<p>We too had a studio that was more “recreational.” That’s a good way to put it! Fortunately we figured that out when my D was 14. We switched her from the one studio that taught dance, acting and voice, but didn’t teach any of them really well, to private voice, a studio just for dance and a studio just for acting. The director of that first studio was not very gracious about it either, even though I had been asking for “more challenge” for 2 years. Oh well. You can’t learn to sing better by just giving kids a song in a big group and telling them to sing it! That’s not real vocal instruction.
We live within driving distance of New York City so that is very helpful. But I am very glad we realized at that point 4 years ago that we needed better instruction.
All of you are doing everything you can now to support your kids and in the end that is what is really important! Truly, it means more than anything else. </p>
<p>.Having gone through this process last year, I can relate to all these posts. I did look back and saw that my son had one acceptance out of five at this point in March but then received three back to back acceptances with two being his top choice schools so keep the faith. I think one can do this process with out big time coaching and summer programs but it involves a lot of research and the training has to be there. We have learned a lot through the process and we are definitely dictated by the dollar and , for that reason, did not apply to certain schools that give less financial aid or the sticker price was just too high. We continued to whittle our list down through the process and withdrew from auditions along the way as well once he received his first acceptance which was his first choice school. I had doubts along the way especially being told that boys have it easier and it was rejection after rejection but then it all did work out in the end. Best of luck to all. I will be sending positive thoughts.</p>
<p>Newyorkson, is your son auditioning for Fredonia? I’m trying to find out how solid their program is. Ive heard a lot of good things. We are going on the 29th to get more info. My son auditioned already off campus and was accepted. </p>
<p>I think the bigger issue is that our culture pretends that ‘talent’ is this gift that is bestowed on random people and that it requires no work. This seems to only apply in our culture to the performing arts. We don’t say this for sports, nor do we even say this for instrumental music (no one would think a kid could pick up a violin and play on it for a few years in the school band and then expect to get into Juilliard). I think this has to do with how the media presents singers and actors–as though they just ‘arose’ with their ‘talent’ and no work. Many Hollywood actors actually hide or conceal the fact that they are taking private lessons because somehow there is this mystique that they have to be effortlessly talented. </p>
<p>So what I’m saying is that you shouldn’t blame yourself if you had no idea about the preparation. How would you know? No one told you and the entire culture acts like it’s not necessary. So to those about to go into the process–train in any way you can so you can be prepared,.And to others–hang in there. You just don’t know what may happen these next few weeks. Also, this is really important–there are many many paths to success in this business. If your S/D ends up going to a ‘regular’ college and knows he needs development, he/she will work at it and succeed. THere are classes, summer programs and conservatories, internships, summer stock, and of course MFA programs. So many ways to reach the goal. </p>
<p>Excellent post connections. To the sleepless parents above, please cut yourselves some slack. The majority of students at these auditions are no more prepared nor packaged than what you are describing. Yes there will also be kids that have professional coaching, went to PA high schools, have had private lessons in all aspects of MT for years. Some of those kids will not get into the schools that your kids get into.</p>
<p>You are not in the minority. It’s just that those of us with kids that didn’t do all of the above nor send our kids to one of those summer programs have less to talk about. </p>
<p>I feel the same way as many of the above posters, our D has not had any acceptances yet, many rejections, we still have 2 schools to audition for & we are making our peace w/out potential back up options. She has amazed me… was feeling incredibly discouraged a few nites ago, but has pulled herself back up & knows that this is what she wants, so she’s just going to have work harder or maybe her path is different than what she thought! I take my cues from her & we are moving forward, trying to be positive & have faith in the fact that she will end up where she is supposed to be!
