<p>Son is a jazz pianist who is in the process of developing his list of schools. He is interested in strong academic and strong music/jazz. So far he is most interested in Oberlin, Lawrence, Loyola New Orleans. The list is just beginning to grow and take form. We are in the "just beginning the journey" category and would love to learn from your views and advice about regional vs. on location at the school auditions. We live in an area where regional auditions are an option for most of the schools our son is most interested in. Do you get an equal shake if you choose regional auditions? We are aware of the importance of visiting the schools, meeting the faculty, taking lessons with the instructors, etc and are in that process. Yet, going back to some of these schools for a live audition may be difficult - due to the distance, weather, and cost. What have your experiences been? I imagine that there are previous threads on this but haven't figured CC out sufficiently to find them. Thanks for all of your help and congrats to all of you who are hearing great news about admissions.</p>
<p>Webejazzin, you've come to the right place--there are a number of jazz parents who can give you advice, and parents in other music disciplines who can provide excellent advice as well. I'd begin by searching jazz in the music major forums and look at the threads that have been created and posts therein. It is an excellent starting point. My son, jazz drummer, was also interested in academics and jazz and so we pursued that too. We're still waiting to hear from three schools, and I plan to write a more in depth 20/20 hindsight piece when all is said and done.</p>
<p>Some other schools to consider: Northwestern, McGill, SUNY Purchase, UMiami, USC, </p>
<p>I would strongly recommend you send Webejazzin son to a summer jazz program of some kind, especially affiliated with a music school. Summer programs can really give you a sense of where you stand in terms of ability outside your own home town. It can also answer whether you are interested in a conservatory-type environment, whether you thrive when you're around "your people," whether intense musicality is what you're after and on and on.</p>
<p>Welcome--we're all be here to help you on and off the rollercoaster!</p>
<p>Might I suggest you read the first dozen or so posts at <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a> for an overview of the process, at least as we went through it?</p>
<p>Regarding regional vs. campus auditions, it depends on the school. At one school where my daughter auditioned on campus, she never even got to see the faculty on her instrument. They sent someone with a videocamera and taped her. She could have done exactly that hundreds of miles closer to home. Other schools seem to favor those who make the effort to audition on campus. It helps to ask others who have experience with particular schools once you have your short list.</p>
<p>There's the old favorite here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/240407-audition-tips-info.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/240407-audition-tips-info.html</a>.</p>
<p>And an old topic specific thread here <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/213753-regional-auditions.html?highlight=regional+auditions%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/213753-regional-auditions.html?highlight=regional+auditions</a></p>
<p>The constraints of multiple visits, balancing/finding time, conflicts with current school and performance, and financial concerns are a factor for many.</p>
<p>I don't recall much discussion of "bias" against those auditioning regionally. The popular consensus is live is best. For many, it becomes a question of effectively balancing available resources.</p>
<p>Regional auditions may provide an option above a recorded audition submission. In many instances though it appears these are video recorded and reviewed later. The policy seems to vary a bit among those schools that do regionals. </p>
<p>BassDad's example of a live on site audition (in the absence of any faculty) shows the worst scenario of spending money unnecessarily. There may have been a multitude of various reasons for so doing, but from what I know/heard/read, this is by no means the norm. Seeking info from those having been through the process is sound advice.</p>
<p>There are a few programs (at least there were) that do have "mandatory" live auditions. Exclusions tend to be "x" distance from a school (or a regional), and these parameters are disclosed within the audition requirement portions of the website.</p>
<p>crossposted with BassDad</p>
<p>We were told that live auditions were always the way to go, so that is what we did. For the most part, I think that was great advice, and we loved all of the trips and experiences during audition weeks.</p>
<p>However, one of my son's auditions was abominably organized (pitiful, really), and it would have been better to have done the regional for that one. The kids we know who did the regional had much better experiences than we had, because it was well organized, and the appropriate people were there (contrary to our on-site one, which, aside from being disorganized, had a missing teacher for S's instrument and they videotaped his audition...ugh...just like Bassdad's D).</p>
<p>So, I would say, in general, on-site is better, because it gives you a real flavor of the school, as well as how welcoming they are, etc. However, the regionals seem to be a good alternative when you can't make the trip, particularly if you have already done a trip for practice lessons and the professor remembers the student.</p>
<p>As far as I know, most jazz programs actually do not allow regional auditions so I would look into that before assuming that you can do it. For schools with strong academics and jazz, I would also look at Michigan, NYU and maybe Rochester/Eastman or Tufts/NEC if you are willing to do the two campus thing.</p>
<p>Thanks very much for your thoughts, advice and links to other threads. I'll look through the prior threads and I'm sure I'll be back for more advice. Thanks for the tips on additional schools to check out and summer program advice, too!</p>
<p>There definitely are regional jazz auditions, for schools that allow them (some schools have absolutely no regional auditions at all), and some are instrument specific (allow for all except rhythm, for example). All of this information is very easy to find, either on websites or through a call to admissions.</p>
<p>The weakest way to apply is through CD or DVD only, although there are certainly a few really talented students accepted this way as well. Whenever someone can hear you live though, it is clearly preferable.</p>
<p>And I ditto the summer program advice! There are some fantastic jazz summer programs out there, and some are still taking applicants.</p>
<p>thanks very much Allmusic. I guess we will be in for some traveling! :)</p>