Class of 29 Undergrad/Class of 27 Grad: All Things Related to Music School Applications (prescreens/tours/interviews/auditions/supplements/etc)

I wonder if your musician might consider adding a couple more programs… I don’t know anything about The University of Ottawa, but all the others on the list are very competitive from what I’ve read. Depending on instrument, some programs might only have limited spots open.

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This is a great outlook to have for these upcoming months. Mine too approached the application and audition process in this way, keeping an open mind and a sense of adventure.

While the pressure can be intense, if one can frame it with excitement and learning about programs while growing as a musician and person, it is such a positive experience.

Looking forward to hearing about the journeys for this upcoming class.

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After quality research and trial lessons, a list of 6 or fewer schools to apply to can lead to a very manageable prep workload, good quality prescreening recordings, and high quality auditions. 2 years ago my son applied to 4 schools, all accepted. He said all professors told him that he had improved at auditions (late January to late February) comparing to his recordings (all done by mid October). His best friend applied to 6 schools, also all accepted.

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My son pretty much did that UG. I think he had 4 or 5 (I really don’t remember), and yes, it makes the logistics easier. His approach was he already had an idea of the teachers he wanted to study with and the programs, he knew a lot about them because he had been around a lot of music students and pro musicians at all levels and yes, it is easier (also nerve wracking of course, because he could have struck out of all 5; I think he went 4 for 5).

The idea of applying to more schools is generally rooted in the logical assumption that it will increase the odds of admission. The problem is both logistics, and also applying to programs that may let you in and in the process mask your real level of playing. Plus it is logistically difficult, because of audition rep and the actual audition cycle, so there is a case to be made for less is more. (And like everything else ,there is no magic golden rule with all this, just my 3c worth)

TMV-
That is something that Juilliard and other conservatives tell prospective parents, that even merit scholarships are need based, that everyone who goes there has merit. It all depends on the school, yes, there are schools who give merit that isn’t tied to need, but with the big conservatories that is what they directly told parents in meetings I was in. The meeting at Juilliard I was in, with the head of admissions, was basically “don’t even bother appealing your aid or complainng about the cost,if you need to take out loans”.

It all depends on the school, and obviously I cannot talk about every music school out there.

I appreciate the idea that we may be aiming high- we’ve looked at many types of schools and locations. Long story short, he doesn’t want/need an American safety school. The different potential environments are of interest to him to explore.

University of Ottawa is a good school and he has friends there studying music already. We know the cello instructor he’d work with there is excellent. Of course he would need to be accepted there as well.

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Just anecdotally, I do know a Juilliard student who appealed and they came back and offered merit. It was not a large sum, but the appeal did get them something.

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I agree with Barbassmom - these schools say “only need based” and imply that merit is hard to get, but depending on the instrument, I know many kids who have gotten half to full tuition at schools like Juilliard, Northwestern, Rice, DePaul, and Peabody - none of these kids were in the “qualifying for lots of aid” category. Most got extra money by appealing, right down to nearly full tuition on April 30 before decisions were due.

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Does anyone know a merit award range after audition for Belmont University?

That is possible. It probably does vary by instrument and teacher as well. Agree it never hurts to appeal decisions, and anything I write is about experiences I saw, which obviously is limited.

If you’re looking for information about merit scholarships I think it’s best to look at recent history. Things change fast and vary based on student, instrument, department, studio, etc. I’m sure people can reach out directly to parents for their experiences… I got a lot of help from people and would be happy to offer the same!

(Thank you to @TigerLily52 for keeping this updated last year)

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As many have said, it will not matter for Oberlin, but it could at Case. I didn’t catch his major so if it’s any kind of BM or BA it may be overlooked with an otherwise strong profile.

I hope some of the veterans on here, or those of you past this point, can help us out. Our son is trying to record his prescreens and I really feel like he is letting the perfect become the enemy of the good. He spent hours recording this past weekend. Hundreds of takes and not a single one was good enough to keep. He is working on what he thinks is his show piece song, and has been practicing it since early August. I also think he is dealing with imposter syndrome.

The stress level is through the roof right now. Anytime anyone of us has input, like “that sounded great!” he gets angry and frustrated, because we have no idea, are not musicians.

Since he is applying to contemporary programs (guitar) his teacher and peers don’t have a lot of input as they have not helped many kids in this area.

Does anyone has some words of advice, or just support? Do these prescreens have to be absolutely perfect? He is most worried about Frost and USC.

