As a side note, and not in relation to your son at all since I don’t know him, for some talented musicians I know, the BA or BS route in music or in something else entirely, while doing lessons and extracurricular performance, has worked really well and some have gone on to grad school or careers in music.
Oddly, I know a saxophonist who ended up doing pre-pharmacy but won a music merit award at a university!
It sounds like your son is headed for a good BM program though!
I’m not a musician…… but musicians are different. It’s punishing in a lot of ways- if life takes them a different way, they will know ant the right time. Even if they only do this for 4 years, what a gift it would be!
No one really thinks about what us moms go through. It’s the worst.
All I can say is - having been through it twice now and on my third ‘tour’ - it all works out how it was supposed to in the end. Hang in there. <3
sometimes it is hard to figure out why a rejection comes. It is ok to feel bad as a parent. My vocalist daughter had quite a few rejections during undergrad search and a few during grad search. It often comes down to what slots are available at the school for a particular voice or particular instrument. For my kid the rejection process is helping her understand how tough her field will be when she becomes a professional. Thick skin along with your own personal drive is how you have to approach the world of professional music. Don’t give up. Just use as a learning tool.
Ah i feel your pain - sorry for the result; def its about studio size etc not talent; for some studios they may take one or none in a specific year as they balance numbers across years/ug/pg. But yes it hurts to see them have a rejection but dont doubt their talent and passion
I like to think of it this way. It is a no…today. That does not mean it will continue to be a no sometime in the future. It just means not ready YET. We often forget these are really young people in the general scheme of life, and that a no now may very well turn into a yes in the not so far off future, maybe even for graduate school?!
I felt much better emotionally this morning after a good night of rest. My son is fine! Whoever said that the yeses come after the nos was right on the mark. My son received two acceptances today- one from Ball State and the official from SMTD at U of Michigan. Still waiting on U of Illinois, Butler official acceptance, and CCM. And ofcourse, waiting on financials. Thank you all for your support yesterday, I am truly appreciative.
Love this! Butler keeps rising to the the top of his list. He really likes the viola professor, but he also the conductor of the orchestra! Remind me what your daughter is applying for? UIUC is my Alma Mater, we enjoyed audition day there. The weather was nice and we had time to walk the quad, see my old apartment, and even caught some live music at the union.
Voice at Butler. Still waiting for her audition results. I also know a current piano student there, and he loves it. At U of I she auditioned and was accepted to their fairly new Lyric Theatre program which cross trains musical theater and opera. U of I was super welcoming, and my daughter loves the faculty she has met there. And wow! Krannert Center is something! Would be amazing to perform there!
My music composition son decided to go the BA route, applied ED2 to Wesleyan (he is particularly interested in film scoring so maybe will minor in film) and was accepted this weekend. It was a bit hard to let go of CMU where he had a great interview (though who knows if he would’ve gotten in) but I just mostly wanted to say I’m so glad I stumbled into this site and if my son decides to go to grad school for music composition I will know just where to go!! You all have so much info and are all so supportive. Best of luck to all!
Hang in there. It can be tough for both our children and us parents. But it’s good that he seems to be okay about it. No matter what he is a valued musician and I’m praying you’ll be able to help steer him.
It was a really fast decision given that he was there less than two weeks ago.