<p>You've been in school for a few months now....long enough to know if your choice was a big score or a huge mistake. How goes it?</p>
<p>My D came home for the first time last niight and says she is thrilled with Eastman. She's told us more than once that she couldn't imagine being at a school that suits her better. She's working very, very hard and loving every minute of it.</p>
<p>Son is on break from Thornton School at USC. He loves his program, the profs and the kids on his dorm floor (general floor, not music specific). Has a group of kids in his program and another group from his floor talking about getting house together next year. Caused me to ask if he was sure he would go back next year (We live in Minnesota and LT girlfriend goes to college in Minnesota). He looked at me like that was the stupidest question he’d ever heard. Similar feeling to don9992’s daughter I think. Nice to see all the hard work and fretting from last year result in a good fit for these young people.</p>
<p>Our D is also home from the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam). She is loving it and there is no thought of it being the wrong choice. She loves all of her classes and professors, the school and her multitude of friends. She is so happy and bubbly that we are amazed.We are lucky that we live close enough that we can go to concerts and such when they have them. Living in Canada while she is in the States has actually become kind of commical because when we cross the border in either direction all they ask now is whats on at Crane this evening. The last 2 times we have not even shown our passports.</p>
<p>I’ll chime in right behind Percussiondad reporting on my son who also has returned from the Crane School of Music. He has never been happier in his life and I actually just had this conversation with him in the car. He wouldn’t trade being at Crane for just about anything it seems.</p>
<p>I have also been informed that since his AP’s and pre college college courses have sowed a somewhat easier path his proposed class track will grant him with a minor an composition along with the Ed/Perf double major.</p>
<p>I’m certainly not complaining at all, I’m thrilled he has stepped up and matured into the person I picked up from the bus last night.</p>
<p>Son almost home from Oberlin (but was home for Fall break a bit ago) is very very happy. Everyone in jazz is cooperative and friendly–he feels little to no competitiveness, save that he puts on himself. He was lucky enough to go with a Prof last Friday and perform an after party at the Cleveland Symphony, followed by a jam session at the Prof’s house with world-class musicians. We have never seen him so comfortable in his own skin–he really loves the music he’s exposed to–and seems to take advantage of all opportunities to see performers. It’s hard, but very rewarding.</p>
<p>CIM was the right choice for my D. Although she seemingly managed to contract every airborne virus known on earth during the fall-and went through the resultant periods of vocal rest- she has had many opportunities to get “out there” and sing. She loves her voice teacher and thinks that the director of the opera program is “awesome”. She likes the other VP majors and it’s great that they all have the chance to work along side the graduate, AD and Professional Studies students as well.We saw her for Fall Break and went out see the Fall Opera Scenes but I have been a bit taken aback by the growth in her voice! Pretty amazing, so I can’t wait to hear the developments which are yet to come.She loves being able to attend the Cleveland Symphony (just down the street) and all of the recitals and Master Classes held at the school.
All of this should be reassuring to the parents and students just beginning the oddysey now- there IS a light at the end of the ever-so-focused tunnel.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!</p>