I don’t envy all of you still waiting for prescreen results and thus making last minute and more expensive travel arrangements. When my DS went through auditions 4 years ago, he had all prescreen results well before the winter break. This was IU/Jacobs, NEC, USC, UMich, Juilliard. Curtis did not even have a prescreen submission for his instrument.
Even so with a couple of months to plan, the travel agent (me) had to scramble.
Interesting that the results are seemingly so much later.
Regardless, I know you and your musicians will rise to the occasion! May the weather cooperate as you embark on your journeys!
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Anyone out there hearing anything from Curtis yet? With auditions in just about a month, it’s the last program (of 13) that my D (MM Voice) is waiting to hear from.
Invited to the Juilliard audition this evening. MM in composition.
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Any jazz folks heard from Peabody yet? The website says “about a month before.” We’re not quite there yet, but it’s definitely holding up travel arrangements for other auditions. It’s the only one we haven’t heard from.
Highly recommend the Thai place on 4th about a block from the Sample Gates. The Runcible Spoon is a great, quirky little coffee shop on 2nd also about a block from campus.
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I went to Samira (an Afghan restaurant) when I was auditioning at Jacobs and it was absolutely amazing too.
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We are waiting on Curtis too for double bass. The auditions aren’t till the last week of Feb so I’m expecting/hoping to hear from them in about 2 weeks
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Nick’s Hut on Kirkwood is a big sports restaurant/bar. Many dignitaries that visit IU stop there, sign a picture that goes on the wall (Presidents, sports figures etc). My D was there one night (not watching sports) when an IU bball player hit a 3 pointer to win against (Kentucky?) and the place erupted and everyone went streaming into the streets, dancing etc. it was general mayhem from the videos she sent me. My D joined in the fun. Even though she wasn’t that interested in some of the big campus “stuff” she did enjoy being adjacent to the hoopla and participating from time to time. I do know that IU does attract musical guys that like sports.
One other comment about big Us (not trying to push them but explain a point to those interested): I went to see my D in an opera. We met in the morning for coffee by the music school (Soma, I think). By that time, I would recognize a friend or two of hers just walking around by the music school. My D pointed out a Japanese TA at the coffee shop that was helping with the opera. My D is half Japanese. Then we went to lunch later…and there he was again eating lunch. For dinner (again by the music school) we joked about seeing him. Just as we were paying our bill, he walked in for dinner! After the opera, I was waiting for my D…and guess who walked by.
The point is that these schools can seem really BIG. However the music schools can become pretty intimate fast. My D used to go for coffee on Kirkwood sometimes to try to get a break from music 24/7. I have said before: pick a school that will provide some FUN since the music portion can be all day long and intense!
I hope this is helpful…not just about IU…but schools like Michigan etc. And thanks for letting me walk down memory lane.
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I love this!!!
This is exactly why my son decided he didn’t want to apply to berklee- he wants the full college experience in addition to music. Jacobs, Frost and Michigan are top of his list-
And I love what you said about the music schools making these larger schools feel more intimate. I was definitely getting that vibe and I’m so glad to hear it’s true!
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This is SO true. Mine is at North Texas and he enjoys his college experience and break from music 24/7
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DD has a number of live auditions scheduled, Eastman, Peabody, Northwestern, Oberlin, and we are considering recorded auditions for schools that did not require prescreens and are not as selective. Is this a mistake? She also did two live auditions for EAs in the fall, and the additional time and expense seems daunting in the coming weeks. We would visit afterwards if she got in though I am worried it would affect acceptance or merit aid. Any thoughts?
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Paging @KaylaMidwest for input on VP recorded auditions.
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My son is not VP but he did do one recorded audition for his undergrad and that was the school that offered him the most money. I’d think that if prescreens were not required, the schools are more in “recruiting” mode (they likely don’t get as many applicants) so I personally would not want to spend the money to go there unless it was a top contender school (in which case I would want my son to see the place in order to help him make a decision later).
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My son was invited to the Juilliard audition last night (Cello, BM).
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I do not feel that doing recorded auditions when offered is detrimental. You can only do what you can do in terms of funds for travel and time away from school and I really believe schools know this.
Your DD has some great auditions coming up- toi toi toi!
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Vanderbilt out yet?
Thank you all for the great advice!
Nothing here yet
@oboemom2 I feel honored that you tagged me! 
So we had 2 kids go through vocal auditions. One was double degree pre-covid. That process just felt way different than the straight music kid that just went through last year.
Your daughter has had a great run with prescreens @operalovermom ! I’m sure she will have great results. Do you have a reasonable offer that could work with the EA auditions she already did? If so, I would definitely prioitize those reachier ones, submit your virtual auditions and see how things come out.
Based on our experience last year, my only thought is, if you get a good offer that may be of interest from a school you didn’t visit for an audition that you are interested in, reach out early, try to get an online lesson, visit if possible. We just had a situation where my kid got an offer from an online audition that may have worked out and as a parent I would have liked in the running (affordable, reasonable distance from home, nice amenities). She had a teacher reach out and back and forth email with her in the last couple weeks from thre and it just was too late for it to have a sample lesson, learn enough about the program, etc. Both my kids ended up at schools where they got a lot of proactive direct and personal attention from faculty and really good financial offers. But I do agree since covid there are a lot more students submitting virtually and teachers are flexing more on that now. I definitely didn’t get that vibe prior to covid. I’m pretty sure my vocal freshman could not be any happier than she is right now and that came with a great financial offer, so all is well that ends well!
Good luck everyone! It’s making my toes curl a little remembering waiting for prescreen results and setting travel plans in place. Some of these do seem so late! We made such amazing memories on these trips though, very fun!
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Blair pre screen passed 
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