Auditions, Auditions, Auditions...

College Majors Music Major
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<p>Hey, I'm new to this site, so forgive me if this is a repeat question. But guessing that this involves personal matters, i don't think it is.</p>

<p>I am senior in high school (class of 2011), & with that i am starting my journey with applying to schools. I want to dual or double majior in Music Education and Vocal Performance. I am a soprano, who has been studying classical voice with a renowed teacher since 8th grade, and recently (in the past year), has begun piano instruction. I am the president of my high school chorus, section leader in the school's Award wining Vocal Jazz, and avid researcher of music and music history. I have recieved high marks on the competetions i have partaken in, as well as been accepted into Area-All states, All counties, and honorary ensembles, some of which have resulted in solos and awards.</p>

<p>In the fall i plan to apply early decision to Ithaca College's four and a half year music education with performance program. For the audition, they require:
1. one italian song or aria from the 16th through 18th century
2. One 19th or 20th century english or american art song
3. one 19th or 20th century german art song, or 20th century french art song
4. one song of my choosing, no musical theatre, jazz, or orginal compositions.</p>

<p>As such, i am planning on singing the following:
1. Il Mio Bel Foco by Bendetto Marcello
2.Weep You No More by Roger Qultier
3.Gretchen am Spinnrade by Franz Schubert
4 Either Non Su Piu cosa son (from the marriage of fiagro) by Mozart, or Hear ye, Israel (from Elijah) by Felix Mendelssohn</p>

<p>Thoughts on this audition repertiore? Anything please, it will help.</p>

<p>& thoughts on Ithaca, and recommendations on other music schools?!</p>

<p>Thanks soo much, in advance</p>

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<p>Did your teacher assign this repertory? I cannot imagine high school aged singer appropriately singing “Gretchen am Spinnrade” or “Hear ye, Israel”, and “Non so Piu” would be a stretch. You will not be able to present yourself at your best singing repertory of this degree of vocal difficulty. Think again. </p>

<p>Many spelling mistakes in your inquiry and in your repertory listing…do attend to details…it matters. good luck.</p>

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<p>Lorelei2702: I have sung “Non su Piu” at a festival last year, and recieved highest marks. In the past year, also, i performed “Hear ye, Israel” along with the double quartet at a church memorial service, and recieved nice feedback. “Gretchen am Spinnrade” is a new piece for me, but to my knowledge it is often sung by women in their early college years. Is this correct?</p>

<p>I have always considered myself somewhat advanced for my age, and therefore my teacher assigns challenging music to accordingly feed my ambitions and strength my musical world. Thats not to say however, we don’t reject certain songs time after time. In fact just the other day, she decieded that Mozart’s Aleluia was above my current means.</p>

<p>If you could suggest any specific music you would consider “doable” at my age, and for an audition, it would be extremely appreciated.</p>

<p>(My appoligies on spelling, it was rather late at night when i wrote this, however, i did take the time to double check, my tired mind must not have seen it!)</p>

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<p>Is money an issue at all for you? By applying Early Decision, you severely limit your financial aid “competitiveness” Just this past year, we know of a student who applied/auditioned at BU and Ithaca. He got into both, but BU gave him a full tuition scholarship while Ithaca only gave him a small amount. He sent the BU letter (yes, copied and sent it) to Ithaca and guess what? THey completely matched the scholarship.</p>

<p>Just something to consider. Good Luck</p>

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<p>Thanks flute1298, and wow congrats on the full ride to what is (in my opinion) one of the best non-conservatory music schools in the US. (:
Money is a slight issue, however, i do have my heart kind of set on ithaca, and i was told that as the audition process continues it becomes more competitive and difficult to be accepted into the school. I figured if i applied early action i would have a better chance.
Any thoughts, anyone?</p>

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<p>

One of my favorite pieces…but I didn’t learn it until well into my 20s.</p>

<p>Ithaca is a great school…good luck with your application/audition there.</p>

<p>Re: early decision…if you can afford to attend Ithaca then go for it…if not, you might want to reconsider this. What will you do if you get accepted ED but you cannot pay the costs your family is expected to pay? Please discuss finances with your family BEFORE you apply ED. If you do get accepted, you will be required to withdraw all other applications and acceptances…are you able to do that with the confidence you will be able to pay for Ithaca.</p>

