We have a Shar Lion viola case and it has plenty of interior storage space, plus a detachable music case. Unfortunately, it has only been two years and all the velcro is failing. We’ve also had issues with the straps falling off. We are also looking at the Bam High-Tech contoured case and are probably going to go with it. My violinist has had a Bam case for 8 years and it has worked perfectly with no issues.
Great! Thanks for the input, everyone. We went with the Bam hightech contoured case and are looking forward to the added protection and reduced weight!
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I would love anything you can share! We are so behind. My son is a rising senior and all he wants is viola performance and everywhere suggested by his teacher is so far out of our financial reach. I don’t know where to look since he is refusing to look anywhere other than where she suggested. He wants driving distance and we are in central PA.
Not a viola parent here, but just a few thoughts:
Is your son’s teacher experienced in placing her students in performance degree programs? If so, she should have a good idea of the studio levels and faculty at the schools she is recommending. In other words, an experienced teacher can really help to target programs where your son has a reasonable chance of acceptance. Some also have insight into how generous programs with merit/aid money. So that is a good place to start.
I would suggest that you and your son meet with the teacher and discuss potential schools and budget. The teacher can hopefully also add a few to the list that would be affordable even without merit aid. This does not mean they are inferior programs by the way.
This worked well for us as we were also chasing merit. It is wise to hold the line with respect to budget as it allows your musician so many more opportunities in the future.
Has your child attended summer programs? That should give him a good idea as to where he falls in the general scheme of college and conservatory tiers. Once you know that, you can plan a selection of schools that are targeted to not only be the right level but also be competitive for financial aid.
Remember that violists are in high demand. If your violist picks the right level schools to apply to, he is likely to get significant merit aid. This does often mean going to a school that is a tier down from what he can get into (without much or any merit aid). Having said that, it is fine to have some reach programs on your list because you never know exactly how much financial aid you will get. My violinist kid (the one I went through the college application for already – my violist is 15) got really great financial aid packages from all his match and reach school, but only 50% tuition at his safety school. Go figure.
Also, there are a number of tuition free programs across the country that span multiple levels. Only one would be driving distance from you (Curtis), but there are several others. Your son may want to audition for several of those programs even if it means being further away if the level of school is more important to him than geography.
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