<p>Fiddlestix,
I think that’s the “American Idol Effect.” It seems some people just do not have any insight into their talent level. I agree about youtube. I’ve seen auditions where the person says that it’s their audition for a performance major, and I think, if that person can do a performance major, anyone can. There’s one person who has numerous videos up where it’s claimed that they’re a major prodigy, best at their discipline, etc, etc and I look at it and think “Huh, are they kidding”?! How can/should people figure out what their talent level is before they get to a major audition? The arts aren’t like some sports where you can compare your times to other people across the nation.</p>
<p>Surely the prodigy you speak of isn’t the one that has been talked about lately on the new forum for classical singer website??? I’m sure there is more than one…but that one would be a prime example…</p>
<p>prefect, the key to assessment is input from knowledgeable professional sources. This can be in the form of high level instructors, college faculty, current and retired professional performers. </p>
<p>Self assessment/peer assessment can be gleaned from acceptance and experiences in broad based national/international programs and festivals. </p>
<p>Objective, informed sources are the best indication. The more, the merrier.</p>
<p>opera-mom - I saw those videos. I hope no student out there would take those seriously but I guess some might not recognize them as a hoax.</p>
<p>As always, violadad’s recommendations are spot on. </p>
<p>S1 claims that many young musicians’ skewed assessments of their abilities is due to a rather narrow range of musical experiences and “big fish, small pond” syndrome - they believe that being the best in their high school equates to being THE best, period. This is why it’s helpful to either expand the scope of one’s musical experiences beyond one’s backyard, or, at the very least, seek the input of a mentor who has that broader perspective. </p>
<p>Both he and his brother have had opportunities to perform with and hear peers who are much more talented and accomplished than they are (and vice-versa). These experiences have helped ground them in reality, informed their decisions about where to audition, and given them the incentive to work hard in the hopes of someday playing as good as “that guy/gal.”</p>
<p>S2 had a revelation at his first serious summer camp experience. From freshman year of hs, he was already the biggest fish in the pond, other than the local university faculty. But the pond was very small. He came back after the summer and told me that he realized that the only difference between him and the best students there was the amount of time they practiced. He proceeded to seriously up his practice time (like every free moment) through hs.</p>
<p>The videos were quite entertaining…Yes I believe a hoax is right…Like one poster said the accompanist was too good for it not to have been a set up…Still there are those out there :)</p>
<p>Runningwithbasses and violadad are correct. However, I’m amazed at how many people do not do anything like this. I know a young lady who says she is skipping college to go straight to Broadway. She’s surrounded by people who tell her how wonderful she is but has never done a professional show, never auditioned for any type of summer program, never auditioned for any show in which people didn’t already know her and are part of her fan club. Classic big fish in a very very small pond. I fear she’s in for a big disappointment.</p>
<p>Opera-mom, no that’s not the young lady I was talking about. Unfortunately, the videos are gone, so I can’t look at them. The one I’m talking about, I believe is billed as “The World’s Youngest Opera Singer.”</p>
<p>
I guess that’s why more and more schools, and programs within those schools, are requiring prescreening.</p>
<p>I had a similar revelation like tango14’s S. </p>
<p>I went to a 6 week summer program, realized I really wasn’t the BEST and worked my butt off for the two year after that. I passed 3 out of the 4 pre-screen’s I made and I’m confident that if not for that summer camp, I might be one of those flailing kids who doesn’t know which way is up in cut throat music school admissions process.</p>
<p>For those curious or may not have seen it, a prior thread on assessing talent <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-child-s-ability.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-child-s-ability.html</a> It also vectors tangentially into a discussion on prescreens.</p>