S ended up.doing all his auditions but after getting an acceptance in mid-Dec he ended up just not finishing apps that didn’t need a pre-screen, and declining to schedule one live. He really got away with having an easy schedule, his list was very short to begin with and got shorter! So only three live auditons.
I really feel for all of your kids with lots of travel. In a way it’s exciting and I am sure they learn a lot as they go along. My S really knows what he wants, and luckily wasn’t shut out.
Re weather, It even poured in Miami earlier today, bad weather everywhere it seems. Thinking good thoughts that the NE weather is enjoyable and doesn’t cause any problems for our intrepid CC auditioners.
It didn’t sound like they had any vocalists with my son’s group, he did end up going first. I think they stayed to hear the second round of kids but maybe are on their way back.
He met up briefly with his HS friend who goes to Frost and met some of his friends, he said it was a really nice group of kids which is always good to hear.
Well, now it’s just the waiting game for us. I will just be busy cheering on everyone else.
Straightforward Bienen audition. Checked in at the lobby, pointed to where practice rooms were (took awhile for us to find an empty one), then to teacher’s office. No panel, just one on one. Each student had 15 min for their prepared pieces. I listened outside the door again and heard the teacher yell “bravo” at the end. I was getting teary eyed because S sounded really good. S thought he did well too. Didn’t get to watch any performances as S wanted to be well rested for audition. Phooey.
One student we spoke to applied to 49 schools (!!!), of which five were music schools. He should’ve just rounded off to 50. Crazy, esp compared to the three schools to which S applied. He submitted to Temple after all, so just a recorded audition left.
We are happily back home and looking forward to a week without travel. This all seemed so glamorous when we first started planning! Five of her six live auditions are done, and the last one is on 2/22. Then we wait for the acceptances and financial aid letters.
We’re already thinking that we will have to go back to some of these schools for more information if they end up being serious contenders. Those of you who have been through this, did you go back to any schools for a longer look after being admitted? How did you decide which ones to re-visit and which ones to let go? I am a “more info is always better” person, but the cost…
On our way back from Audition #5 @ WVU where my son called me out of a meeting with the dean ‘cause the instructor wanted to speak with me . Huh ? That’s different . Anyhoo, ran up 4 flights of stairs to see what Dr Weigand wanted me for . Well, he wanted to tell me in person how my kid did, what he needed to work on going forward , and that he was IN, but not at his preferred major of instrumental performance ??? Since my kid is interested (passionately ) in video game live orchestration, he suggested another path of B.A in Music with elective studies - digital music or something like that . He also wanted me to know that he would be recommending him for a talent scholarship for that , which wouldn’t be as much as the full tier scholarship for performance . Uhmmm OK ? At one point I may or may not have said to him “Show me the money and you can have my kid to mold “… ? Wondering if he remembered that and that’s why he called me up ?? Dunno…but moving right along . This was somewhere around 4 or 5 on my kid’s list. It didn’t change after yesterday like I thought it would . He was NOT at all happy with his audition ( didn’t get to play all that he normally plays - not even a chromatic scale which he worked hard on perfecting to highest notes in a range he’ll probably never play in the real world ! ) @mom2clarinetobsessedkid details were for you mostly Anyhoo, he somewhat felt that all this meant he wasn’t good enough for a performance major and that busted his ego somewhat . He’s 4/5 acceptances into all the music programs he’s auditioned for (and one we haven’t heard from ) so he’s not pressed, so to speak . And WVU was lower on the list, so … Moving right along !! Three auditions this week - Tell SOM at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Mary Pappert at Duquesne and Boyer at Temple. THEN we’re done !!! All the other ones were cancelled.
@runninglate , haven’t gone through the process but had planned to whittle the list down to three ( based on preferred instructor, financial aid packages and location ) and attend the Accepted students day at those three. My son is a very “feelings” kinda guy and I trust his gut on picking the right fit based on the time spent there . We shall see.
I’m seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel . Of course we’re driving home now and my son just throws out “ Mom, you know, there were no tolls on the way to WV !!” OY … I wish I could get in his mind for a minute cause he obviously has the place on his mind and mulling things over. The journey continues …
I just picked up a “ Hotels - Coupons” book from a rest area on the National Freeway -I-68 . That’s how we’ve rolled for most of the audition journey. I see posts about booking way in advance and such. Since we’re road runners, this book IS my booking in advance . There’s ALWAYS been a deal somewhere, even when there’s a Steelers game in Pittsburgh type situation . Just thought I’d mention that for those who will be starting the journey next year . www.travelcoupons.com or some similar such book . Always a deal… even last minute … even if you’ve booked in advance to be on the safe side .
@runninglate D had 6 acceptances out of 8 auditions. Not all had financials in at the same time, but we did have some idea that all 6 could be afforded, so she prioritized them best to worst. She ended up with two schools that seemed equally appealing, so we revisited each for additional lessons, auditing classes, and exploring the towns. One was a drive and one was a plane ride. We did it over spring break so she didn’t miss any more school. She had a strong affinity for one teacher, and made her decision after those visits and the process outlined below. We figured an extra plane ride and hotel stay was small beans in comparison to 4 years tuition, room and board!
