CCM is done. We managed to return home before the snow. No ice on the roads so it was a nice day to travel. He enjoyed the interview. He came out smiling. I found the buildings a bit confusing. We walked around and took a tour of the UC and visited the library. Students were very helpful and there were signs for auditions. My opinion they could post some more signs. Over all it was a nice trip. It was our first visit to CCM. We liked the area.
Good luck to everyone who is auditioning tomorrow.
Hi- my daughter found out she was accepted EA to Frost. The email she received said that they accept only a very few people EA and that merit scholarship s would be announced at the end of March.
She auditioned for classical voice with the intention of majoring in music education but she also auditioned for the contemporary songwriting minor. They were very interested in the fact that she is a multi genre musician.
D completed UC Irvine and UCLA today. UCI smaller, gorgeous campus and everyone was exceedingly friendly. Only 1 opera per year, but many other ensembles and performance opportunities. D performed in front of 3- no sight reading or theory test.
UCLA much larger and more formal. D got more than 30 mins w accompanist which was wonderful (no other school offered this before) and D performed in front of at least 8 or so. Did a sight reading test also. Very crowded audition day with grad students and many instruments. Top notch facilities- very impressed. Took a tour of music school and all the offerings afterwards. 3 operas per year and plenty of performance opportunities for undergrads.
Next week is Northwestern!
Let’s get this show on the road !!! 5:12 a.m and we are about to hit the road. Oy Vey ! What’s wrong with a noon start? Oh wait… that’s tomorrow . 
Today’s check in starts at the ridiculously early time of 7:15 !!! Why ? Ok … glad I got that out of my system !
Break a Leg all those with auditions today . We’ve ( kids AND waiting parents) got this !! Let’s go !!!
My kid thought the USC audition went well, it was fairly short, and the theory test wasn’t difficult for him. We attended a student panel that fielded questions for an hour and that was great. He left very excited about Thornton. The wait for a decision will be tough.
Hmmm… looks like I typed the above message out early yesterday morning and never clicked send !! Just getting back to my computer and there it is… Go figure!! Trust auditions went well. Maybe it was the torrential downpour that I HEARD outside that deterred me from completing what I started 
… and so started the Bennie’s 1st audition day!
I don’t think I’ve EVER driven in rain like that before… (I just don’t go where I’m going if it’s raining THAT hard) but couldn’t cancel the kid’s first audition. Considered them showers of blessings and drove the two hours in torrential downpour to get there. When we got in the car, the Overture to Broadway’s “On the Town” was playing on Sirrius XM 72. Best. Channel. Ever for this vocalist mom. Carpool Karaoke anyone? That’s me… belting it out, going 70 down the highway… but I digress. It happens to be one of Bennie’s favorite overtures… he LOVED playing it in Wind Ensemble when they did a thingy with Broadway musicals. Took that as a sign that it was going to be a good day. Indeed it was !!! But you don’t want to hear all that so let me just get to the audition details…
SUPER organized and well run “Audition Day”. Got there at around 7:45 (did I mention the torrential downpours??) - Registration/continental breakfast, followed by Warm up/practice on schedule from 7:15 - 8:15. Since we already had breakfast (BANANA for the kid -Wonderfully calming), Bennie picked up his schedule packet and was escorted to a practice room downstairs that was HIS for the day !! read: You could leave your “stuff” their and come and go for the various events, audition, tests etc. He opted out of the Welcome with Admissions Staff and Chair of the Music Department from 8:15 - 8:30 since he had already started practicing and was getting his groove on. I went to the welcome which was followed by a Parents meeting with the Admission office staff. I got stuck in an elevator on my way up, but that’s a whole n’other story. i was just happy my kid wasn’t with me cause he would have freaked out.
9:10 - Sight Singing and Ear Training (Aural Skills) with the Professor who teaches that. Not sure I’m allowed to post this uber helpful preparation link on here but figured it’s easily accessible on the website so I can share so here goes ( https://www.lvc.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/music/prospective-student-information/audition-preparation/ ) It was VERY helpful that he had looked at it before and I had plunked out some stuff on the piano for him to do. The Sight Singing part was a bit of a challenge for him… He can sight READ a piece of music on his instrument but singing it for an instrumentalist is a different ball game. Anyhoo, he got through it and came out smiling, escorted by the professor who was taking him to his audition upstairs.
