Nevermind! I’m a ding-dong. I forgot their pre-screening deadline is much later than the others.
I think it’s just the nature of the beast with some auditions. We have one that we will not hear dates on until 2 weeks before - and they are a 5 day window until then, so unless we make a week holiday of the trip, we’re stuck waiting. Hopefully prices won’t be through the roof when we can finally purchase flights.
1 Like
That is good to know about Curtis. Is this for all instruments? Are the auditions behind a screen?
Generally not blind auditions, but it depends on the studio. They state on the website if the first round is behind a screen.
My son (jazz piano) finally received notice yesterday that he passed prescreening at Northwestern. That’s the last one for us, all 4 passed.
14 Likes
S had his UCONN audition today, did well, few jazz kids though. The two faculty members adjudicating him could not have been nicer, one of whom was very good friends with both his HS band director and one of the professors in his college combo program.
The student before him auditioned on jazz tuba. Go figure. Only 8 more to go, not including NYU where he hasn’t heard back from yet. Their deadline is Jan 15, so he’s hoping soon after that he’ll know if he gets an audition nod.
8 Likes
Still waiting, and all days are full now. I want to schedule several auditions back to back in that week, do not realize, seems either a computer glitch, or they offer most students auditions and do not plan for many sign up.
In UM-SMTD application, could one use the same Artistic Profile when apply the SAME instrument 1st choice Performance BMus and 2nd choice Classical Performance BMusA? In application portal, one Application program is complete, but the second one is still pending/incomplete. However, it is exactly the same pre-screen requirement. Anyone have experience how to handle this?
My son used the same artistic profile. He is still waiting for response for his application for BFA and PAT. You may want to contact admissions to ask about the incomplete. My son had an issue with one application that got reinstated.
Heard from CCM today - S passed the prescreen (double bass). Working now on finalizing 4 cross country flights for auditions. Learning how to fly and rent cars to accommodate this huge instrument. Really wishing my son played the piccolo right now. Also wishing we lived in the Midwest.
11 Likes
I feel your pain… we’ve not yet flown with the bass and it’s going to be a scary adventure. I’m so nervous it’s not going to make it to its 3 destinations in one piece. The one person I’ve talked to from last year who flew around for bass auditions said it was a pretty stressful experience.
I thought booking for the cello was stressful - bass would be even harder! Hope it all goes really smoothly for you.
@stringsNkeys24 Thanks for the commiseration :). Cello is not all that much easier! Are you buying it a seat? That’s not cheap. I play the cello (just for fun) but have never flown with it. My cello teacher always bought the 2nd seat when she flew.
@Kpatterson We’re doing what we can to reduce the stress, though I’m worried after reading the posts from last year’s thread. I had NO IDEA how difficult applying as a music major would be, and just hadn’t thought through all the travel hassles. I wish I had understood earlier how hard and expensive this would all be. I’d probably still have said yes to my son, but I would have had a serious talk with him first about exactly what we were all signing up for.
2 Likes
Are you checking in a bass? Is that safe?
You need a flight case - too big to travel on board, so yes, it gets checked (all 90+ or so pounds of it, lol…) It’s a mess with TSA because sometimes they let you “in the back” to “watch them” check it and watch them put the case back together properly. It’s rather complicated. The fear is when they won’t let you back there and you have no idea if they secured the bass or the case properly.
1 Like
I read advice that said to put a note right on top of the bass with instructions about how to pack it back up safely, and begging them to call you (including your cell #) to have you do it if they have any questions at all. I’m also very worried about an airline refusing it because some employee thinks it’s ‘not allowed’. We’re only flying airlines that were recommended by our bass teacher as ones who don’t randomly refuse, but one leg of one flight is partnered with another airline and I’m worried about that leg. Could be super interesting if we get separated from the bass at some point.
2 Likes
We have airtags on the case and in the bass soft case. I still need to write up the instruction and phone number notes. We were told Southwest, JetBlue, or Alaska Airlines… we’re using Southwest only at this point and luckily have direct flights between each leg of the trip.
We’re using Alaska, but one leg is partnered with American. We’re driving a couple of hours to get to another city at one point in order to have a direct flight and avoid a tiny plane/bass transfer. Airtags are a great idea.
Oh boy. I am rather glad now we buy a seat. We toyed with an idea of a flight case and our teacher said no way. But our instrument isn’t as big as a bass. 
@rhochemEmom yes- we need to buy it a seat. It cost the same as a person in the US (although one airline knocked off about $20 of taxes). Hopefully it all goes well. The costs definitely add up!