Best financial aid package for conservatories?

<p>Nope…not Asian. This rare event did happen, but I won’t give details to protect the ID of the kid. Suffice to say the kid had more than one excellent offer. Okay, maybe the 30 seconds was exaggerated–you know how that goes–but they definitely did not have him finish the audition. Actually, I was told it was 29 seconds, but I rounded up. No one should think of this as a routine or normal occurrence. </p>

<p>Thanks for all the valuable info for my friend. The young man will have to decide which instrument to focus on eventually (at least for his college/conservatory undergraduate degree, most likely). He will also have to decide on classical vs. jazz I suppose. I’ve never heard him play classical personally, but that’s what virtually all his training has been. Again, thanks for the input, I’ve passed it along and the family is most appreciative. This board rocks!</p>

<p>One other thought for the kid in question. If he is either African American or Hispanic, he may want to look into the Sphinx organization, that is trying to promote kids from both groups getting into classical music. They hold regular competitions, and the prizes I believe are scholarships, plus they offer performance opportunities and I believe summer programs as well as mentoring and so forth. I don’t know a lot about it, but I would pass that on to the kid and his family as a potential source of help and guidance if he fits the scope of the program.</p>

<p>The Sphinx link [Sphinx</a> Organization - Building Diversity in Classical Music](<a href=“http://www.sphinxmusic.org/]Sphinx”>http://www.sphinxmusic.org/)</p>

<p>wow, thank you so much for the info about Sphinx. Fantastic possible resource for this family–great timing, also, since the young man will have time to prepare repertory for the competition. The family had never heard of this organization, so this was just great info!!</p>

<p>Beyond the other aspects addressed, you may want to keep the financial aspects (talent awards, FAFSA/CSS and alternative methodologies) “in their face” so to speak. </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/675696-what-good-fafsa-efc-if-colege-makes-their-own-up.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/675696-what-good-fafsa-efc-if-colege-makes-their-own-up.html&lt;/a&gt; is a good overview, and is performance major specific.</p>