<p>My son is also a musician. The subject of practice rooms at Yale came up a year or so ago. At that time, I found two relevant articles in the Yale Daily News. According to a 2006 article, pianos at Sprague and another popular alternative, 320 Temple, are well-maintained. Undergrads are permitted to use both locations, but there is a shortage of pianos available to undergrads, especially at peak times of the day. “Only graduate students are allowed to sign up for a time slot in one of the 14 piano practice rooms in Sprague or the 20 rooms at another building at 320 Temple St., said Thomas Masse, deputy dean of the School of Music. Undergraduates taking lessons for credit can use any vacant room they find, though they may be kicked out at any time if the graduate student assigned to that room arrives.” </p>
<p>The other article states that the pianos at another major music building, Hendrie, are poor. Hendrie was scheduled to receive a complete renovation, including new practice rooms and performance spaces, starting in 2009. I don’t know whether the economy has put those plans on hold. </p>
<p>Apparently they are going ahead with the Hendrie Hall renovation. Here’s a list of 2009 construction projects - they mention Hendrie in the 6th paragraph.</p>
<p>Dandemom,
My daughter is doing FOOT this year. I assume it worked out OK to send her there on her own and show up a few days later? We are considering that too, though we could drive if we had to (5 hours away.) Was it easy for her to get together with the folks from FOOT?</p>
<p>As for Bed Bath & Beyond - how close by is that? How about Target, Staples, etc??</p>
<p>DD did something similar as a freshman. I actually went with her on the train, came home and then drove up with DH & stuff. She DID NOT need me to accompany her. I imagined arriving at our hotel, going for one last girls nite out dinner, etc. Nah, somehow others in her group arranged meet-up so she was off with her people and I had a lovely Thai dinner alone, went to the bookstore & bought a book for myself and realized we had started a new chapter in our lives - all good.</p>
<p>thanks wjb and yalemom2 and esp. for the links! it surely would be easier to have practice rooms right there in the res. coll. does anyone think there is any point in writing about this now? i know he can apply to change colleges later…</p>
These stores are close but you will need a car. There is a four lane street, Boston Post Rd, which has a couple of Targets, Wal-Mart, Shopko, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Linens & Things, and several malls. There is a Staples within walking distance of campus. There is also an Ikea a few miles from campus.</p>
<p>stringkeymom - I don’t know about switching, but I think it might help if he could talk to other kids from his college who are music majors and find out how they handled it. Does he know anyone? If not, he could go on <a href=“http://www.yale.edu/facebook[/url]”>www.yale.edu/facebook</a> and look for music majors in Trumbull and contact them if he’s not too shy.</p>
<p>Stringkeymom - I remember when your son was deciding where he would attend you had a really difficult time choosing between Yale and Princeton. I am sure as it gets closer to the start of school you will have many nights when you wonder if he is headed in the right direction. I don’t think any school is perfect and he might have some difficulty locating a practice room in the beginning, but I am sure it will all work out. I think Yalemom2 is on the right track - look into facebook for music majors or the different orchestras. I know he will be in hot demand for many of them, some are obviously more prestigious than others, but many superb musicians work with several groups and somehow they are finding ways to practice. </p>
<p>Please don’t think about switching residential colleges. Yes, it is done occasionally, but I really think he will be happier if he stays wherever he is assigned. </p>
<p>I think you may have the worry gene - don’t be embarrassed - I certainly have it. I just know it will all work out! :)</p>
<p>Stringkeymom: I’m not in your son’s room next year (he’s actually going to be two floors above me), but I just wanted to let you know that everyone in my suite for freshman year is a musician. That means we can all bond while we walk to the practice facilities! It’s gonna be good exercise and tons of fun. Please don’t let him switch out of the best residential college at Yale! </p>
<p>P.S. look for me on move in day! We’ll probably pass each other quite a few times near the entrance to Bingham.</p>
<p>Stringkeymom, I’m just tuning in, but I asked my Trumbull S (senior) about practice rooms and he said, yes indeed there is one in Trumbull, with a piano. It’s open to any Trumbull student; just have to get a key from the master’s office. (It might be called the ‘music room’ or something like that). There is also a larger room with a drumset. Students also might be heard practicing in their suites during those first few days of auditions.</p>
<p>eating food: I agree about Trumbull being the best! It’s great that everyone is your suite is a musician–what fun! You’ll love music at Yale–my S is singer as well as instrumentalist and has been very involved in music groups at Yale. We have so enjoyed attending concerts!</p>
<p>Okay, one more hotel question. my parents looked around some more, and noticed the Premiere Hotel and Suites, which is a bit more than the La Quinta in cost and about the same distance from Yale. Does anyone have any experience with it? How does it compare to the La Quinta is terms of quality?</p>
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<p>Good post except for the bold part. I’m not sure why you feel compelled to perpetuate such a blatant falsity. ;]</p>
<p>I have never stayed at the Premiere Hotel and Suites. I think it is located just beyond Ikea. I have stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites New Haven, which is actually in West Haven about 3.5 to 4 miles from campus. The Hampton Inn had just opened last fall. It is located in an industrial area, but I think there is a Wal-Mart nearby. The rooms were large and modern. The price was very reasonable.</p>
<p>EVERYBODY: THANK YOU!!! WOW, the CC community really came through. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate hearing about the practice room in Trumbull, Clarimom! This makes the assignment perfect for my son. </p>
<p>And thank you eatingfood! I agree, Trumbull is a wonderful residential college. In fact, it was my son’s first pick and he was over the top about the assignment there. The only wrinkle was the practice room situation which turns out to be a non issue. </p>
<p>worknprogress, I am a total worry wort. What would I do without CC to vent? </p>
<p>amciw, the Premiere Hotel and Suites used to be the Marriott Residence Inn until about a year or two ago. We used to stay there all the time when S was a freshman–suites were very nice and price was always reasonable. Then it was bought out and became the Premiere. I would assume rooms are as nice still, since the website says it was completely remodeled, but I also notice the prices are much higher now than when it was Residence Inn.</p>