<p>Musicalthtrmom and Ericsmom, thanks for the info on OCU summer. Musicalthtrmom, was your D's experience positive in that program?</p>
<p>Thanks, mwparent</p>
<p>Does anyone know - Where do Hartt MT's take dance classes? in Hartford with the dance majors, or elsewhere?</p>
<p>FYI: At Marymount Manhattan students in the MT minor take dance not at the college, but in NYC (at any private dance studio they can find).</p>
<p>Chrism-</p>
<p>Hartt MTs take dance through the MT Program. There are three different dance instructors. One teaches Jazz I & II, Ballet I. Another teaches Tap I, II, III. The last only teaches Ballet II. Music Theatre students can take the classes as many time as they want or as many at a time (credits permitting). </p>
<p>You can take a Ballet III class with the dance majors, but that usually conflicts with classes and is strict in grading, but it is possible. Guest teachers from the dance division sometimes teach as well as NY instructors.</p>
<p>You can usually place into the levels. For example, you can place into Tap III without taking Tap I or II, then complete III and take an independent class for IV, V, and VI. Same applies with Jazz.</p>
<p>To Rossj</p>
<p>Check your private messages...top right part of your screen...you will have to log in to get it.</p>
<p>For those of you who have auditioned already, do you have any sense of what the "hot" audition pieces are (probably the ones to avoid)? I remember Shauna last year mentioning that every other girl was singing from Thoroughly Modern Millie. Any thoughts on what songs/shows to avoid?</p>
<p>My D has auditioned at 3 schools thus far and she hasn't really seen a pattern of the same songs/shows being used. She did say, however, to check out CCM's website concerning songs to avoid. She also said to tell you not to worry too much about singing something that others are singing...that even if the adjudicators have heard it numerous times, if you are truly talented, that will be evident regardless of the song.</p>
<p>I know we all have to "suck up" to these colleges, but my reaction to lists (like CCM has) of what not to sing because they've heard it too much is that either 1) the convenience of the faculty is more important than what shows the students best, or 2) the faculty doesn't have the ability to compare people who have sung the same thing, they're going partly by whether they like the song. So they get tired of hearing the same song 100 times? You'd think they'd still be able tell if the hundredth person did it the best. That's not to say I'd recommend singing any of those songs, because they hold the cards, but they should be thinking more about the students than themselves.</p>
<p>Cato,</p>
<p>tell that to the 3 very bored-looking, can't really be bothered to pay attention auditioners for whom D had to audition last fall (her second college audition, not fun). I realize it's a tough world out there, but geez.</p>
<p>Auditions are a two-way street. The representatives of the school have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skill, and humanity under fairly stressful circumstances. My long days of interviewing law students were very similar, but we attempted to learn as much about the student and sell them on our place at the same time. I still meet lawyers who remember the experience warmly. I am sure my D is evaluating the evaluators and will be influenced by their behavior. If she is blessed enough to have a choice of programs, she will remember how she is treated.</p>
<p>OCU Summer Program</p>
<p>mwparent...you write...</p>
<p>Musicalthtrmom and Ericsmom, thanks for the info on OCU summer. Musicalthtrmom, was your D's experience positive in that program?</p>
<p>Yes, I would say she would respond (enthusiastically!) to the question "was your experience positive?" She learned new acting techniques she has put into action in fall performances....she had voice instruction from college faculty members who could indeed be her instructors in 2005....she was given much help in being comfortable with her audition at OCU in November (help which I believe will also aid her in subsequent auditions)....and she made a multitude of friends with whom she is still in touch. It was a good experience for her. She has had much experience here in our town, but it always helps, I believe, to go outside of your comfort zone and see how you "stack up" to the crowd out in the world. </p>
<p>(Sorry for the delay in responding to your question...it in no way reflects my hesitation in answering regarding a fine OCU summer program...we have been out of town for a couple of days...and have been preoccupied with the tsunami news as my brother lives and works in Indonesia.)</p>
<p>Cato and anyone worried about song choices,</p>
<p>In my opinion, it is not really the redundant performance of certain music that annoys faculty members. I have seen many an auditioner sing a well known song and still get accepted. It just shows a lot about someone's personality. I brought a girl into the audition room who was singing "All that Jazz" from CHICAGO and "Memory" from CATS. Personally, it does not get more generic then that. Don't get me wrong, a great standard is always welcome, I just know some adjudicators that would have stuck a sewing needle into their cornea if they had to hear "Moonfall" one more time. </p>
<p>A lot of modern songs, mainly from the last 25 years, make people think of the original vocalist's interpretation. If your children know they are better then that singer, by all means, sing "Think of Me." CCM is dead on when they state a lot of things about what to do and not do at auditions. There are songs that belong to certain singers and will only make people think of them. I always recommend finding two songs that are age appropriate that shows off your range the best they can. GIRLS: If you have a belt and a legit voice, rock both of them at the audition.</p>