9:30 - Clarinet audition - just the flute professor, as the clarinet professor was playing a concert last night and was at dress rehearsal… typically just two for any of the woodwinds - 1 the professor of the instrument you’re auditioning on and another woodwind professor. Panel of 4 for vocal performance, we gleaned from the tour guide who was one. He likes that his professors are performing musicians but was still miffed she wasn’t there for the audition. She had emailed him previously so he already knew she wouldn’t be there. At least we weren’t blind-sided. 40 mins in that audition room !!! Apparently this was the audition AND interview portions. He was given a choice between Etudes or his selected solo pieces. He opted for the etude first (surprised since that’s most challenging for him) and said it was more of a lesson. He was nervous and of course was speeding up… she stopped him… told him to take it at a slower pace, calmed him down and had him start and play it again. She must have done a REALLY good job of calming him (well, that and the banana) cause he played two sections of the Weber Concertino (The Adagio at the beginning and the Allegro section til the end - totaling maybe 7 mins??) flawlessly, to hear him tell the story. ? Professor said WOW… and said she didn’t need to hear anything else (so no scales) and said she would recommend him for a talent scholarship which he was offered by the chair before we left!!! Exact amounts will be in a letter mailed out on Monday. Holy smokes. A scholarship On the spot !!! Then he was interviewed about what he wanted to do, what he thought his strengths and weaknesses were etc etc and then he bounced outta there… literally !!
He seriously came bouncing out all in smiles… I was in the lobby speaking with the band director when he came down. Fist bump (his way of saying he rocked it) I introduced them (had already told him all the wonders of my kid and what he had done etc HA) and he and Bennie spoke for another 15 mins, about instruments he played, what he had played, shared band stories and Bennie pulled out his resume and repertoire and handed it to him… he said “impressive” and went off to chat with the chairman of the music department. Must have been some conversation cause he was offered yet another scholarship - One for ensemble playing and a waiver of the $3,000 fee to go to London with the Marching Band IF he came to the school and joined the marching band. MB is one of his things so that was an easy sale. HA.
10:45 - Theory assessment - Nailed it ! In the packet they handed out in the morning was a Theory of 5ths music wheel which he had reviewed while he was in the practice room. Stuff was fresh in his memory !! He came out, again all in smiles and said “Sooooo happy I looked at that trial theory test last night and that circle of 5ths earlier today” And while they say this is only for placement, scores on this have something to do with the amount of scholarship when offered one.
11:30 - BM in Music department meeting with the Chair which also included a tour of the Music Department. SUPER nice. Apparently back in the day, this department/college was a Conservatory and now it’s a LAC with their music department being one of their most successful. Since Bennie is also interested in AMP, he met with that professor as well and got a tour of their four recording studios. Crazy good internships right down the road at Clair Brothers. Look them up. And speaking of internships, LVC is #1 for job placement of ALL US colleges/universities for getting a job - 96.185% !! And their 4-year graduation rate is in the top 10% of ALL colleges in the country. This is truly a hidden gem, (i’m not easily impressed and I was! )which remember was just on the kid’s list as a “trial run”. It might become a contender, who knows. As a trial run, though, it sure was a winner!!! The kid is pumped up and raring to nail the rest of his auditions. He sure needed that boost in confidence.
12:30 - We were treated to lunch in their dining hall and that was followed by a campus/dorm tour for those who wanted one. We did since we had never been there before. Done by about 2:15. Official acceptance letters are being mailed on Monday. They don’t waste any time over there!
So what were the parents doing while the students were moving between the various rooms according to their schedule? We could speak with admissions, department chair, professors who weren’t in auditions… such a welcoming and open and inviting department… most of them DMA and coming from Frost (3 I spoke with) Eastman, Julliard (CRAZY good piano guy!) AND treated to some wonderful mini concerts by the Chamber Choir, couple of small jazz ensembles and pianists. Music from the hall all day long piped throughout the building. read: you could still hear the jazz ensemble when you went to the ladies room… HA !!
