<p>Hi! I'm new to this group and have read the past threads over the last few days. I am amazed and grateful for the collective experience of the members and your willingness to share! My D is 16, a high school junior, and we are beginning to look at programs for next summer. I think I have a fairly good sense of NYU's program at CAP21, CAP 21's program, CMU, and BTP, but am interested in learning more about the "cherubs" program at Northwestern and the musical theatre program at Syracuse. People have said their children had "awesome" experiences there, but: How many kids? Did the programs focus on training or performing? At the end of the summer, had they improved their craft? Did the MT add-on at Northwestern make that summer program way too long (7 weeks)? Were the summer faculty people brought in for the summer or professors from the school? Did the program work on college audition material? I would love to put together a matrix that helps us look at all these factors! Thanks so much, anyone, for any info you can help us with.</p>
<p>Welcome, CalifMom. My D and I are looking for a summer program for next year, too. Has your D done any programs in the past?</p>
<p>Interesting to see a question today about Catholic U. We live in the DC area, and my D and I went last night to see their production of "The Secret Garden." (She's used "How Could I Ever Know" as an audition piece but had never seen the show, so she wanted to know the context.) It wasn't perfect (what is?), and I'm frankly not the biggest fan of the show, but it was very well done, with several really top-notch performances. </p>
<p>You're correct that it's a BM, not a BFA. But the Rome School of Music is very well-respected, the MT program seems as active as the BFA programs, and the MT chair, Jane Pesci-Townsend, is a real go-getter. (She also runs a local summer program that my D was going to do this past summer until it wound up conflicting with a production of "Sweeney Todd" that she was in.) My D of course has no interest in even considering Catholic -- much too close to home!</p>
<p>At last night's performance, Pesci-Townsend took the stage for a couple of minutes to talk about the following (I've just pasted the whole press release):</p>
<p>CUA LAUNCHES EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC THEATRE' WITH HELP OF $50,000 GRANT
Initiative Debuts With New Jerome Kern Revue on Campus</p>
<p>A $50,000 grant to Catholic University will help kick off CUAs Excellence in Music Theatre initiative, enabling students at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music to study with some of the most renowned composers, directors and musicians working on Broadway today.</p>
<p>Businessman David Savage has given $10,000 to the music school and pledged the remainder over the next five years as a challenge grant to encourage others to contribute to the initiative. The music school will launch its initiative with a special preview of The Land Where All the Good Songs Go, a new revue of songs by famed Broadway and film composer Jerome Kern Thursday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the upper lobby of CUAs Hartke Theatre. </p>
<p>At the preview, a CUA cast will sing the shows title song accompanied on the piano by Broadway musical director David Loud, who helped to create the revue. The Kern show will premier with a full staging at CUA Nov. 19 through 21.</p>
<p>Six CUA music school students have been cast in the revue, whose creators are Loud, musical director of numerous Broadway shows that include Ragtime and The World Goes Round; Stafford Arima, director and Olivier Award nominee; Christopher Gattelli, choreographer; and Ed Wilson, music theater historian. The show, which takes a chronological look at the composers career, features songs that previously were lost or unrecognized as compositions by Kern.</p>
<p>This exciting initiative offers our students links to the ever-evolving professional world of performance on the American stage, says Murry Sidlin, music school dean. We connect them with the most imaginative practitioners directors, composers and great performers and get them started on their careers by thinking outside the box. </p>
<p>Savage is executive vice president of a direct marketing company in West Chester, Pa. A baritone and occasional performer, Savage shared the stage at a couple of Washington area theaters in the mid 1990s with Jane Pesci-Townsend, chair of CUAs Department of Music Theatre. </p>
<p>Pesci-Townsend is a four-time nominee for the Washington areas biggest acting honor the Helen Hayes Award. She has appeared in productions at Arena Stage and the Folger Shakespeare Library in the District and at Signature Theater in Shirlington, Va.</p>
<p>The donor says he decided to back the music school financially after hearing one of Pesci-Townsends students sing at a 2003 charity fund-raiser that Savage chaired in Philadelphia. </p>
<p>The student, Mark Bush, who earned his CUA bachelors degree in music last May, is currently on tour with a production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.</p>
<p>I was so impressed with Marks performance and with the rapport between him and Jane, says Savage. I think CUAs music school is one of the best in the country. Id like to help it become the very best. </p>
<p>The relationships that music school students develop with faculty like Pesci-Townsend give the school a vibrancy thats unique in music education today, Sidlin says. The schools requirement that music theater majors land roles and act in two professional theater productions during their time at CUA provides a critical learning experience and an invaluable way to make contacts in the field, he adds.</p>
<p>CUA music school students enrolled in a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs study with professors who are also working singers, musicians, and conductors. Fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music is Washington, D.C.'s only university school of music. Graduates perform with the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna Opera, New York City Opera and every major symphony orchestra in the United States.</p>
<p>I just saw that this new format described me as a "new member." I've actually been a loyal reader and occasional poster for quite some time. I did wind up having to set a new password, but why would that make me a new member? Did anyone else run into that?</p>
<p>Beez-</p>
<p>My D and I are visiting CCM on Nov 18 and 19th. WE have an interview and tour set up for the AM of the 19th - and then she can sit in on some classes in the afternoon. But no dance class was available. And then to "Brigadoon" Friday night. We do get in around 2pm on Thursday. Anything we shouldn't miss?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any info.</p>