But, I am very grateful for all the support & encouragement here, so glad I found this site, wish I’d found it sooner, but still glad we have had the advice & guidance we have had!</p>
<p>Ditto here! D did have voice lessons for about 4 years but we had no idea she would go the MT route. She decided 2 years ago that she was interested in trying it out and took some classes. Just 1 year ago she decided this is what she wants to do! She is no where near “polished” but she is very talented as are most of these kids. Many schools are looking for “polished”. BUT, there are those schools out there that can spot potential also. I am very thankful I found this forum a year ago because we were able to put together a realistic, with a bit of stretch, list of colleges. This list has some of the colleges mentioned here all the time, but it also has others that are not. D has 1 auditioned acceptance, waiting on 9 more, and 2 audition-later safety BFA’s. I don’t like the term safety because that makes them seem less than. We are still very interested in these safeties and the 1 acceptance has not knocked them off the list.</p>
<p>I both agree and disagree with connections’ post. </p>
<p>I agree that there is often an under-emphasis on voice/acting preparation in our culture. You don’t hear young TV-stars talk much about taking acting classes. And the various singing competition shows make it seem like anyone can get up there and succeed. In both acting and voice most successful people have done a lot of work preparing to get where they are. </p>
<p>I disagree a bit on the sports and instrumental music side. My D was in competitive softball and you would be surprised how many people even in that area think they can get by just on athletic ability. Again, the truly successful folks are taking private lessons - hitting, fielding/throwing, and for some, pitching. But many don’t realize that is necessary. Same for instrumental music (my background) - many people think that classes in school are enough.but the kids that are really good are taking private lessons. As a nice reinforcement of that, our school orchestra notes in the concert programs who is taking private lessons (and of course those kids are the better performers, have the most solos, etc.).</p>
<p>Many people also don’t know how long it takes to build the base of skills to get “good”. I know there are scholarly debates about the number of hours needed (used to be 10,000 hours to “master” something, but that is being questioned). For most people it takes 4-5 years of diligent study to attain that basic mastery of skills. </p>
<p>With our D we are in a similar place that many of you mentioned - only accepted to safety schools so far, waiting on one more BFA response. But my D has had only 2+ years of specific training on voice/acting/dance since she decided to focus on this over softball. I can see her theatre talents being in a similar place to where her softball talents were after a couple years of private lessons. And I know how much she developed in years 3-4 of softball, so I am hopeful that her voice/acting/dance skill will see a similar growth over the next few years. </p>
<p>Keep up the faith - if your kids truly love this stuff and are willing to put in the hard work, they will develop well over the coming years.</p>
<p>MTorBust - yes we are auditioning on the 29th at Fredonia. Dont you love that we are lol. Anyways it is only 45 minutes from our house and was his back up plan. We have heard both positive and negative about it. He has a bunch of friends who go there some like it and some are auditioning again this year to see if they can get into a different school. I think everyone is different with what they are looking for. I do think it is a good school. I know the one vocal teacher is excellent not saying the others arent I just dont have the knowledge of them. Good luck to everyone. Keep the faith we are in the home stretch!!</p>
<p>Saw an awesome performance of Les Mis at CCM Friday night. A little sad that S won’t be a part of that group next year. But also excited to find out which terrific group he WILL be a part of. To everything there is a season. . . </p>
<p>Thanks NewYorkSon, we are 7 hours away… ughhh. what a process…good luck to your son.</p>
<p>I also had no idea what this process was like. Not that it would have mattered – I couldn’t afford to send my D to one of those camps, especially after shelling out big $$ for voice lessons, and even those didn’t start until 2 years ago. At the CM audition, we saw quite a few girls who were so obviously “packaged” … professionally done makeup and hair, and wearing glittery cocktail dresses and stilettos. That’s just not my D, but it did intimidate her.</p>
<p>Glittery cocktail dresses?? Wow…</p>
<p>D just got the rejection letter from Coastal Carolina. Man, that one stings. She got such positive feedback from the auditors, especially during the afternoon session in front of all of the other kids. I know that it always comes down to type and what they need to round out their cast, but ouch!</p>
<p>We are even more grateful for the three offers that she’s received so far. Seven more schools to go.</p>
<p>@cheeseheadmike - Was that letter mailed or emailed from CCU?</p>
<p>Good time for the “dislike” button. Sorry CHM.</p>
<p>I know that this was mentioned somewhere else but I can’t find it. This is our first college kid, so we’re new to the process.</p>
<p>D got a formal acceptance letter today to back up a previous verbal offer. In the letter they state that they need a decision by April 11. Can they do this? I thought that decision day was May 1st.</p>
<p>@cheeseheadmike…I don’t see your D’s acceptances on our two lists…are you keeping them a secret :)</p>
<p>@cheeseheadmike…I’m so sorry! At least you got 3 acceptance so far…many get none. As for the April 11 deadline…I’m not sure; there may be rules about this. However, I suspect you will receive notification one way or the other from every school before then.</p>
<p>Sorry cheeseheadmike, some really do sting more than others. Especially the ones where you visit or audition at the campus and everyone is so nice and welcoming. It makes the kids able to imagine themselves being happy there. I almost regret having gone to the on-campus auditions last year! It made it so much harder for my D to keep her hopes in check.</p>