@delynnel my D and I were just at Bienen last weekend. We were extremely impressed by the facilities and the excellence of the program. At this point I can’t imagine committing to a school without seeing the campus and having a lesson. We have a few schools we couldn’t visit either because of conflicts or D completed a regional audition (Oberlin and CMU). D is a vocalist, but either way in terms of music Bienen is at the top of our list. D was uncertain about it before visiting but now she knows. I think plan a trip in April to be sure -if you can do that.
We loved Evanston; the campus was new, modern and safe. The lake view is stunning and inspiring and despite the cold winter weather, I think my CA girl would be fine there. We both want a rigorous academic environment as well as a strong music school. Good luck!
Oh thank you @coloraturagirl - good to hear this! I think you are right, I’ve been thinking, if it comes to decision time, and Bienen offers a good financial aid package for example, then a trip down might be necessary. It was so helpful to actually see the other schools and get a feel for things.
@SweetStrings It’s my first off as well (17 year old son!) and I have to say I’m almost thankful for how busy it’s been with all the applications and auditions, so I don’t have time to really think about what’s ahead. Although, I do think about it a lot when I wake up in the middle of the night sometimes…
I know everyone’s different. I myself still love the environment, students, staff and performance venues at Eastman the most. However, for my S, Bienen was the only school where his eyes were wide open and where he was busily taking pictures of the campus. He did this the three times we checked out campus (tour, sample lesson and audition). We visited other prestigious schools, but only at Northwestern did he do this. That lake view is incredible- and we’ve gone there during three different seasons. Not sure about the level of playing, but the teacher for S’s instrument has impressive credentials (Curtis grad and former Chicago Symphony principal).
Good luck to everyone as we (hopefully) enter the home stretch! You are strong, well prepared, and exactly where you are meant to be! You’ve got this! ???
I’ve been MIA on this post for months. Looks like there is good news everywhere. Congrats to all!!
We are def in the home stretch here. D has had an interesting ride. Originally Oberlin was THE school to beat. She attended their summer program last year and absolutely loved it. But as we got closer to audition time, reality of $$$ started to set in. There is no way we could pay the anticipated cost. She chose to forgo the audition and move on to other more affordable options.
We are located in the Kansas City area, so there are several small liberal arts schools that specialize in Music. We visited…she hated them all…except Drake (in Des Moines). Drake isn’t really known for it’s Music Department, but has some great Vocal teachers and has an amazing new Choral Director. Her audition there was very warm and welcoming. She loved it. I thought we were done.
She had two other auditions scheduled, Loyola NO and Ithaca. She wasn’t excited about either. The week of the Ithaca auditions the Flu hit our house. We had to cancel. Then a winter storm hit and we had to cancel again. Never ended up going.
She and my husband headed to Loyola NO. No excitement at all. D just wanted to get it done. THEN she had her audition. They were lovely. Enjoyed her. Said really encouraging things. She toured the French Quarter and was lucky enough to watch the Chewbacus Parade. She loved the campus and the beautiful area. She had THE FEELS.
So here we are. Drake and Loyola. Drake’s scholarship was extremely generous. It would be $7K/year cheaper for D to attend Drake. But…we believe Loyola would provide more opportunities…and is in general a better VP school. We have petitioned for additional scholarship money. And we wait…
@musicmom2two that’s great to hear. I think D will love it. She has an adventurous spirit. I love that NO is so different from the midwest. Def something totally new.
One of my concerns in NO is the safety. From what I gather the area of Tulane/Loyola is pretty safe?
@3gigglinggirls uptown is definitely safer than other parts of NOLA. But you still have to be very careful and be smart about walking alone at night. There seems to have been an uptick in crime this year by The Boot which is on the other side of Tulane from Loyola. So yes- I’ve been nervous about it. But I wouldn’t have discouraged her from attending.
Auditions Withdrawal - It’s a thing !!! ? First weekend in a over a month we haven’t been on the road ! I’m in DC to play for a funeral and my kid called me to ask if I felt “weird “ . Sure feels different . I left him at home taking care of his grandfather cause my mom is with me and he’s called or texted several times to tell me he felt strange being at home with absolutely nothing to do! I told him he could pick up his saxophone and practice jazz ensemble music… HA. Left his music AND saxophone at school. ( he’s NEVER left his clarinet at school - hmmmm ) “Where would we be if I hadn’t cancelled “ , he asks ? I dunno kiddo - We’re DONE and I blocked it out - I lied ? cause I know exactly where we WOULD have been . We’re both just going through a bit of withdrawal . This is normal, right ?? No regrets on the cancellations. I get to go to my best friends birthday party tonight in VA and I had already told her sister I couldn’t make it . But, I CAN, AND have a nice chill glass of wine or two or three . No rush to get back to DE. Withdrawals be gone !!
