And we’re back…again 
So my son, now a freshman at SUNY Purchase, got his music mojo/confidence back after thinking for a while he didn’t want to major in music, and has now decided that he REALLY wants to transfer to Berklee(yeah, to those who know us–I know! But he’s SO much more confident in his abilities now, thank God!).
So we’re in Boston, and just got back from his Early Decision audition. He was up there for over an hour. I asked someone on staff how long auditions usually take, and she said usually about 25-30 minutes. In my experience, the longer the better–I think.
Just doing the post-audition nervous replay of the thing here, and wondering if others here think it might be a good sign that they spent so much time with him.
He now does both guitar (and keyboard), and classical composition. He’s really into playing progressive rock a la Dream Theatre/John Petrucci now, and that’s what he played at the audition.
I just think he’d be in heaven at Berklee, and so does he, now that he believes in himself as a musician.
We were there today too for voice. How did it go? Also- what was your son’s major at SUNY Purchase. D considering studio comp. Curious what his perspective is.
I think it went well–it’s so hard to say, as I wasn’t up there with him, and he seems to not want to get his hopes up too much (he applied several years ago, when he hadn’t just started getting serious about music but only had a couple of years’ worth of study under his belt, and he didn’t get in). But at this point he’s pretty much an entirely different musician, and I’m sure he did a great audition–he felt that he did well, but there are so many variables!
How did it go for your child (son? daughter?)? It was so cool just to be there–you could practically feel the talent buzzing in there! For my son’s first audition we were in Florida–they were very nice, but not the same as actually being at the school.
Long story about my son’s major, but he was originally accepted at Purchase for Jazz Guitar performance, and then he got cold feet (I think) and switched to Political Science. I tried to be supportive of his decision, but I know that he’s got music in the veins and I was thrilled when he called me one night a few months ago to say he wanted to apply to Berklee again. He’s also going to submit his work to Purchase’s Composition department, but his heart is set on Berklee at this point. Considering he plays progressive rock and jazz on guitar, but composes classical pieces on piano, it seems like the perfect fit at this point (especially since they’ve merged with Boston Conservatory).
But people here will also tell you that Purchase has a fantastic Composition program (and my son is enjoying the school overall), so it’s definitely worth looking into!
- "...when he HAD just started getting serious..."
My daughter’s audition was pretty much what we expected. Seemed to go well. She almost applied to Purchase for vocal jazz but decided at the last minute that she didn’t want to be limited to jazz studies. Purchase doesn’t seem to offer as much inter-discipline opportunities as Berklee. I know their studio comp major is popular at Purchase. We are not sure if that’s good or bad. The price tag at Purchase makes it an attractive choice though.
Amen on the price tag! But yeah–it’s really cool that Berklee is so open to so many styles. I think that was also part of why my son changed his major–he loves jazz, but he loves a variety of musical genres and seems to enjoy exploring more than he might have been able to as a Performance major at Purchase.
My son (an alum of Berklee and NEC) has played for many an audition. It payed well and he enjoyed it. I wish I could tell you if the length of his audition was a good sign. I can imagine if he was clicking with those who were playing they might go over and keep playing. Also if your son is replaying the audition and he feels he messed up with timing or the musician accompanying him rushed or lagged, let your son know that is OK. They do that just to see how the student will react. My son’s auditions for grad and undergrad were never particularly long and his NEC audition was cut super short as it was before lunch and everyone was hungry. How exciting that your son has realized what he wants to do. But also how exciting that you are so supportive of this!!! A lot of parents would discourage their child from transferring and encourage them to continue as a political science major. So pat yourself on the back and I hope your son gets in and has a great time enjoying all that Berklee has to offer.
Glad your son has figured out the path he wants and good luck!
ps for others reading this: Purchase does have a wonderful composition department
@StacJip Thank you! I realized after I posted that the time question was kind of a silly one to ask. I had just kind of allowed myself to go a little overboard with optimism when he didn’t come back downstairs for over an hour–it was just a LOT shorter the last time. But I know that you really shouldn’t try to read too much into anything but the actual decision Letter!
And thanks for the “pat on the back,” although I can’t really take credit. I just definitely see the value in music, and I’m grateful to have a son who loves it and for whom it seems so natural. I think that he was spending a lot of time for a while with a very conservative and kind of cynical friend who temporarily convinced him that the responsible thing to do was to go into a field like Pol Sci or Economics and get a “real job”, but I also had the feeling that if he went too long trying to tamp down his desire to play and compose he’d eventually explode
And hi, @compmom ! I know you know what a long strange trip it’s been, and I’ll always be grateful for your spot-on diagnosis of “Impostor’s Syndrome”! I think that maybe HE now believes that he’s put in the requisite work and time, and it’s not all just a fluke. He did submit several of his Classical compositions to be considered for Berklee’s Composition scholarships, so we’ll see… I hope your daughter is doing well!
Thanks AsMother, and was so happy to read your post. Isn’t it ironic that those with natural talent sometimes feel that need to “earn it” to feel comfortable with it. I am so glad that time and hard work have made your son feel he deserves these kinds of opportunities. Good luck!
I’m so happy to hear your S has got his groove back! Keeping a good thought for him!
Hi, @indeestudios ! And thank you! It was only the other day, while we were in Boston, that I thought to ask my son if he’d met yours in person yet (things have been crazy–my mom passed away in July, and I just moved back up to NJ–hallelujah!–about three weeks ago).
But he said he had, and he said that he seems “really nice” (my son doesn’t say those things unless he actually means them). He also said that he looks like he should be “the missing fourth member of Nirvana”–I believe that’s quite a compliment! How is he doing?
Good luck again! Unfortunately I don’t know much about jazz but it all sounds exciting!
Thanks, @bridgenail ! He’s actually not so big on jazz any more–more progressive metal (guitar) and Classical (piano)…odd combination, maybe, but that’s what he’s drawn to these days! He was asked to play a jazz standard a top the audition though (after he played his prepared piece), and seemed happy to do that as well.
@AsMother - that is neat to hear. S also doesn’t necessarily plan to make a living playing jazz. Maybe he likes funk better, for example. Jazz is just a foundation of one sort.
Thanks, @GoForth ! Yeah, I think it’s kind of cool to have such seemingly disparate interests. It does seem that Berklee is the only place where he would be able to pursue all of them seriously.
Lol AsMother…he does, and he would take that as a compliment, I think!
YESSSSSS!!! Thanks so much to all of you who offered so much support along the way!!!
No scholarship, but he is SO going to Berklee next year. I’d sell my internal organs to make that happen at this point (fortunately that won’t be necessary).
Yay!!! What a great story this is, with a wonderful ending. I am a Bostonian and drive by Berklee all the time. The vibe in that whole area is exciting. Congratulations to him!