But how do you prioritize schools without revisiting? Some places gave her names of existing students, and she chatted with them about the program and student life in general. She looked at sample 4 year academic schedules, and found some places had a LOT of non music requirements (which could be good or bad, depending on the interest of your kid). We had a frank talk about going to school far from home, and the cost and independence that would entail. And some of it is just a gut feeling, where she thought she fit in or didn’t.
Speaking of deals… instead of ridesharing or renting cars, S and I have been using the Pace bus route 250 from O’hare to Bienen for $2.25/person each way, no transfers except to take the free shuttle from the airport terminal to parking lot E where the Pace bus stop is. The bus lets you off at the CTA Davis Station, about 10-15 min walk from campus, depending on where you have to go, and an even closer walk to the hotels in which we’ve stayed. The first time we tried to get to Bienen, we went all over O’hare for over an hour trying to find the bus stop, but now that we know, it’s SO easy and cheap. When I checked the time it would take to go by car, the time was 51 minutes vs. 1h 15min by Pace bus, although yesterday was a Saturday and only took 53 minutes. However, do check the schedule as I noticed there were a few times where the bus didn’t go all the way to the airport. It does take you through varying neighborhoods that other folks may not feel comfortable with- I grew up in Philly and love to people watch so not a problem for me. The bus gets crowded during the week, but since O’hare and Bienen are the terminus in each direction, we always get to pick where we want to sit.
Another deal that we’ve taken advantage of is signing up for frequent flier miles and credit card points- this last visit was a free flight (so we splurged by upgrading to premier class which gave us more leg room and allowed us to board earlier and thus not worry about overhead compartment space for the bassoon) and free hotel night. Sweet!
Anyone else with other deals they’ve learned about for future reference?
Back from Blair. It was a long drive. We were very lucky with the weather. There was some snow in Nashville on Friday morning, nothing major. They were very organized. Everything was on time. Composition interview was one full hour. I was impressed because all the other school interviews were usually 20 mins max. He came out smiling. Teachers seems to be kind and caring. They have need base and merit base scholarships. My understanding every auditioned student already entered for merit scholarship. Music students can double major with exception of engineering. Seems like a nice school. Music building is in the southern edge of campus. Students are expected to live in the campus for four years.
Next weekend we will be heading to Peabody… Good luck to everyone who is auditioning today and next week.
SUPER HELPFUL INFO !!! Thanks for sharing . I’m all for using PT to save on taxis and such . I’m not hip on Uber yet ?
We don’t have any auditions scheduled in NYC, but we do go there often enough to know. If you’re driving, drive to Metro Park NJ, ( BIG transit hub with $8 all day parking ) …take the NJ transit train and you’ll be in NYC Penn Station in 30 mins . PLENTY of taxis and Ubers right outside but you can just continue from there and take the Subway wherever you want to go whenever you want to go there !! Waaaaaaay quicker than driving around in a taxi ANY day !
Stay on Staten Island and save TONS of $$$ on hotel. Beautiful ferry ride into Manhattan and take the Subway to wherever you need to go. Bonus: Ground Zero is short walk from that station. If you wanna stay IN NYC , on the weekends, the hotels in the business district / Wall Street area, are mostly empty on Saturdays so are much cheaper . Use the subway to get around .
For super cheap flights, fly into Atlantic City Airport and take the NJT into the City !! This works for if you’re going to Florida as well . Flights to Florida are dirt cheap from AC . Super cheap flights from there to Midway into Chicago as well. From Philadelphia area, it’s less than 45 mins drive to that airport and parking is free !!!
Agree with most of these but, as a lifelong New Yorker, I would never fly to AC to save money. It’s a miserable 2.5 hour ride and there are at least four airports, including Philly, Trenton, Westchester as well as Newark and LGA that are closer and offer great deals. You can also drive to Secaucus NJ and park for a very quick (10 minute) ride into the city. Bolt Buses and their ilk will get you anywhere on the East Coast for under $50. Hope that helps.
Agreed 100% about not flying into AC for New Yorkers. The AC airport comment was more for those in the Philadelphia area and further South with that less than 45 mins drive for that half price difference deal ? West Chester has an airport ??? Who knew ? Not me, that’s for sure . Now I do !
Parking at Metropark is waaaaaaay cheaper than Secaucus for some odd reason. My son was a baby/child model before school started interfering ?.. so we were up and down that NJ turnpike ALL the time and know all the cheap spots. We used to do Trenton but then they jacked up their prices and it no longer was worth the extra time it took on the train . Anyhoo … check into Public Transit is the take away from all this . ? By the way for reading , we live in Delaware, as a reference point . Used to live in DC area and used the same tricks , though we moved to shorten the driving time when the kid became busy for a while there . Ah the traveling memories . ?
@Doransa were you referring to double majors or double degrees (with the exception of engineering) at Blair?
@Bennie’smom is your son passionately interested in music production, digital music, or the various other names they use for that field? Some of the schools he is looking at may have programs for that, or electives at any rate. In fact, Peabody (not sure if you are going there) has a new program. Sounds like he is headed for a performance degree but availablity of courses in that area of interest might be a factor in choosing
@compmom what I gathered is: students can complete a second major other than music. They only graduate with one degree, either BA or BM; it is double major not a dual degree. The whole process is designed to be completed in 4 years.
