As the audition dates for the 24-25 admission season are announced, I noticed that many schools have the same dates (of course, there are only so many weekends in Jan and February). So, inevitably, we must do some auditions online or send a recorded audition. I would like to know if anyone has any thoughts/advice/experience about whether there is any known disadvantage of a virtual audition or any specific schools they know of that might have a preference towards in-person. Of course, I do understand that an in-person audition is the best if possible and we will try our best but there are already some conflicts that I can see that we canât change. I also noticed that some schools already mention that a virtual audition is acceptable, which shows their acceptance level, but some others do not even mention a virtual audition, kinda showing their preference for the in-person version. Here are some potential schools I am interested to know about:
UIUC, UWMadison, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, UC Irvine, U of Washington (Seattle), U Colorado Boulder.
Also curious about what other students are planning to do. Thank you.
Although my S22 was unable to do any in person auditions due to covid, I believe that since the pandemic, institutions have become much more flexible and understand that many families cannot afford to travel to auditions. Thus, I believe that a virtual audition, if they offer it, is treated as the same as an in person audition and you wonât be âdingedâ for not being able to travel to every audition.
That said, perhaps prioritize your first choice schools as those you would travel to so that at least you can tour and get an in person trial lesson from faculty.
On another topic, I saw your other post from months ago about MT-- since that time, Oberlin has announced that they are adding a MT degree as part of the Conservatory of Music, with its own faculty. It will be a BM degree. Oberlin is not part of your list, but thought you might want to know about it in case itâs worth consideration.
One of the schools we visited (I think it was Oberlin) said they treat virtual auditions the same as in-person auditions and that there is no penalty for doing one over the other. And I do think schools have learned how to make virtual auditions work well over the past few years.
However, my my daughterâs rich, mezzo-soprano voice comes across a lot better in person and loses some dimension in recordings, so our plan is to audition in person at her top schools, and possibly do virtual if there is a conflict with a school that is closer to the bottom of her list. Fortunately, most of the schools in the same geographical area have coordinated their dates so that we can knock out several auditions in one trip (weâre in Texas, and the schools sheâs looking at are mostly in NY, IN, OH, and PA), but we will still be making multiple trips to the east coast to make it all work.
Over time, recorded auditions have become more common, at least on this site (probs due partly to the pandemic, new technology and now equity issues - this is a very expensive endeavor so schools are trying to be sensitive to that). Schools have said for years that they will treat both the same. My D did get an acceptance from a recorded audition.
Some advice:
Be open to it and positive about it. Practice with the technology early as it can get busy later.
Wait out any pre-screen results. You may have only a few schools to visitâŠbut most likely sheâll pass manyâŠand then you will need to decide. If she passes all, you would most likely be safe to do a few recorded auditions at schools that become less interesting over timeâŠor are simply impossible to visit. Itâs NOT easy. But many people here have had to make such calls (in exhaustionâŠor povertyâŠor dwindling interest as maybe an early acceptance came in).
Have your student still communicate and show interest at schools with recorded auditions. My D did tell one school she simply didnât have the funds to travel (it was for grad school) but was interestedâŠand exactly why. I have no evidence that it mattersâŠbut I want to believe that it is better to âcommunicate and do a recorded auditionâ than just send one off with little to no communication.
Every month, the path will become clearer. Good luck!!
Edit: I do mean recorded or virtual depending on whatâs available.
I can speak to UIUC and their classical and lyric theater auditions. My daughter was on her high schoolâs dance team which had a heavy performance schedule at the same time as most college auditionsâJan and Feb. So, she chose to do a live audition for UIUCâs early action audition day in early Nov. She auditioned for both VP and LT. The great thing is that she had her results in late January (she was accepted) which calmed a lot of anxiety going into the rest of her auditions. She loved her auditions there and would say they were her best of the entire process. She did not end up there due to cost, but she had a great experience (she chose an in-state option insteadâIU Jacobs). If your kiddo can be ready by then, you might consider that option. Last year that audition day ended up on the same day as one of their lyrical theater performances which we stayed to seeâthey offered free tickets. It was fantastic.
Agree that virtual auditions have become more common. When my kids were applying, schools would accommodate conflicts. You might want to ask. I am too far past the application process to know if that is still a common practice.
I had 2 kids audition voice, one pre-covid and one post-covid. Both did have some online auditions. The tone has definitely changed with regard to online auditions. But that said, I totally agree with whoever said above that I think singing in person shows your skill off better. And as a student, I think mixing with teachers and students and getting a vibe for a place can be clarifying too. Each of my kids had a school they went to audition day that instantly became a nope, this isnât for me. The school my first kid didnât like was a school on the final 2 for my 2nd kid. So thatâs not always easily predictable. Each of my kids was able to do 6 (I think, possibly 7) in person auditions with clever scheduling.
Now all that said, itâs hard to know based on this list what may be safer for you especially if you are hoping for merit money. Maybe one of those publics is in state for you. All I was going to say is if you are invited to audition in person everywhere, going in person to a safer option as well as reaches can be a good idea. Vocal programs are just all super competitive and it is entirely possible not to get in to a program you think is safer. Iâve seen it happen, in one case to one of my own kids. But to other auditioners too. If you have the ability to be full pay all of these places, maybe you donât need to think too hard about that end of it.
I have a kid that attended UW Madison. I could truly write poetry about that school, exceeded expectations for sure. You are welcome to message me if questions about it pop up through your process.
Some schools allow you to schedule an alternate audition date. Two of my DDâs prospective schools allowed her to come in during the week. I would reach out to some of the schools on your list to ask.