Performers were amazing. Great school. Small town. Interview went fine. They invited 30 students for the interview. They will make an offer to 6 students. We will wait and see. Happy to be back home.
Well, D had her last audition at NEC this am. Gorgeous campus, formal atmosphere, and located in a beautiful area of Boston. Lovely old building and easy to picture being a student there. We may swing by Tufts to check it out on the way to the airport. We definitely love Boston. No time for a trial lesson, though, as the teacher of choice was busy. That makes it tough to gauge how she would do at the school, so we’ll see.
In terms of Eastman, D and I were very impressed with the resplendent theater and elegance of the building. They made a concerted effort to welcome students with a talk and string quartet performance. One thing that makes Eastman stand out also is their sample lesson policy- they made it so easy to do with an entire email inviting students to schedule one and listing faculty. Also -teachers made themselves available on audition weekend and at the reception- everyone was SO friendly and invested in their potential students. We were so appreciative of that and D had a terrific lesson which made her more at ease about the school. The practice rooms are a bit old and not soundproof (neither are they at NEC) but the performance spaces and friendliness of the staff makes up for it. She had a theory test & group interview at Eastman as well.
We may do a residence tour and opera studio info session at NEC if we can drag ourselves away from our coveted table at Starbucks. We are completely shot right now.
In terms of pros and cons at this point, location is one thing to consider. It’s harder for us to fly to some cities versus others; she won’t be able to come home on short breaks like Thanksgiving for some schools. Also- if she gets a role in a show I’d like to be able to attend (isn’t this what we pay for with all the lessons and tuition?). The other big factor for D is size of the program.
Bottom line is there is no use in wondering or stressing until the final letters come in. We did all we could and spent a ton of time, effort and money in the process. There may be a bit more to come if we need to see another campus or two after offers come in.
We. Are. Done. Back home tonight and then we just wait like everyone else
Happy weekend! This is my first post as my D only applied to 7 schools, and only 1 audition based for popular vocals so our journey has been uneventful and not much to share, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your journeys! I’d imagine I would have a lot more questions and answers if she applied to the few other audition based programs available for popular music, but either she didn’t want to go to that school or they would not have given enough in aid/scholarship. If she doesn’t get into her first choice (the audition based, where they do give large financial packages), she has already been accepted to 2 other schools with programs that interest her and we can afford. Long intro, sorry. Here is my question:
D had incredible feedback at her audition for her #1 choice for popular vocal performance. Both auditors gave her their cards and said to email them, not the admissions director, if she had any questions. She sent thank you emails to the head of the program she applied to and the director of popular vocals (they were the auditors at said audition). She received replies within the hour that were very complimentary, urging her to keep in touch through the process and to email them directly with any questions. This was a month ago (decisions come out mid-late March). Should she send another email to keep her fresh in their minds? Reiterating that it is her #1 choice dream program or anything else? Also, she would not be able to attend without a talent-based scholarship. Director of admissions said financial info was not shared with those making the decisions on talent-based scholarships, it is need blind. In the audition they asked her what it would take to get her to come to their school, and she did not mention scholarship (not that she should have). Should she mention something in the email about it IF she indeed should send a follow up email, about the need (in a tactful way) or does she just leave it all alone and wait? Thanks in advance!!
We are done as well. Thank goodness. My daughter is looking forward to a month of hanging out with friends and playing her sport regularly. Not to mention the new rep she can now tackle!
The school visits were tremendously helpful for giving shape to her college future. I know how fortunate we are to be able to make the ones that we did - not everyone can. I think that she can see herself fitting in almost anywhere, so now we wait for the admission decisions and financial aid. I have made all of the spreadsheets that I can possibly make to help us with the final choice. I’m going to have to find a new outlet for my nervous energy.
I should also add that the string quartet we saw at Eastman was stellar! We could hear everyone singing/playing throughout the building and it definitely sounds like a true classical conservatory. At D’s group interview, the faculty member told the kids that 25% of kids come from abroad.
I had a full circle moment sitting outside the room when D was having her lesson. On Saturday mornings, there are half a dozen toddler and kid music classes offered in the Eastman music building. Rochester is keeping the music tradition alive, for sure. As I sat there, I remembered all the years of baby and me classes I did with my little ones- Music Together, Gymboree, you name it and we did it. My opera singing D was always serious about her music- even at 15 months old. As I sat listening to her soaring scales, I recalled all the times she marched up to her teacher as a baby and requested a different song to sing…lol. She never wanted to wave the scarves or rattle the bells- that baby girl was always about the voice from Day One on this earth. I sat there the entire half hour just basking in those memories ?
Thanks as we WOULD have been in the homestretch if we weren’t DONE !! There - if I keep saying it - it’ll be a stark reminder . We are DONE !!
Next week Eastman.
