<p>Here's the situation: Last night the daughter of a dear friend asked me if I would help her with her college search. We are meeting for breakfast this weekend, but I wanted to post some questions here before then.</p>
<p>This student (hereafter referred to as D2 to same me some typing!) is getting absolutely no guidance from our hometown high school, which is not a surprise...Big State U, Bigger State U, and local CC are about the only schools on their radar. Her mom is supportive but tends to think that things are still done the way they were back in our day; she was even a bit surprised at the notion of essays. The mom is a big believer in LACs, and finances are not a huge problem, although D2 is a twin (her sister is probably headed for Big State U or Medium State U). D2 is your basic BWRK, with a GPA probably in the 3.8 - 3.9 range. She takes the ACT in April and hasn't given any thought to the SATs (GCs at her high school routinely tell students not to bother). If it looks necessary, she can take the SATs in June. I don't yet know her PSAT scores (I'll be asking). D2 wants to be a high school band director so she's looking for a solid music education program.</p>
<p>Here's the rub...D2s principal instrument is the flute, and let's just say that her playing is <em>adequate</em>. She recently made a college visit to Ithaca, and it scared her to death. She is beginning to realize that her aptitude is nowhere near what she thought it was (it's the big fish in the small pond story). I've been listening to her playing for years, and I think she has reason for concern; I love her like my own, but her playing lacks something...<em>heart</em> maybe? She still wants to pursue music ed, but the chances of auditioning into a really strong program seem iffy. I also think that there is the possibility that she could change her mind about her major, particularly if she's not one of the top musicians.</p>
<p>Right now she has Central Michigan on her "list" (it's the only school on her list), but she's well aware that Central generally gets about 200 flautists auditioning for 20 openings. She doesn't have any problem with going out of state, although she'd probably be most comfortable with schools in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, or Illinois, although it does create certification concerns. Any suggestions as to how I should approach her seach with her?</p>
<p>The Flute is really hard. It is so competitive, 200 auditions for 20 spots is not unheard of. What I would do is find a private teacher. That teacher should help her find and perfect audition pieces. I don't know where you are from in MI but the Grand Rapids west side of the state has a very active flute community. Another option would be music camp. My D went last year and it helps in many ways. First of all they find out just how competive the flute is. Second playing 5 or more hours a day helps your ability. And the staff is for the most part PHD's from college music departments. They are very helpful in technique and would also be good contacts for auditions. My D went to Blue Lake, it's north of Muskegon and most of the faculty was from Michigan State. I don't know if she has explored these options.</p>
<p>Bowling Green State University in Ohio has a very nice music ed. program. With a 3.8 she could receive some merit aid. Ohio State has a wonderful music program with one of the finest flute departments, but it is very competitive. Ohio State runs a summer flute camp which I hear is very good. I know someone who auditioned for the College of Wooster in their band. They have a music education major, but I don't know much else except that the college in general is regarded well.</p>
<p>The flute is really hard, there are a lot of really good flute players out there. Mezzomom, I didn't read who was posting this before I responded. I am sure that you are very aware of many of the options that I talked about, sorry.</p>
<p>Deb, no need for apologies...I'm wide open to suggestions. And your ideas are thoughts that I had, so I think I will go ahead and pursue them with the mom. This girl is taking private lessons, but I know that the guiding principle for choosing her current teacher was proximity. There's a VERY good teacher who is willing to teach this student, but the teacher is 45 minutes away. The mom doesn't want her daughter driving that far at night during the school year, but maybe I can talk the mom into letting her daughter take summer lessons. Fortunately, the mom is a close, close friend, so we have the kind of rapport where this approach won't seem overly intrusive.</p>
<p>I had also thought about Blue Lake, but I think it's at the same time as drum major camp, so it may not fly. I'll suggest it though, as well as the U-M instrumental camp at Interlochen. Same conflict may apply (if it's not too late to audition), but it can't hurt to mention it. </p>
<p>Funny, College of Wooster had also occurred to me, as well as Baldwin-Wallace. I like both of these, in part because I think D2 could find other majors of interest if she decides against music ed once she's started. I wish I didn't have this nagging concern, and I'm hoping it's just because of the different perspective I have because of my own daughter's passion for music. Even though my daughter is now considering a BA rather than a BM, she lives and breathes (vocal) music, and performing is as essential to her as breathing. I just don't get this same sense from D2; I guess I'd describe it by saying that music is something D2 does,while for my own daughter, music is who she is. But maybe that's a difference between someone who is looking for a performance emphasis and someone who is considering music ed. Certainly, neither is a better way of being, so it's probably me needing to adjust my thinking a bit.</p>
<p>Your post also brought to mind the possibility of auditioning for some the local community symphonies, so I'll suggest some of those to her too. Thanks for triggering the synapses for me!</p>
<p>Mezzomom, the College of Wooster also was going to be my suggestion. ANother possibility might be Hartwick College in NY which has a good mucis education program if I recall. That said, you might see if you could post this question at the national association for musical education --- <a href="http://www.menc.org%5B/url%5D">www.menc.org</a> --- they have a discussion board but I am not sure if it is open to non members. They may also have some sort of list of programs on their site somewhere that might spur some ideas.</p>