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<p>I’m really stuck on this line. I guess it never occurred to us NOT to take the teacher’s advice. 
[insert embarrassed shrug here] For people who claim to be independent and anti-authoritarian, we certainly trusted in the professional judgment of our music teachers … even when we disagreed with them. (One violin teacher had a strict “no high schooler shall play Mozart” rule - don’t ask!) </p>
<p>We’ve always taken his advice before, but I was thinking if a particular song really resonated with my son and he felt he played it better with more passion, would that be the better piece? Of course, he should be able to play all the pieces well, right?? 
I do see your point. No Mozart in high school?? Ok, I won’t ask. </p>
<p>If he is taking a full year of Community College coursework, will he be applying as a freshman or as a transfer student?</p>
<p>And he is homeschooled? Just a caution that SOME schools do set a different academic standard for homeschoolers where test scores are concerned.</p>
<p>How old is he? Is he a young senior where a gap year could make more sense to give him more time to figure out what he wants?</p>
<p>I will reiterate - do not rule out any college because of cost until May 1 of senior year. There is ABSOLUTELY no way to know what it will cost. For instance, Chapman gives a lot of students a lot of money. SDSU and UCSD are not known for music performance. If he’s serious about studying music in college then have him miss school to meet with teachers and visit colleges. That’s just what has to be done. Think of it as an investment which could bring significant merit money. And, if he’s serious about music I say it again- don’t pick a school at this stage for sticker price and proximity. Pick it for the program.
As for those pieces- they’re both concertos that players of all levels play, including relatively beginning cello students, so whichever he chooses make sure he plays it to the best of his ability. </p>
<p>SpiritManager nails it.</p>
<p>I’d listen to cello teacher about piece. I think the boccherini is not considered challenging enough. If in doubt, just email cello teachers what your repetoire is and ask if appropriate. </p>
<p>What about SanFrancisco conservatory? Are they known for good aid?</p>
<p>Where is a list of what concertos is considered advanced and particularly good for auditions? I was much more familiar with violin and as I (think) I said, my son isn’t sure he wants to major in music, but it is under strong consideration, so this is a pretty new endeavor. I don’t think he’s opposed to any concerto, but he might not be ready for the really advanced pieces (and what are they, btw); I really don’t know. I don’t attend his lessons nor attend to his practices, so I really don’t know.</p>
<p>His teacher probably has good ideas, but he’s a Suzuki teacher by background and is more laid back than your traditional Russian or Asian teachers. My son was not ready for that kind of teacher, but as he’s considering music, he realizes it may be time to experience other teachers. My son has struggled with not feeling good enough in most areas of life, and it’s only since he joined a very selective local strings and soloist ensemble last year that he’s beginning to believe it might be possible, with a lot of hard work, to major in music. But it’s not the only major he’s interested in. I think I mentioned he’s interested in industrial design, game design, and possibly engineering if he can conquer his math disability with accommodations.</p>
<p>UCSD and SDSU are on the list because they are local and affordable. </p>
<p>I realize we shouldn’t rule any school out, but my son’s energy and our finances are limited, so I am really trying to be realistic here. As we don’t really know how competitive he is, (and from what you’re saying, his concerto choices are ones that beginning students play, which is weird because I’ve never know beginning students to play concertos, but maybe I am limited in exposure; usually, concertos come after at least several years of hard training) I don’t know the best way to guide him.</p>
<p>Yes, he’s a homeschooler/part time community college, though this year, as of now, he’ll be taking 13 units in the fall and 12-14 in the spring. He will apply as a freshman as he won’t graduate from our private high school until nest June. I realize some colleges might peg him as a transfer if he takes more than 11 units, but most don’t care.</p>
<p>His SAT is 2230 and his gpa overall is 3.95 and current 3.79 at the community college (he has one B in trig). He is scheduled to take two, maybe three SAT subject tests. For sure, he’ll take Math II and Literature, and possibly Italian in December depending on how well he does in class.</p>
<p>I honestly don’t think he’ll apply to any conservatories this year. He is not committed to music. And we talked about the fact that, as a musician, he may need to teach and he doesn’t enjoy teaching. He taught a couple of students for about a year but decided it wasn’t for him.</p>