<p>This is a huge decision…and a four year financial one too. Just be cautious that you don’t close the door on other options that financially might work better for you…if your family says finances are a significant consideration.</p>

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<p>College/conservatory audition results for sopranos (and others) can be a real crap shoot. Combine this fact with the inability to compare financial aid offers, and you see why not too many apply ED to anywhere. My D attended Interlochen, and no one there applies ED, it is strongly discouraged. And, even though all the senior voice majors there are fine singers, some more advanced than others of course, there were some pretty strange results this season, including some who did not pass their pre-screens, some who were rejected from lower level programs, but accepted to top conservatories with substantial music scholarships. </p>

<p>Lorelei is a very experienced voice teacher at the college/conservatory level. She knows her stuff. Your repertoire selection is very important. The voice faculty does not want young singers singing repertoire that is above their voice maturity level. In fact, one young lady we know who is a fine classical singer and a wonderful performer with lots of experience was rejected from all pre-screens (she did end up in a fine program w/o pre-screen). Some folks later suggested that her pre-screen selections were “too advanced,” even though she sang them well. We can’t really know for sure.</p>

<p>Assuming that finances are not a consideration, if you do apply ED to Ithaca, make sure to apply to other schools in case you are not accepted. In that area, I would suggest Eastman, SUNY Potsdam (Crane) and SUNY Fredonia. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Who judged at the festival? Other high school teachers? The breath lines and intensity of the Schubert are very difficult…have seldom heard it even in senior recital level singers. The Mozart is deceptive in its difficulty. You may think you are doing it well, but you will be judged to a high standard. (See if you can find the YouTube of Pavarotti doing a master class of this at Juilliard, think it was Susanne Mentzer singing “Non so piu”. She was early 20’s in the class.) The Mendelssohn is for a more mature soprano, and again the intensity is the issue. It floats at the beginning, but it takes a more developed sound in the latter part of the piece. It is great that the audience at your church enjoyed it, but that does not mean you are ready to do it for professionals. </p>

<p>You may have a mature sound for your age, but your body is still young. Particularly the Schubert and the Mendelssohn require more intensity than any high school soprano should be offering…and the Schubert in the upper middle part of the range, which especially difficult to be organized vocally. </p>

<p>Do you sing any Handel? He has a lot of wonderful, very vocal music. There are other Schubert songs which give you a chance to show your German and good phrasing. </p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>SandraSings11,</p>

<p>You can’t judge a program by one graduate, but my son’s choral teacher is an Ithaca grad who’s quietly built up his program (in a mid-southern state) into the best in the state and apparently one of the best in the nation (in the past couple of years his Chamber Choir has sung for British royalty, sung at Carnegie Hall while being the subject of a two-part NPR series, won a grand champion award at a big music festival in Orlando, and will tour Austria and Germany next year). What’s interesting is that he’s also made this program into the most participated in extracurricular activity in the school - 400+ children are in it out of a school of 3,300+. The Chamber choir regularly sells out their 4-show Madrigal dinners at $25.00 a plate in a big church auditorium (with a huge set).</p>

<p>His program is kind of the “anti-Glee” - the aforementioned chamber choir has recently featured the 2010 Prom King, a starting linebacker on the state’s #1 ranked football team, the sophomore class president, starter on the state champion girl’s soccer team, etc. He’s blessed to be in an area that has a lot of support for the arts, but he’s probably one of the most loved teachers in the school. If Ithaca’s music program is graduating more like him, you’re looking at a great place.</p>

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<p>Thank you thumper1, sopranomom92 for your insightful responses.</p>

<p>Just to clarify, i will need finicial aid, and i fully plan on taking loans, but my family and i have decieded that the route to recieve higher levels of education, are far worth the cost</p>

<p>Lorelei2702: I’m not sure what region you’re from but the festival i performed in is called NYSSMA, or New York State Solo Music Association. The judge i had last year when i sang, “Non Su Piu” was a professor of music at Setnor (Syracuse University). It is my understanding that you know a lot about this particular process of college auditions, and i take what you have to offer to heart. I have sang Handel’s “Care Selve”, and selections form the Messiah. Would you consider either of theese pieces appropriate for a college audition?</p>