Ut Oh… My message was too long… so here’s the rest of it…
I know… I wrote a book, but wanted to document his first audition and how it CAN go for those who haven’t auditioned yet and the newbies coming next year. PLUS, I was writing it in a message to @mom2clarinetobsessedkid _ Power to the clarinets !!! ( I promised details) and thought to share with all, if you chose to read. @mom2clarinetobsessedkid you want a copy/paste? ?
Honestly, outside of the torrential downpours and all the darn Wawas being on the wrong side of the street on our drive up, ( a BIG stressor for me !! - especially at 5:30 a.m. when nothing else is opened) it was a WONDERFUL first audition DAY!! If only they all would go like this… but I know they won’t. But if they do, the challenge is going to be deciding where he goes especially if all his trial auditions turn into contenders. They weren’t supposed to. He wasn’t even supposed to like the school… he did. Just going for audition experience, really, and because he band director recommended it. He worships the ground that man walks on so… Anything Mr. T says MUST be good. Hence, he applied. When they throw $$$ your way… well… Money talks!! ?? and things can change. And that school has some GREAT stats. My choir director told me today that it was on her “list” when she was looking and she ended up at Peabody!!
On to Rowan in NJ in the morning… actually it’s not til 12:30 so we can sleep in and I KNOW where all the Wawas are!! HA
So glad auditions are going well so far! @raincat sounds like USC was an immediate winner. @coloraturagirl two in one day, wow! Good luck at Northwestern!
@BenniesMom1 I absolutely adored your description! From driving in the rain — the things we do for love — to such a full, wonderful day. How exciting the instant offer/scholarships must have been! Talk about starting audition season with a bang!
Just one question, and it’s early so I may just be missing the obvious: what school was this?!! ?
It’s funny, isn’t it — so much time and effort leading to the auditions and then boom! They fly by. So many nerves, so much adrenalin. I loved your description of singing in the car. Travel time with S was a highlight for me; he created Spotify playlists for the road and we belted our way through. Good times. I loved seeing the smiles and relief after it was over and he felt he’d done well. Or even if he didn’t, that it was over. Your description really brought back, not only the stress, but the fun of some of those days. Enjoy the heck out of it—the waiting afterwards is a the real bear, I’m afraid.
And now onward and upward! What’s next for your talented Kiddos?
D returning to Bienen today after UMd Opera Studio audition, which seems to have gone well. Big gap until next round of auditions in early March. Hope that is long enough for whatever this new coronavirus is to have played itself out. Admittedly, I’m a little nervous, especially now that they claim it is contagious even before symptoms appear, within the 1-14 day period!!!
@Musicmom2two Congrats!! You should be so proud, first the big Berklee scholarship, and now EA acceptance at Frost, wow! Does your D have any reservations about committing to Berklee already? Or is she just super excited with all this great news?!
My kid auditioned EA for MADE at Frost & was placed on the waiting list. I’m not sure how much that differs from being deferred to RD, but the letter contained the same application stats; 38,000 + applications for 2,100 spots. Less than a 6% acceptance rate. Notification to come from Frost by April 1. We’re still so proud!
@MusicSchoolSeeker I’m super proud of her. She has no reservations about her decision. I still think Frost would be a great fit for her but it’s her decision. She liked both schools but feels the need to leave Florida. Which I totally understand.
I wanted her to wait until she heard from Frost about possible merit money but she does not feel the need.
Good luck with your kid’s process! I’m so impressed with the level of talent on this board. It is really great to have this resource. I knew absolutely nothing about what was required for a music major. These board have been the only place to help figure this all out.
@songbirdmama I agree- I think D and I are going to wear our masks throughout the entire airport, not just on the plane! This virus has only added to the overall travel stress and we are flying into and out of some major airports these next few weeks. So worrisome!
Thanks. Lebanon Valley College, in PA, aka LVC, also on the link in the post ?
Another great audition done today and this time, I got to HEAR all of it from my pacing spot in this BIG hallway, which was next to the parent’s lounge. Well organized as well. The professors and students he had met on a previous visit/shadow day remembered him and called him by name. Good sign and warm fuzzies for my kid. Plenty of laughter coming from the panel of three during the interview portion. About 20 mins total maybe in the actual audition? Played 1 etude, 3 scales and two sections of his solo piece - in that order… not his choice. Theory and Aural skills test in the Computer Lab with headphones - so no instructor involved. No sight reading. Piano placement test - walked in and walked out cause he doesn’t “do” piano
?