<p>So…I really don’t know what to say. That’s why schools with a more liberal offering of possibilities seems to make sense. Not that he could get into any top schools, but those are the kind of schools that seem to offer a student a chance to change majors and hone in on something by junior year. The state and UC schools are more rigid.</p>
<p>I’ve also looked at Christian schools since some of them have strong music programs, but I don’t think there’s enough aid and he is hesitant to attend one, though we’re a Christian family.</p>
<p>Oh, and he turned 17 at the beginning of summer. We are proceeding with applications this year, but he will possibly? likely? take a gap year if possible. If he bombs in admissions, which is totally possible given his background (course work is not all that rigorous due to disabilities), then he’ll reapply to colleges next fall.</p>
<p>Please don’t make the mistake of equating “Suzuki” and “nurturing” with “less competent” or “less competitive.” Many Suzuki teachers prepare students to high levels and have high standards; they simply incorporate the philosophy in a more mature way for older students. Yes, some students respond better to a more “challenging” model, but for others, a more supportive environment works best. (This is one good reason to take a sample lesson!)</p>
<p>I’m relatively unfamiliar with the cello literature, but here’s one list graded by difficulty (I’m sure there are others). A student playing a relatively “easy” concerto well can still be admitted to a fine institution. <a href=“http://www.allthingsstrings.com/layout/set/print/Repertoire/STUDIES-GUIDES/A-Guide-to-the-Standard-Cello-Repertoire[/url]”>http://www.allthingsstrings.com/layout/set/print/Repertoire/STUDIES-GUIDES/A-Guide-to-the-Standard-Cello-Repertoire</a></p>
<p>I think you misunderstood me. Boccherini isn’t for beginning students. It is usually one of the first concertos assigned for advancing students. Your son’s teacher knows your son’s technical and musical ability and is assigning him accordingly. My son has a very laid back teacher too. His students work hard because they want to not because they’re yelled at. And he put no pressure on my son either. I do think my son needs a little more pressure but that doesn’t mean his teacher isn’t good. I think it’s a good sign that your teacher is speaking up about what piece to play.
Also, if you want to build your son’s technical ability, look into some cello workshops or short string workshops. My son did those this past summer and they were a great technique and confidence boost.</p>
<p>Also. I have yet to meet a strict russian cello teacher. My son has a Russian teacher who is a nice teddy bear and has had many sample lessons with Russian and eastern European cello teachers who also are absolutely kind and wonderful. Is this not the norm? </p>
<p>cellomom6, regarding the Boccherini being for beginners, I believe the OP was responding to SpiritManager’s post stating, “As for those pieces- they’re both concertos that players of all levels play, including relatively beginning cello students, so whichever he chooses make sure he plays it to the best of his ability.”, not your post. Btw, I agree with your advice!</p>
<p>Would he like to apply to a university or college that does not require auditions or supplements? It is possible to have a senior year that is relatively stress free, by applying to only two to four well-chosen schools and entering as an undecided. Of course you would want to make sure he can pursue interests there.</p>
<p>I think it might be more worthwhile to expend limited energy on figuring out what is happening with physical and emotional health, versus preparing an audition or DVD. He can continue to grow musically and audition for ensembles once on campus.</p>
<p>The most well known violin teachers around here are known to be strict, yes. I don’t know many other cello teachers, to be honest, except for one who’s British and very nice. </p>
<p>My oldest son was a violinist and took from an amazing teacher for several years who really helped my son develop technique…but I would not call him kind and wonderful. LOL My son cried after his lessons for a month or two. His last violin teacher, the one who actually directs the soloist ensemble that both my older boys were/are in, is definitely kind and wonderful.</p>
<p>You know, there was a great cello workshop two years ago at USC-some sort of audition only in celebration of Rostopovich (sp??), I think. My son’s teacher encouraged him to audition but my son wasn’t at a point of doing something like that, confidence-wise. His summer chamber music program was very challenging. The Brahms piano quartet was very challenging, according to him. He played four chamber music pieces this summer, with fiver performances overall.</p>
<p>My son’s teacher is a symphony member and has been around a long time, so he’s pretty “in the know” as far as famous cellists/ teachers, etc. around our area. He recommended schools for my son that included Vanderbilt, Oberlin, Belmont, Univ. of Pacific Conservatory, and Univ. of Hartford Hartt school.</p>