<p>OTamandua: That sounds fantastic, you’re son is blessed to be in such a wonderful musical environment! thank you for the insight, and for futher sealing my desires in attending IC.</p>

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<p>Sandra, you sound like a talented and determined person, and that is what it takes to become successful! One unfortunate fact in “soprano hood” is the sheer numbers. So anything you can do the “play the game” is important. Lets say that you are perfectly capable and mature enough to sing these pieces, but you will be “marked” down for singing above your age-maturity level, why do it?</p>

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<p>Sandra, another thought is that since you indicate that you have just begun piano lessons this year, your piano and theory skills may be considerably lower than other music education applicants. You can get caught up once you are enrolled in a music ed degree program, but this would be another reason why it will be advisable to apply to multiple programs. Good music education programs are very competitive, and many applicants are accepted for performance but rejected for music ed, and vice-versa.</p>

<p>One thing that helped my D solidify her audition repertory was to take sample lessons at various institutions. She brought with her all of her music. She always asked whether her choices were appropriate, and asked for suggestions of good combinations of pieces. Fortunately for her, all the voice teachers agreed with her choice of repertoire–they were in sync with D’s private voice teacher.</p>

<p>Try to arrange a few sample lessons at Ithaca and at least one or two other places, and you’ll get some great feedback as you plan your application strategy. Good luck!</p>

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<p>“Care selve” is a terrific piece for singer, encourages wonderful line and good phrasing…much more lyrical than other pieces you have mentioned. What you have not mentioned is what your voice teacher is saying about all of this. </p>

<p>I have not heard any singers from Syracuse in the auditions I have heard. I looked through the list of voice teachers there…most are Syracuse graduates, a couple from MM programs at Eastman. You may be wonderful, or you may be better than what they are used to hearing. It is all a matter of standards. You also may be fine for Ithaca, no matter what you sing…or not. </p>

<p>Sorry to be harsh in my assessment of what you are saying. It sounds like you are very motivated and inspired to pursue a musical life. Be wise. Debt is NEVER appropriate for voice students…you are preparing yourself for a very difficult career path, with few back-up options. Music education is even risky these days with cuts in state and community budgets. Think beyond your passion. I know your parents are trying to be encouraging and supportive, but this is a rough path. Prepare yourself for all kinds of options. Ithaca is a fine school, but there are others just as good and better…take care of yourself for later, not just what you think you want now.</p>

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<p>It sounds as if you are a NY State resident. You may want to add SUNY schools to your list, the tuition would be significantly less than privates… Potsdam (Crane) and Fredonia, as mentioned above, are both considered to be strong. I have heard great things about the program at Ithaca, but options are always good to have! :slight_smile: Good Luck!!</p>

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<p>My voice teacher went to Oberlin, was a professor at princeton, taught many clinics at yale, and was the co-head of Setnor. She performed all of the world, and now currently at the age of 93, devotes her time to teaching a few blessed students, like myself (of course, she does do a recital every now and then). How lucky i am to have such an amazing mentor!</p>

<p>She believes that, as long as a song is sung beautifully and with proper technique, there is no reason not to sing it. That’s not to say that she hasn’t prevented me from learning things - as a said earlier, she believed Mozart’s Aleluia was beyond me, and we put the music aside to be learned in the future. My teacher prefers when i offer her suggestions, because it illustrates ive continued my activity in my art. Last week, i showed her Gretchen at the Spinning wheel, and she said this was a very hard piece, but perhaps with extra effort, i could master it and add it to my college repertiore. (She speaks german as her first language, so clearly i have an advantage there) That is not to say, in a few weeks she will determine it to tricky. </p>

<p>Anyway, if a singer my age can sing Gretchen at the Spinning wheel just as well as someone five years older, why can’t that be added to their repertiore? Why would a school penalize someone for being good at something? The song itself isn’t full of material that i would call “mature”, necessarily. There is no talk of motherhood or anything that would suggest the performer be aged. But, is it simply the way of schools that if a piece is challenging it is too mature? I’m having a hard time understanding it…</p>