Thanks :slight_smile:

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I’m no musician.
I think prescreen recordings don’t need to be perfect. My understanding is that the purpose of prescreening is to demonstrate that the musician passes certain threshold and is worth a chance of audition. Spending too much time on prescreen recording would take away time to practice for audition. Also, one would want to sound clearly better in audition than in the prescreen recording, so a stunning recording may not play in favor. I believe the prescreen recordings are being evaluated alongside the applicant’s musical resume, so it’s not the only variable to consider. It’s important but not vital.

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Your gut is right. There is no need for perfection in prescreens- they are for the faculty and admissions staff to see your student’s proficiency level and get a sense of whether they want to see more at an audition. They want to know that the student is “teachable”.

This process is a slog and prescreens are only the first phase of a long road.

That said, I like that your son is taking care to send his absolute best. He just needs to take a breath and press send, and let go.

It’s tough, we all know what you’re going through!

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Teachers are NOT looking for perfection. He will not be perfect…and if he was…he could start his career. He wouldn’t need a teacher.

Teachers will look for students that they can help grow. My D’s UG teacher told her once: you reminded me of myself when I was young. I knew that I could help you.

If there are imperfections…they are probably common to his age group…and what they’ll be working with him on his college. He just needs to show his talent and skills as they are.

I’m not sure if you can reframe it in his mind. Also giving a heads up to his music teacher to see if they could reinforce the message that…perfection is not necessary. He should be aiming for authenticity. Does it sound like him…on a good day. That would be the best pre-screen to send.

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To give you a baseline, my son recorded his prescreening for jazz guitar in a t-shirt with his phone in our unfinished basement in a couple of takes on the last day before the deadline (yes, he was killing me–hahahaha). Yes, he practiced but he didn’t obsess. I, after going through this process with his older sister (a vocalist) who is a perfectionist who did multiple takes in a performance hall with decent recording equipment, did not put much hope in his passing his prescreen. And I say prescreen because he insisted on putting all his eggs in one basket–it was IU Jacobs or bust for him. He passed! And went on to audition and be accepted. As my husband says “perfection is the enemy of completion”. Being a type A myself, I get your son though–haha. Feel free to share this story with him:).

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Thank you everyone! I will definitely pass along that prescreens do not have to be perfect and that professors are looking for someone they think they can teach. Someone brought up letting his style shine through (or something like that) and that really hit home for me. After recording over and over I feel like his joyful, love of music can’t be coming through.

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Share stories of what successful students did. Suggest that he take a break. And suggest he set a time limit for his recordings…to see if that would work better for him.

Again AUTHENTICITY. Does it sound like him and look like him…on a good day. He needs to be honest about himself so a teacher see him and thinks…yes I can teach him.

My D’s first recordings (before iPhones…dating myself) was in a cinder block room at the high school with a basic device. Her teacher told her that another student passed all pre-screens in that way. We listened after and thought it was “tinny”. Again her high school teacher assured us it was OK. I spoke to her private teacher and (without listening to the recording) she offered up their recording studio at the school with better equipment (for some money…not too bad). We did that. She had 30 minutes only. The equipment was much better. She picked her favorite and that was it. Looking back she would have probably been OK with the first one…bc it did show her beautiful voice and I think teachers can hear around the equipment. The point here is she only had 30 minutes. None were perfect and she passed every pre-screen.

I’m hoping with some rest and reframing of the purpose of a prescreen…he can take another shot at it…and show his best self. No teacher is looking for perfection!!

Edit: And yes, showing himself through a little style is a great idea. Again if that is comfortable to him.

One more edit: My D says about acting: everyone knows Hamlet. You should basically know how to be Hamlet in the play. But what makes Hamlet interesting over and over…is what the actor brings to Hamlet (from deep inside themselves). The teachers will want to see what your S brings to the music that is uniquely him. It doesn’t have to be something grand…he may not even not what that is yet (that IS the purpose of college). But there will be a unique signature in his playing. If he suppresses that with perfection…why would anyone want to listen to his music? That’s boring. He NEEDS to be himself. Again he may not know what is unique in his sound, presentation…but the teachers will. So tell him to be himself!

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Totally get it!

  1. not sure when deadlines are but I think he has time… Maybe take a break before trying to record again?

  2. if not his teacher, is there anyone else he trusts to say “good enough”? Our D recorded most of her prescreens with the teacher in the room, and sent a few more for him to review online and help choose. She definitely didn’t trust us (parents), we’re not musicians.

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