<p>Don’t know anything about any of them except I’ve heard Vandy is <em>extremely</em> competitive.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link to the cello rep! That’s helpful to see what he has and hasn’t done. Though he’s been playing since he was 5 1/2 and progressed quickly through Suzuki in the early years, he’s taken time off at different points to deal with diabetes, eye surgery, and some other health issues. So, while in theory he’s been playing for 11 1/2 years, in actuality, it’s probably more like 10+ years. He goes through stages where he practices a lot and then not much at all.</p>
<p>One thing he has always been able to do is a long practice session, whereas my oldest son had a very short attention span and never could go much beyond 45 minutes.</p>
<p>compmom, the low energy is an ongoing thing, possibly related to diabetes and some undiagnosed thyroid issues. That’s the biggest issue besides the math disability. I don’t really know what to do other than further specialized blood work.</p>
<p>Some of the schools such as UCSD don’t require an audition. Other possible schools on the list, if he’s looking at other majors, won’t require an audition. I really don’t see the audition as all that stressful. Playing cello is probably the least stressful thing he does, so I actually think maybe working toward the audition might be good for him. His symphony doesn’t start up until some time in September, so he has time to work on this now.</p>
<p>But, if this semester proves to be too hard academically, he might not record.</p>
<p>Ah, it’s so good to be so certain of everything! :-p</p>
<p>If he is unsure about music as a path, is he looking at schools for industrial design or does he prefer to remain undecided? He might fall in love with some other area of study, who knows. Is he eager to apply to conservatory? Or feeling that is something he “should” do? Is he afraid that not applying would mean wasting 10 years of work? (there are other ways to look at it).</p>
<p>Low energy obviously has many causes (including high and low blood sugars of course). If it is adrenal-related, then stress will make it worse. Alternative/integrative docs can be helpful. It is possible that the low energy will continue to be chronic but perhaps with the right doctor(s) it can be addressed-? Has he been checked for Lyme with a Western Blot? Has his ANA been checked? If his thyroid is low but undiagnosed, some supplementation may help (and should perhaps include T3 as well as T4). Saliva test for adrenal function, elimination diet etc. Herbal adrenal support or even low dose cortisol might help. Or a better SSRI. I am just hoping he can improve but know how hard it is to deal with all this and get it done.</p>
<p>Anyway, I don’t see how he can make informed decisions as long as he is fatigued. Then again, perhaps he should make decisions that are based on possible better health, meaning not just close to home.</p>
<p>I don’t see how a gap year could be clarifying concerning music and think exposure to many subjects while at college would possibly be more clarifying. That said, he could conceivably develop a passionate desire to do music in the next 8 months and so including conservatories would perhpas prevent frustration next May 1.</p>
<p>But it is a lot of work and stress for a kid who isn’t sure at all about doing music performance.</p>
<p>UCSD sounds like a great choice. I am curious about people saying it is not good for performance, since, along with Harvard and Oberlin, it is top for a certain aesthetic in composition, presumably with great musicians available. I would love to know, myself.</p>
<p>Belmont, as you probably know, is Christian. Gordon is near where we live and is also a Christian school, with a pretty good music department. Oberlin has a very liberal atmosphere as you know, but is really great for both academics and music.</p>
<p>Does he want city or rural? Big or small? </p>
<p>Oberlin is quite competitive for cello. </p>
<p>For what it is worth we know both a violinist and 2 cellists who all got into Vandy but none got into Oberlin. Every years is different and it depends how many openings the studio has of course. The violinist graduated from Vandy and really liked it but cellists went to other school schools. Vandy and Oberlin also have very different vibes. Vandy has a lot of Greek life and in my son’s opinion not enough diversity in its population for my son’s. Oberlin is very liberal and in my opinion the student population is more diverse. </p>
<p>Check out Lawrence. It is a really interesting school and my son really liked the cello teacher. They give
great scholarships and it reminded me a lot of Oberlin in many ways. But it is in the middle of nowhere and for us too far away. I would also guess a much easier admit than Oberlin. The campus has a wonderful feel to it and many kids double major there in music and something else. It is one of the school in that book Colleges That Change Lives which is how we found out about it. I think this would be a great school for someone who is finding themselves. Since we learned of it a few years back I know a number of successful musicians who did their undergrad there who went on to grad work at bigger and better known schools. </p>
<p>Forgive the typos in my earlier post #37. Will proof with more care in future.</p>