Also another interesting thing is that in the dorm they can’t be roommates with another music major; they mix them up.
That’s a toughy. He’s passionately interested in video gaming orchestration… LIVE orchestration… which doesn’t quite fall under any of those other names used for that field, so to speak. At least none that we were able to glean. I should say, none in the area which he is looking. I selfishly limited him to the East Coast, which has PLENTY of options. I HAVE to be able to go to concerts and see my kid on a whim. It’s just he and I , so we’re a team. No need to break up the team drastically if not necessary. But I digress… like I said… Selfishly, but he doesn’t want to stray too far away from his Momma either, so it’s mutual. Anyhooo, On the West Coast, such a thing exists. The closest he has found to meshing his two loves, performance and gaming, has been at Mary Pappert School of Music which has an “Institute of Entertainment, Music and Media Arts” . Even that, though, seems more “commercial” music entrenched than classical music which is his thing. https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/music/iemma/about-iemma .
Duquense IS towards the top of his list BECAUSE it has that gaming proponent. Haven’t been able to find that at most of the places he’s auditioned ? They DO have the digital music, or whatever name is in use at the moment, proponent (I can’t keep up either ?) but not the gaming side of things. He’ll probably settle on doing part of his dream major (which doesn’t really exist) now, and pick up the rest in grad school. Will have to look at Peabody’s new program though he’s also anti-conservatory - feels that he’ll miss out on the TRUE college experience, whatever he’s envisioned that to be in his mind. For the future, though, that could be an option. Thanks for the heads up.
Good morning. I am just checking in. I’ve been following all of the audition journeys so far. I’m not going to lie. It feels good to not be making all these trips right now with the bad weather, flight delays, flu season etc but part of me (and my son) wonder about other schools he would have auditioned at and how he would have done. He put a lot of work into all of the applications and pre screen videos etc that it seemed like a waste to withdraw everything. He did however, save me a ton of money lol. He is very happy with his choice and is going to admitted students weekend in April and will maybe get a private lesson and check out the music programs futher. Anyways, I am still here cheering you all on and can’t wait to see the rest of the acceptances rolling in. Good luck to everyone!
Good morning @tubamama - I think you and your very talented son are just having a mild and early case of a variety of “buyer’s remorse,” which usually crops up here on the music major forum once decisions are locked in around May 1.
There is always a little second guessing about school choice, which is normal, and wondering if you got the best financial package… also perfectly normal but really difficult to evaluate as there are so many factors.
But I think a huge part of this “feeling” is the return to normal life after the whirlwind of the whole undergrad audition process and the unique experience that you get to share with your almost out-of-the-nest student. The journey ends for everyone eventually, you are just a little ahead of most here.
You are right that it was a lot of work for your son to put together all of those applications and prescreens and no doubt he would have received a lot of praise along the way.
I think it’s wonderful that you are here to support the other families still on the journey. Once he’s on campus in April you’ll both be all smiles!
@songbirdmama - SO helpful. Thank you! So far, none of her schools seem to be the unicorn - a 100% perfect fit - and trying to figure out what negatives and positives are most important is hard.
Back from Vanderbilt- very happy overall with the experience. Despite missing Friday’s activities, we had an educational weekend. D was about 70% capacity in voice with the cold/cough recovery, yet at the end of the audition she was asked to come back for a private lesson. They all seemed interested in her as a student and singer, and asked a lot of questions. Theory and sight reading were more comprehensive than at other schools; her theory test was an hour with an “advanced” section she chose to complete. We loved the campus, the people, and overall vibe of Nashville. A few vocal students performed for families and shared a lot of insight with us.
This weekend is Northwestern and U of Houston. Two more weeks of travel and we’re done! We are opting to submit a few video auditions at this point - enough travel and expense by now.
D and I loved Eastman. The snow was falling the entire time. We took so many pictures. The day was rather long with an early audition time and late afternoon group interview. We filled in the extra hours observing the orchestra rehearsals and eating at Java’s. D was in heaven. Both orchestras were fantastic. We saw almost every part of the campus and it’s pretty big. The theory test was quick but not easy. The practice rooms were mostly full and it took awhile to find an empty one. One part I really liked was the stress free zone. They had a bunch of tables filled with markers, coloring books and play dough. They had movies playing at two ends of the hallway and I enjoyed myself watching Coco. Anyone going to Eastman should expect a good experience. We’ve got Frost coming up on Friday and it’s an easy 90 minute drive from home so I’m letting my husband have a turn.
Anyhoo, he somewhat felt that all this meant he wasn’t good enough for a performance major and that busted his ego somewhat . He’s 4/5 acceptances into all the music programs he’s auditioned for (and one we haven’t heard from ) so he’s not pressed, so to speak . And WVU was lower on the list, so … Moving right along !! Three auditions this week - Tell SOM at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Mary Pappert at Duquesne and Boyer at Temple. THEN we’re done !!! All the other ones were cancelled.