Plenty of smiles today. 2 down… 8 more to go!! IF he chooses to complete all of them. Doubt he will if the early ones make a quick decision. Hope to be able to cancel everything after Temple on the 16th.
MUCH better drive than yesterday - great weather. Only 45 mins from my house. This practice run COULD be a contender as well.
Well, back from USC! It was a very positive experience. Here’s how the day went:
got up at 6:15, we live pretty close to USC and it was a Sunday morning so no traffic. Left house before 8 and parked at 8:30. There were a few confusing things we had to do (getting to the right department, picking up practice room card, etc) but everyone was VERY friendly and accommodating and the directions in the email were excellent. No difficulties.
I left my mom at the audition building and walked to the practice rooms around 9. My audition is scheduled for 10:15. I LOVED the USC practice rooms. Mine was climate controlled, with excellent pianos, a desk, a mirror (VERY HELPFUL FOR VOCALISTS!!!), chair and music stand. Only con–the practice rooms are a 10-15 minute walk from the Thornton facilities, near USC Village. I asked a current student if there were closer practice rooms and she said no. I think I saw some closer ones for drummers, but that appears to be it.
Returned to the building at 9:45 and went upstairs as directed–was immediately greeted by a cohort of current Choral Music students at a table with “propaganda” (as called by a friendly DMA student) who then ushered me back downstairs to do some sightreading and aural tests. Got back upstairs to rehearse with the accompanist, then went into the room for the audition.
There were 3 faculty there, one of whom was filming the audition. They let me sing through both of my pieces–good sign? IDK. Then we had a short interview, which went over time, also a good sign I think. The head of the Choral dept. told me that Thornton accepts about 100 freshmen per year. For my major, Choral Music, he said 6 kids passed the pre-screen and they will accept 3 or 4. Those are much smaller numbers than I thought.
Went to undergrad Q&A panel, same experience as @raincat, my mom and I really thought the students were well-spoken and we agreed that USC is a fantastic school. Got lunch at a shop at the Village (right across the street from Thornton–very convenient!) then returned to take the theory test which I thought was mostly pretty easy.
Also worth mentioning, there was a table out with lots of snacks (bananas, oranges, apples, chips, and granola bars) as well as more “propaganda” and free cheapo water bottles. The only merch we picked up was a circle of fifths Frisbee that I thought was pretty cool and wanted to take home.
Well, that’s what I have to report. Very nice day, hoping for more positive audition experiences in the next month and possibly good news from USC by April 1!
Regarding Frost, the university only academically admits 3-4 Frost EA applicants a year, traditionally. The rest are deferred to RD. If deferred to RD, don’t be too upset. You are in good company and many academic and talent scholarships are still awarded in RD. If you are admitted EA, it is a VERY good sign that you are going to receive a nice academic and/or talent scholarship package.
Congrats to @Musicmom2two ! My S just got a different letter stating he as admitted for Spring 2021 - but it didn’t list the MADE program but the “Exploratory Arts & Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences”.
To everyone who applied to Frost, hang in there. We found the entire process to be the most confusing. It sounds like they are doing some things differently this year. Again confusing.
@MusicMomSC the same thing happened to my child. Sending you a PM.
@Racingfan53 , I’m glad you had a great experience at USC! We were lucky in that the practice room for my S was two doors down from his audition room. It all went so smoothly and we were very glad we stayed to hear the student Q and A. A very impressive group of kids. Now the long wait begins, gosh, April 1st! Last year I think it was earlier.
Just saw this .“CIM Announces Five New Full-Ride Scholarships for students entering fall 2020”
Full article below.
https://www.cim.edu/aboutcim/news/cim-announces-five-new-full-ride-scholarships
@Musicmom2two Wow, your daughter must be exceptionally talented! I would love to hear her sing! (And who knows, maybe one day I’ll get the chance because my daughter may also end up at Berklee ?)
Just wanted to note that once your daughter’s decision is made, she should let Frost know so they can open up the spot for someone else.