Ah. I get it. Kid doesn’t need this. The music director there is already one of his letters. And he’s not applying early action to any other private schools, just a few public ones, to which I’m sure he’ll get in.
But this is very interesting. I had never heard of this. It seems that this is like that final dinner before they make you the offer, when you’re applying for a job. Kid says that every year, 8-10 players from the local youth symphony that conductor at Harvard also conducts (kid says the man is just amazing, and kid has played under many other conductors, including at Juilliard, says this guy is the absolute best). I just figured that it was because these were the best and the brightest from the Greater Boston region, and so it would make sense that some would get in. I think that there are plenty of Ivy acceptances among the hundred or so players in the top level. But now I realize that it’s at least partly that the conductor is writing for those he likes, and apparently wants to meet the kid and the family for players he doesn’t yet know personally, before making a recommendation.
So, the moral of the story is, start that 4th grader on oboe or bassoon, if they’re not obviously an extraordinary sports talent. One of the youth conductors my kids had, referred to the row of the orchestra that had these less popular instruments as “scholarship row”. All 3 of my kids played, and they say that it is 95% practicing, only 5% talent. Practice!
Harvard provides need based aid only. So “Scholarship Row” works if you qualify for aid… Harvard is not sending kids an extra 10K jus for playing the oboe…
Has Kid considered Carnegie Mellon? They are big on music there and just a cut below Ivy…
Considered, and decided against. Yes, no merit aid ivies. But with them, “scholarship row” might get admitted.
The football stats bit may be helpful, an interesting counterpoint.
Have you considered Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music ?
Harvard, Yale, BC, BU, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, & Indiana.
I def agree with Peabody(JHU) and Tufts(NEC). Regarding the private auditions…I actually have seen them happen but, it’s really conditional and while you do a mock recital style audition there is also a lesson aspect afterward.
What instrument is your child auditioning on for Yale? I’d double-check to see if there are any openings for this year because they do not disclose that on their website.
Double Degree programs are tough to get into but, it’s very possible(a good chunk of my fellow musicians are in them right now). Practice and do your best, if you don’t get into the DD I’m sure you’ll still get into the regular programs.
I can’t help but wonder if he goes to the same high school I did. If so, it is indeed a phenomenal jazz program. I wish I had participated myself.
just wanted to say - great scores to your kid, and well done with the practice and musicality of your kid too. Absolutely no advice about your question though! Hope your kid stays with music in some fashion.
I can appreciate the jazz band part of it; my daughter was in a top jazz band in her state and they were REALLY good. Proud of those kids; and so wish so many of them didnt let music drop when they go off to college. I really miss hearing music in the house. Trying to figure out what instrument your kid plays!
When my oldest stopped playing after high school, he said, “I’m sorry, Mom. All that money you poured into lessons…” I told him that he had nothing to be sorry about, that the goal was not that he become a professional musician, but that he learn how to work hard at something, because school would not challenge him until he was taking AP classes in high school, and that he learn a skill that he might use socially later in life, and that he know about music, and maybe pass that on to his children. And just that he enjoy it, then and there, even if he never used it again in his life. The music is worth it, even if they never play again after high school (not that I think that would happen with this kid).
For those who wanted to know the outcome, kid was admitted to Harvard early action. He decided to go, either withdrew or didn’t submit Yale/Yale school of music, Columbia/Juilliard, McGill, BU. He’s set on going to Harvard.
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