to report that we have music back in the house! About 48 hours after starting an antibiotic, there has been a VAST improvement in the throat. So thankful we pushed for something more. Antibiotics were clearly needed for some reason or other. Did our best to disinfect the instrument, swap out reeds, etc. D was itching to get back, but also nervous to pick it up again. How terrible would it sound? In fact, not terrible at all! So thankful. Somehow managed to pluck a magical new reed from the box as well!
Feeling grateful and cautiously optimistic! Adding Emergen-C to our upcoming audition prep.! ?
@mom2clarinetobsessedkid good to hear your D is on the mend, and @tubamama I hope your S recovers smoothly. Our family was sick over the holidays (me the worst) so I’m hoping S stays healthy for his last two auditons. With piano he may be able to take to better than a vocalist or horn/brass, but healthy is best!
@mom2clarinetobsessedkid So glad your son is on the mend! Best wishes for the upcoming auditions!
@tubamama congratulations! Stanford, what an accomplishment! Just a thrilling outcome. And so glad we’ll still see you on the board once in a while. It’s addictive for sure ?
From the wonderful @tableforsix: “ This week, the audition/interview panels will have the good fortune to meet the daughter of @coloraturagirl , the son of @Doransa , the daughter of @flutyMcFluteface , the daughter of @MezzoDadbynight , the son of @MomOfSingers , the son of @MusicMomSC , the daughter of @OrangeJacket, the daughter of @rudydog66 , the daughter of @runninglate , the daughter of @songbirdmama , and @yfgntf123.” What an incredibly strong group this is! Can’t believe we are here so quickly. Good luck to all. Please do share your experiences and know that we are rooting for you!
This is D’s first audition as a MM candidate, and I’m watching from the sidelines. Very interested to hear how the process differs from undergrad. I have added all her destinations to my weather app and keep checking for storms that might affect travel in and out of O’Hare. Seems like I’m doing something when I’m not actually doing anything. Except nail-biting.
S had U WA audition- 8 min to walk in/out, less than the 10-15 min he was expecting. He was asked to play parts of the 2 pieces he had prepared and 2 scales. He was asked to play one of his prepared pieces a different way; he complied. He was then asked if he could play anything else. He happened to have sheet music in his folder for a piece that he had been working on with his private instructor, so he played that. He felt he only “messed up” once and played as best as he could. This happens to be the place where his youth orchestra rehearses weekly, so he felt very comfortable. I, on the other hand, was super stressed. I only wished that I wore quieter shoes, so that I could’ve put my ear to the closed door of the audition room to hear the adjudicators’ comments, although S said they didn’t really say anything.
So heart-warming! Thank you for this @tableforsix !!! Good luck to everyone’s kiddos! My son is traveling to UMichigan as I write this (driving with my husband). It is his first audition. Please enjoy the process (easy to say, right?). So much growth here…
I have learned over too many years of auditions (thankfully I don’t know about most anymore), it’s never solely about talent…it’s also about right fit. For those minutes in the audition room, be open, honest, authentic and cooperative. In that way, some teachers will connect with your audition…see your potential…and offer spots.
It’s truly “a leap of faith” but every year students get great offers. It’ll all be good!
First trip to Boston early tomorrow am- then to CCM. Airline emailed about weather advisories and wants to change flights 
I think we’ll be ok on the way out. The middle leg and the trip home we may encounter snafus. Wishing everyone luck this week! I will update on audition process once we finish.
@coloraturagirl good luck with the audition. Weather is unpredictable this time of the year. We will be heading to CCM next weekend. We are off to Indiana this evening. It is about 4 hrs. drive for us so it should be ok. Good luck to everyone who is having auditions /interviews this week. I will update with hotel etc information once it is over.
We are packing up today and flying out to New York in the morning. What are the chances we can get all of our stuff in two carry-on suitcases? Has anyone done it or do you bite the bullet and check bags?
@runninglate, in my experience it depends on the size of the plane. Bigger planes have more room in the overhead compartment and they let you bring more stuff. So I would go for it, but make sure that one of your bags doesn’t have anything super-essential in case they make you check one.
GOOD LUCK this weekend everyone! We’re expecting wind today (Thursday) in the NYC area, which may cause some delays or bumpy rides, but shouldn’t lead to cancellations. A small amount of snow is expected Saturday afternoon, but again, not a big deal. Can’t wait to hear how everything goes!
@runninglate - we managed to travel with one carry-on suitcase, one hanging bag (with nice clothes), one computer backpack (me), a stick bag (kid is percussionist) and a snare drum. Board as early as you can and nicely ask flight attendants to hang clothes in first class locker. Tell them you child is auditioning for a music program and they are super helpful. 
Good luck to all those with auditions this weekend! It’s good to read this journey thread as everything is picking up pace so quickly… it felt like nothing happened for the longest time and wow, here we go again!
I came down with a sore throat a few days ago and still recovering…it’s very stressful with the time crunch as my audition for USC is in ten days!!! But I reassure myself with the knowledge that I’ve always been able to sing right after I recover and everything will work out in the end…sigh…hoping for a quick recovery. I hope the other kids are drinking their Emergen-C and staying healthy!
@runninglate We made it with a garmet bag and a carry-on. Kept audition outfit (plus a backup) in garmet bag (which hangs in the front of plane) and everything else in the wheeled carry on. D had her backpack with music and computer and I took a tote bag. That way, we were not subject to the possible complication of lost luggage (plus we saved the fees each way…)
@racingfan53 Keep hydrated. Really easy to get dried out when you have a head cold. Good luck at USC.
Things are different for grad school for sure! Here’s a collection of texts from my youngest daughter about her first MM audition, which is tomorrow. Audition journey - grad school style:
“Yay! I’m allowed to go to Boston for my BU audition.” (She’s covering a role had to get permission to miss a rehearsal.)
“Travel plans for my BU audition are all set - I’m going to be driving in with Friend 1 and Friend 2 on Thursday and flying back on Saturday.”
“On the road towards my first audition!”
And in response to my text about when her audition is: “Tomorrow at like 3:00pm”
And although I’d love to ask who’s driving? where are you staying? and do you have your dress, shoes and hose? I will just be praying that she does her best “Tomorrow at like 3:00pm”
To be fair - we’ve had more communication with her about auditions she needs to fly to and have been saving up travel miles for that. 
I’m glad she’s demonstrating independence and taking the lead on this.
Good luck to everyone auditioning this weekend and if you are lucky enough to be joining your kid on the road enjoy every moment with them!
Good luck to everything weekend. I can’t wait to hear all the details. D starts her auditions in another week. Just had her ‘last’ pre audition lesson tonight and she got a big hug from her teacher.
Good luck to all this weekend - I have all my fingers and toes crossed for good health, safe travels, perfect weather, wonderful rapport with teachers, and beautiful music. Go get 'em!