My son has decided to transfer to the University of Maryland School of Music. Generous scholarship, too. I’m worried about him showing up as a junior and not knowing aniyone or the ropes since we need to find him a place to live before he’s ever seen the school.
They do have housing sessions, but he’ll be off at intense summer festivals when they occur. If anyone goes to UMD, I’d be grateful for additional info.
I bet it’s a relief to have that decision made! I have experience with a non-music daughter who transferred from a super small private school to a large public university. I would say that immediately becoming involved in clubs and extra-curriculars was what helped her acclimate amazingly seamlessly and quickly. Fortunately for a music major these opportunities are built in–ensembles, combos, pit orchestras, etc–lots of opportunities for collaboration and being placed into situations where one must meet and work with others. I know that doesn’t necessarily help with the housing situation, but hopefully his transition will be easy once there. Wishing your son all the best at his new home!
Huge relief, yes. I have no doubt about him making friends once there because of ensembles, etc. The problem is he has to get a place to live first! We’ve been told to reach out to the studio teacher.
Will he be living on campus? If so, I would think the music students live near the music complex. The campus is massive. I know when my son was there last summer for NRO the fellows were housed in dorms more than a mile from the music buildings. Made it challenging. Especially with the oppressive heat and humidity.
Probably not. It looks like most students try not to as the dorms and food on campus aren’t particularly good nor good deals. They have some apartment-type things but those seem to run on year leases rather than academic year, which is odd(IMO) given they are on campus. Supposedly there are multiple campus bus shuttles from both on and off campus all of which go by the music building.
He has been told to ask the studio professor who has an out-of-office message at the moment; I’m not even sure if he knows my son agreed to come yet!
It seems as if the music school is far from both on and off campus options. I will not allow my son to stay anyplace without AC- he had AC at Gettysburg and not all the dorms were air-conditioned.
Hello, heading to IU for orientation next week. Are there sessions for parents? Thank you
Yes! If it works like the last times I did it, there are 2 days of sessions. The first starts with a convocation for both parents and students. The rest of the day you are split up and parents have their own sessions. These cover financing college, learning about the different support systems on campus etc. You don’t have to go to all of them–I definitely didn’t after my first kid. You meet back up for dinner and then separate again while the kids do the late night “fun” campus life stuff. The second day you are back together, or honestly if your kid wants, can do him or herself–getting ID, registering for classes (which for Jacobs kids is done in the music advising office with an advisor), checking out displays of clubs and organizations etc. We also did a dorm tour–these were offered the second day. Have fun! And just a heads up–my kids balked at the late night stuff at first, but the 2 who did end up doing it had great experiences! Both are still good friends with kids they met at orientation…
Anyone still awake and alive in here? I came back to the boards to see how the class of 30 is faring and I’ve been unable to find a new thread! I’m happy to start one, but I’m really surprised no one has posted for this audition season…it’s late in the game! Maybe it is titled under some name I’m not finding. Hope everyone is doing well! DD, Class of 28 Undergrad still going strong. 
I always wonder: is the music forum hard to find?
I don’t think so! I remember Googling something like, “Music school auditions help!” and finding this forum right away!
I think all of us 29er parents are just taking a deep breath after the rollercoaster we were on the past year! Time to start the Class of 30 thread!
Well, I went ahead and created a new thread for this year’s class if anyone would like to join me there. Hoping new members find us soon!
I was surprised at the same thing.
Those of you who have already been through audition season, do you have any pro tips for keeping your kids healthy through the audition stretch? I have a brass player whose friends all seem to trade respiratory crud in February. Any veteran advice? If you are unlucky enough to be sick on or just before audition day, do you just grind through anyway and hope for the best?
I’m sure the vocalists will have much to add regarding avoiding illness as it affects them the most.
My son is insistent on keeping a good sleep schedule to stay healthy. Yes, I know this is challenging with the busy audition prep and travel. As well as fitting in a little time to work out. Even if that is just a short run.
For travel itself, he will mask.
And he keeps allergy and cold medicine with him when he travels. The worst part of a cold for brass and wind players is the pressure from congestion. Be sure and try out whichever over the counter medication you will use. Some have side effects which increase nervousness that may be worse than the cold symptoms.
My soprano recommends getting a flu and Covid shot before audition season. If she becomes sick, she increases the amount of fluids and steams using her nebulizer. She tries not to use any over the counter medications (or use them very sparingly) because they can potentially harm her voice. For audition season, we made sure that she had alternate repertoire that she could perform more easily if she had a cold.
It’s definitely more of a vocalist thing, but saline nasal flushing daily can definitely kill something before it latches on. I’m not a singer, but I do this many days a week and especially if I think I’ve been exposed or I have traveled. My singer (and I) mask up on flights as well.
Best of luck!