<p>Furthermore…What is a sample lesson? ive never heard of any such thing until this website. Could anyone elaborate?</p>

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<p>Reading through this, I question the repertoire I’m using for music major auditions. I was told, in general, to stay away from opera and oratorio arias. Lorelei, do you think pieces from Rossini’s Serate Musicali are too difficult (I’m also a rising senior; tenor)? I’m concerned.</p>

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<p>“Anyway, if a singer my age can sing Gretchen at the Spinning wheel just as well as someone five years older, why can’t that be added to their repertiore? Why would a school penalize someone for being good at something? The song itself isn’t full of material that i would call “mature”, necessarily. There is no talk of motherhood or anything that would suggest the performer be aged. But, is it simply the way of schools that if a piece is challenging it is too mature? I’m having a hard time understanding it…”</p>

<p>This says it all, OP…you are having a hard time understanding it, that you are too physically immature to be able to satisfy these kinds of pieces. This is not about what you think is mature material, but about what the music requires of the human body and spirit. And by the way, one does not need to be “aged” to be a mother…</p>

<p>Your teacher must be a tremendous inspiration to you. However, no professional level singer is singing their 90’s in public, even at a reduced level of ability. Once a singer has sung at a certain level, she/he knows when they cannot satisfy the demands of the music they revere. There are no exceptions to this…voices do not last forever. </p>

<p>As close as you are to your teacher, Sandra, there are many red flags in the things you say…please consider getting feedback from others. Sample or trial lessons at some of the schools you are considering would be an excellent idea. Or seek out a respected teacher at a local university. </p>

<p>I regret that this sounds so harsh and insistent…I am concerned.</p>

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<p>Most students hoping to be a performance major, go to various colleges/conservatories during the summer of junior year and early senior year to take a lesson with their preferred teacher at the college. These lessons usually cost $100/hr and give the student the chance to see what it would be like to work with the teacher; as well as the teacher a chance to hear a prospective student BEFORE the 7 minute audition. Let’s face it, not all personalities work well together, so just because teacher"A" has a great reputation, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best teacher for you.</p>

<p>Much can also be learned during these lessons in terms of what repertoire the teacher likes and if there are openings in a studio. It is important to listen carefully to what is “not” being said, as well as what is said. My daughter has done 3 lessons so far. At a recent visit, when the student before her (who was clearly not very good) was leaving, the father said how excited the child had been to have the lesson and the teacher said something along the lines of “Oh, be sure to apply to many schools as this is really competitive”. By contrast, when my daughter lesft, she said “please keep in touch throughout the summer, I anticipate one opening and want to know what your plans are”.</p>

<p>Believe me, we in no way think that this is a guarantee, but it was encouraging that at least maybe my daughter might get in somewhere. </p>

<p>So, I agree. Take some sample lessons. Talk about your repertoire with the teachers at the colleges. And listen to what they are saying.</p>

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<p>Listen to Lorelei! We are not trying to stifle you at all, but there are arias that are considered too difficult for young singers to tackle. We do not mean that the subject is too mature, we mean that the music and technique needed cannot be sung by one whose physical instrument (their body) isn’t ready for it yet. It’s not your fault, all singers have to wait this one out. Also learning an aria before you are ready to sing it can lead to muscle memory problems, my son learned that the hard way. As far as college is concerned, you go for the teacher, not the school, BIG importance! My son is getting ready for his grad school auditions. There are a couple of schools that he would like to go to for the prestige, but they don’t have a teacher there for him at this time, so they are out. The sample lesson also lets you “audition” some teachers to see if their teaching style works for you.</p>

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<p>Sample lesson: Study the websites of the programs that interest you, especially the faculty pages. Look at both full-time faculty and adjunct faculty. Read the bios of the voice teachers, and email the teacher to ask for an informational lesson. In your email you can offer to pay the “usual fee,” which can be anywhere from $0 to $150, depending upon the location and the teacher. At the lesson, you will get a feel for whether or not you’d like to study with that individual, and you can ask if you are potentially competitive within the typical applicant pool. The teacher can also give you feedback on your repertoire choices. In some cases you may want to contact more than one teacher at a school. At the very least, when you end up at auditioning at the school, you will be likely to see a familiar face amongst the adjudicators.</p>