As the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to shift to online environments and remote work, I wanted to let you know our staff and faculty are fully committed to issuing undergraduate enhancement awards as scheduled and are meeting online to make determinations and hold on-going discussions. As an accepted music student, you are guaranteed the Lead with Music Scholarship which covers 50% of undergraduate tuition all four years of study. If you are selected for an enhancement award, you will be notified in a separate letter. These prestigious awards begin to be issued Monday, March 23, 2020 and award offers can and will continue through the end of April.
Not from anyone on your list, but my son got this email today. I know there’s one other person here looking at Duquesne. So, they’re pretty much right on schedule with what we were advised when we visited.
My son had his first clarinet lesson in Zoom yesterday. Sounded GREAT… and he even forgot he was in our living room. I was out running but popped in (quietly) to get water and realized his instructor talks… a LOT ? I never got that sense for the times I’ve met him. Anyhoo, it went VERY well according to my skeptical kid. So, clarinet lessons, at least, will continue without skipping a beat. My mom said I should ask him to decrease the $70 per lesson fee since it’s not in his studio and we’re using out own space and electricity. ? I’m not going to do that, but I like the way she was thinking for a minute.
Our local hospital is sponsoring local musicians (who have had all their gigs canceled) and they are live streaming performances each night so we watched his old instructor play . How cool is that??
We shall get through this just fine !!
Just wanted to post for future reference for the next class. Duquesne is a GEM of a music school/program with GENEROUS aid.
@BenniesMom1, my D received the same e-mail from Duquesne yesterday. Good to know that the standard music scholarship isn’t the end of it. Regarding the great-sounding Zoom lessons, what is your son’s audio and camera setup? My D just has her HS laptop with a built-in camera and speaker right now. Not sure if that would be “great”.
Is there anyone who’s been to Peabody who would share info with us? It’s one of two schools that we planned to visit in April if my daughter was accepted, and we’re pretty much giving up on that happening.
No audio and camera setup of any kind here… He did this all on his iphone. He Facetimed me to make sure the camera the phone, placed on the piano, would capture his entire self/stand etc - it did… then he logged in with his teacher. I never saw whatever he was watching but I could very clearly hear the instructor every time I walked in… both speaking AND when he was playing/demonstrating. And the great sound I was referring to mainly was my kid playing in the living room ?No special equipment needed. Now, who knows what his instructor on the other end was hearing. But apparently it was good enough for him to correct mistakes and such.
And yes… definitely looking forward to whatever the “enhancement awards” bring… starting Monday. Yea !!
I’ve had Skype and zoom meetings, and they can be harder than face to face! You have to talk louder, it’s harder to demonstrate, plus there are audio and visual inconsistencies to deal with. I think teachers, musicians, food service people, and anyone who is facing a loss of income needs more support, not less!
I haven’t been to Peabody with an applicant, but the kid and I have been there several times for student concerts and absolutely LOVE the place. Hallowed Halls always comes to mind when we’re in that building. Sadly, it didn’t get on his list cause it was a conservatory. We’ve gone to concerts during the day and the evening (parking is horrible… only bad thing I have about that place). Folks have always been super nice and accommodating to my kid’s million questions he asks when he’s in spaces like that and such. Our church choir director graduated from Yale and got her Masters at Peabody Conservatory a few years ago and went went to several of her concerts as well as some where she was accompanying - she’s a pianist and organist (AND vocalist, I think… but not sure if she got a degree in that). If nobody responds, I’m sure she’ll be happy to write some details about the place for your daughter if my kid asks her. Let me know. I’m sure she’ll even be happy to chat with your D. It’s not like we have choir rehearsals or anything anymore.
My D’s primary teacher moved during the summer between her Junior and Senior years of high school. They set up zoom lessons, but until we purchased a proper microphone, a nice webcam, and the fastest available internet package, they had nothing but frustration. Good luck to everybody going forward online!
WOW… interesting since he needed none of that and wasn’t advised that he did. Infact his teacher said “He can do it right on his phone w/ no problems”. Apparently he had done lessons with applicants before that way who didn’t want to make two trips to the university… one for lessons and another for the auditions. Wondering if maybe location had something to do with it since his teacher is right down the road? Or maybe your D’s instructor wanted top notch equipment for recording purposes? If my S sounded as well as his instructor sounded on his phone on the other end, then I personally see no need for any other equipment. Even a couple of his auditions for orchestra and a Master class were recorded on that same phone and those videos were sufficient. He passed the auditions, so. We do have speedy internet cause I work from home so that helps since he uses the Wifi on his phone when he’s home. To each their own, I suppose.
@BenniesMom1 oh, there are so many variables. Teacher did expect top notch sound (major audiophile), but the internet lag was the worst part. I believe that has more to do with our service provider!
If people can make it work with their phone, that is awesome, though! And congrats on the auditions!
any of you hearing anything from Miami/Frost yet? I have a friend who’s son got a giant bump from Berklee in his portal this morning. No notification whatsoever. He just logged in and saw his merit award increased almost 70%!! They haven’t heard from Frost yet.
@SpartanDrew nothing on Canelink that I can see. That portal has always seemed a little confusing -i remember the green circle thing, but where did it appear? I’m viewing this on the Canelink Mobile, are things easier to see on a laptop?
Hope your daughter is doing as well as can be expected. This is sure hard on performing arts students.
Thanks so much. I’ve booked her on a flight home today. Crazy times. Her flight is almost totally empty and right now I’m hoping it won’t cancel.
On the main portal page right below your kid’s name and address a new section will populate and that’s where the green check (hopefully!!) will show up and say admitted next to it. In years past some people got the circle days before everyone else and usually meant deferred or declined. Keep us posted and best of luck!!
@SpartanDrew I’m glad she’s on her way home, fingers crossed for no cancellation! Thanks for the green circle info. We haven’t had the mental bandwidth to remember that from years past. What a different landscape from the fall when we were worrying about pre-screens and audition logistics. Sigh.
@raincat it sure is. I’m so sorry your high school senior is ending the year this way. SO disappointing. I feel the worst for the high school seniors, college seniors and college freshmen going through all of this. Important senior milestones and achievements/recitals/capstone projects cut short and freshmen moved abruptly out of dorms. So sad…
@SpartanDrew : Empty flights last night when a child of mine flew back from grad school via LAX. Southwest 737 (not Max), with 7 people aboard… plus crew. Airports may be pretty safe places to practice and experience social distancing now. All the food places were closed - only thing open was a news stand/convenience store.
