Long time reader, first time poster. I wanted to chime in and say thank you to all the fabulous contributors to this forum for the last few years. Without your generous, thoughtful, and knowledgeable advice we would not have made it this far in this overwhelming and complex process! My d and I returned from Chicago and are organizing ourselves to head off to LA for her last few auditions. Very excited to be close to done with this phase of the journey. Wising you all success in finding your best fit!
Okay folks. I’m going to weigh in on the comments regarding Vicky Bussert and Baldwin Wallace. This rumor is literally posted ANNUALLY. I’m sure that gets old and frustrating - VB has invested blood, sweat and tears into the program, and it is one of the premiere places to study MT. Current parents here on CC are willing to dispel myths and certify facts, so just reach out to them! And many department heads, including Vicky, will gladly do the same - so just email them and ask! That’s what we did the year my child went through this crazy process. For those who are annoyed with her FB post and the subsequent comments of her friends and colleagues, put yourself in their shoes - wouldn’t you want to set the record straight once and for all? Why is it so wrong to interject a little humor into an annoying situation? I thought some of the comments were kind of funny, and not genuinely painting CC parents as a bunch of wackos in any sort of serious sense. I don’t see it as a red flag at all. I do see the issue it has become as an indication of being a bit too sensitive. Anyways, off my soapbox now. Just remember to breathe. And smile. Break legs to all of the kids going through audition season!
@32barMom Syracuse isn’t known for being super warm in the room. I have a friend in the program who said in his audition they did not give him any adjustments, ask any questions or try to talk to him at all. Full disclosure though, I personally found the room a little weird too. Auditor basically told me I was singing my song “wrong” (in a different style than he wanted?), not really sure what he meant. Left the room feeling kind of weird, but brushing it off:)
@32barMom my son didn’t say anything negative, but he didn’t say anything about the Syracuse audition… at all… even when I tried to drag it out of him. I think that means he wasn’t confident coming out of it. I liked the information session before (it’s nice when schools do this) and it is definitely towards the top of his list so I guess we’ll see what it all means.
@32barMom My son had a great experience with his Syracuse audition.
…aaaaaaand the controversial post has been taken down!
@beachymom - I totally agree with you - Victoria Bussert has EVERY right to be annoyed by rumors and I am glad the record was set straight.
Bussert has taken down the post. Perhaps various commenters (heads at Pace, Syracuse) didn’t want their CC disses public - recognizing (as noted by @DramaQueen219 above) that this forum is pretty much the 1st thing that comes up when you google theater at ANY major college. Or maybe the person who SENT her my post (who obviously uses CC) didn’t want it to come back to them… who knows. Anyway - it made for a fun day!
@toowonderful very entertaining and the rumor has been debunked. win/win!
@toowonderful your username was in the post!
I get her point of the post, and her wanting to set the record straight. But the subsequent comments after (not hers) make the people on CC look like a bunch of Yentas who make up stuff. If they commented on how neurotic and obsessive we parents are (during the process), I’d click the :)) emoji in agreement.
I think we can all relate to a similar situation within our own professions. I’d never be able to publicly state on FB that the people on Rate My Professor are ridiculous, with my fellow educator friends chiming in. Especially if my page was public for all to see. Someone would have my head, even if I was the head of the program (there’s always someone above you).
having said all that, I don’t see this as ‘red flags’ for those programs. They are human, with feelings and opinions. It’s just risky when you express them publicly.
They probably don’t care what we think, but I only know most of their names, programs and schools because of CC and I’m guessing that is the same for many that pay them all those atrocious audition and coaching fees.
That’s how many of the schools ended up on our radar, BUT then we did our due diligence with additional research and fact checking. My daughter was completely crushing on Vicky after meeting her at the audition. We got a WL up until the last week of April and it was probably the only other school that would have been able to woo my daughter other than where she ended up. I think it’s one of the reasons everyone keeps the rumor going, although there are plenty of other fantastic program directors out there. ?
@MTBackstagemom Congrats on finishing!!!
Just a thought on the VB post. VB is known for putting a great deal of time and energy into the kids she has offered admissions for the upcoming year. I am sure it would be VERY frustrating to have these students worry that she won’t even be at BW when they are concidering their options. I know my kid would possibly pass on BW if he thought VB wouldn’t be head of BW anymore.
Just as a perspective: think of all the college professors, friends and coaches who DID NOT post a comment on VB facebook post .They may have held their tongue (or never seen it) We will never know. But there are so many eyes out there. We all need to be mindful of what we say
OK, anyone out there who did OKCU MT or acting audition? My son has an audition on 3/2 and their requirements are going to require him to learn new material :-/ One MT is not prior to 1970 and they require a 3rd vocal piece labeled a “classical or art” song? Can anyone share what they performed or give any tips?
@pegski Yes, that is common, and especially for BM schools.
Lots of options for Golden age. Most voice students start out with art songs or arias to train. But, there are books for sale on this genre. Check out the Hal Leonard website?
@loribelle, I’m sorry, but what is a BM school?
Bachelor of Music
Thanks! Been in medicine for 35 years, so when I hear BM… hahaha
@pegski - I have always thought that the WORST acronym in the college game. Now, on the other hand, I have a BS - so at least that part is truthful 
Hahahaha @pegski - yeah, I’ve definitely thought it must be tough to put that credential on your resume. I think I would spell it out. When my D took classical voice she learned several “art” songs - classical italian arias. I was told just about every voice teacher out there has their students learn a couple. Your son might know some already?
For musicals after 1970 - wow, so many great ones! But my mezzo D would’t have any material suitable for your son. 
You did say “not prior” to 1970, did you mean “prior”?