<p>Jane</p>
<p>Artsymom - Thanks so much for the information on Catholic University. I can't believe that the school would have a representative at a performing arts college fair with incorrect information about the type of degree they offer! Anyway, the curriculum really does look very similar to a BFA program. Your information is really helpful. I guess maybe we'll be sending out yet another application.....</p>
<p>artsymom, I think many of us who have been around for a while have that new member designation on these boards. I'm not sure why but it really doesn't matter. With this type of board, there are certain benchmarks that, when reached, will change your designation. </p>
<p>lynnm, I also remember someone who was on the forums last (school) year who was going to Catholic but unfortunately I don't remember who it was. I also happen to agree with you that it's not a good sign when a school has a rep at a college fair who doesn't even know what type of degrees are offered, especially at a fair which is for performing arts programs.</p>
<p>Repertoire list question:
Do you put down every piece you've ever performed, or only the ones you'd be prepared to sing on the spot if asked? D has some classical songs she performed 18 months ago, but they aren't performance ready right now. thanks</p>
<p>Jane,</p>
<p>Hope you and your daughter have a wonderful trip to Cincinnati to see CCM. We will also be coming in on Thursday afternoon to arrive in time for opening night of Brigadoon! Sounds like you're pretty well set with your interview and tour - if you haven't yet seen CCM you will be amazed - that's how I felt when I first saw it - the school is truly incredible! It's also great that your daughter will be able to sit in on some classes - this will give her the opportunity to meet some students and faculty. If I can answer any other questions please feel free to e-mail me or post here. Best of luck to your daughter!!!</p>
<p>Mtmommy-
Thanks! My D has only participated in local summer programs. How about your daughter?</p>
<p>CalifMom-</p>
<p>Have you considered CMU's summer program? Many on this board know it to be a highly rated program.</p>
<p>CalifMom-</p>
<p>Just reread your post and noticed that you already mentioned the CMU program. That's what I get for reading the posts at 1:00 in the morning!</p>
<p>CalifMom--My D went to ballet programs for three years. The last one she went to was 2003 to ABT. She had to pay her money right away, THEN found out she got into Interlochen's MT program, so she was really disappointed, since the ballet was to keep strengthening her ballet training, but not where her heart was at. So she went to UCLA's MT program when she got back from ABT. This year she couldn't go anywhere and did a show around here. So she's really looking forward to going to a good MT program this coming summer.</p>
<p>I wasn't able to go- would love to hear about weekend from others.
Husband\Father did go and fell in love with Tisch- in some ways we'd gone along with daughter's dreams and said we'd send her if she was lucky enough to be admitted. Now he - the Dad - is totally convinced this is the most perfect place to be: to be trained AND educated to be an actor. He enjoyed her studio-CAP21- but was moslty enchanted with the whole "Tisch thing".<br>
They did go to Sweeney Todd and he was impressed- haven't talked to her yet about this- she is often more critical. They also went to a small ex-student performance at Stella Adler which was also enjoyed by him.</p>
<p>Re: Tisch
My husband and I were also impressed and reassured. The faculty we met were bright, creative, dedicated, and engaging. I love that my son will have an individual midterm conference this week with faculty to go over strengths and weaknesses. My son seems busy, focused, challenged, respected. His studio (playwrights) is a very good match. All courses seem to use the resources of the city to enrich the teachings. We loved Sweeney Todd, and the production was deep with talent. Now, if only I knew he was eating his vegetables and sleeping enough.</p>
<p>For auditions, can the music to the accompanist be xeroxed or must it be the original published?</p>
<p>Re: Tisch</p>
<p>My husband and I enjoyed our Parent's weekend. As usual it was quite busy since we have two children at NYU (one is older in CAS). The staff was wonderful and enthusiastic. They held a question and answer period of with the parents. It really shed some light on how the students are placed in their studios and the schools philosophy on their training. As far as placement, they like to see the student's strengths and place them accordingly. Also, they made it quite clear that their mission was to make the students "educated" actors. Meaning that academics was just as important. Some asked how accomodating they were with students getting "professional jobs" and they mentioned that it would be difficult for the students to do school and a show (especially a Broadway show), perhaps something off off broadway, but even that would be difficult on the student.</p>
<p>They also mentioned that a lot of students double major and the fact that the students are only required to do 3 years of studio gives them the option to take courses toward a double major.</p>
<p>It was interesting to go the studio where we were treated to a demonstration put on by the second year students. They were so eager and comfortable around the teachers. And it was fun to watch the freshmen students look at the sophomores with admiration. </p>
<p>My husband and I enjoyed Sweeney Todd. We thought there was so much more talent on the stage than what we see in the shows that travel through our area!</p>
<p>We are coming up on the start of college auditions and I just want to make sure we have everything under control. Besides what is specifically required by each school, can you think of anything additional we should bring. We have music in a binder (marked photocopies and the original - just in case), theatrical resume and photo, additional music which D is prepared to sing if asked. Are we missing anything??</p>
<p>My husband is going to take my d to visit U of Michigan and Northwestern in February. We would like to visit a third college with good M.T. program near by one of them. Any suggestions would be appreciated</p>
<p>lexismom</p>
<p>lexismom--Not as prestigious, but worth a look is Western Michigan University. Their students do well at the Kennedy College Arts Festivals.</p>