<p>I still believe that acting is extremely important at most schools. At Hartt I KNOW it is mandatory. I feel like a lot of conversation talks strictly about music. The monologue choice is REALLY IMPORTANT. Read the play and if anyone thinks of picking up a monologue book...PUT IT DOWN. If the character you chose isn't even from a play...BURN IT.</p>
<p>I don't even really know if I helped at all. Basically, the prospective student should be able to show the faculty they are auditioning for their personality the best they can. Stick to the heart of the music and the monologue. Go with it emotionally and truthful. If you can master that, it doesn't really matter if you sing "Do Re Mi" at your audition. </p>
<p>NOTE TO PARENTS: be as respectful as you can because you do effect your child's chances of being accepted. Two years ago, I had a mother give me attitude in the audition room when I was trying to answer several of her questions. I promptly told one of the adjudicators and that immediately put that boy's file in the "decline" pile. </p>
<p>I was told of a similar situation at CCM. Two mother were discussing the fact that CCM has students arrive on campus around 7 or 8am for the full tour, forum, and then audition. One mother was very upset about this. She was stating that her daughter didn't have any time to warm up or get herself ready because it was so early. She thought the entire situation was ridiculous. She turned to another man and said, "Do you know what idiot arranged this?" the man turned and replied, "Me." The man was Aubrey Berg, the head of the musical theatre department at CCM. I have heard he is a very benevolent man, but I am sure that woman was not happy with what she said. </p>
<p>I am not saying that anyone here would be guilty of ruining their child's chances, I just want to warn everyone that "walls have ears" at these auditions.</p>
<p>Jake got an offer from Hartt yesterday and was quite pleased about it. He now has offers from Emerson and Hartt and still has another 5 or so auditions.</p>
<p>Did anyone else hear from Hartt?</p>
<p>jerrylaurie, </p>
<p>Congrats to your son! It is wonderful that he will have choices. And what a great way to start the new year with good news! Continued well wishes on the rest of his auditions. I do not think that Alexa is going to continue with the audition process since her acceptance at OCU.</p>
<p>Jerrylaurie - My D got a "deferred" from Hartt and was completely suprised. She really felt that she did horribly on the audition and asked me to throw out the envelope when it arrived without even showing it to her. Of course I opened it and was kind of shocked when she did not get an out and out "rejected". Kind of interesting.....I wonder if everyone they don't chose immediately gets a deferred, rather than a forget about it.....Also interested to hear from anyone else who auditioned.</p>
<p>And, of course, congratulations to Jake. My D was sure he would get in, based on his audition!!!!!</p>
<p>Musicalthtrmom - I'm so sorry to hear about the worry you must be going through with your brother. It puts all of this nonsense in complete perspective, doesn't it? I will be praying for you and your family and hoping everything is ok.</p>
<p>Lynnm...
Thank you for your prayers and good wishes. We HAVE heard from my brother and his family. They were in Bangkok, Thailand at the time the tsunami/earthquake hit. (Though they had been on a Thai beach a couple of days prior.) They will return to Jakarta, Indonesia where my brother's work is based. The (American-based) development project he manages now totally changes course. They are now charged with delivering millions of dollars worth of food, plastic sheeting for shelter, and generators to the Aceh province of Indonesia which was hardest hit (over 80,000 dead). My brother will most likely travel to Aceh within the week. A life-changing event for so many. Even for Americans working in the affected areas.</p>
<p>musicalthtrmom: The depth of this destruction is beyond my imagination. Please keep us posted on your brother, his family, and his efforts in helping.</p>
<p>First of all, to everyone affected by the tsunami disaster: I am keeping you in my thoughts and hope that you and your loved ones are safe.</p>
<p>Second, re: something far less important - audition songs. I think there are a number of reasons for schools stating which songs not to sing. They want you to have a good audition, so if they know that they will be less apt to listen when a particular song is sung, they are going to warn you in advance so that you can choose something that will grab their attention. Also, I think asking students not to perform overdone songs shows that they have done their homework, so to speak. It shows that they have taken advantage of the resources available to them to find something that's not overdone and suits their voice as well. If you really think that "Memory" is the song that perfectly show's off your daughter's voice, then try to find something else in that same vein (11 o'clock pop-like belt ballad) that's not so cliched. Even "What I Did For Love" (another 11 o'clock pop-like belt ballad) is less overdone than "Memory."</p>
<p>So, just my two cents. Plus, it's good preparation for "real" auditions, where the people behind the table are under no obligation to attempt to see beyond poor audition material.</p>
<p>Shauna</p>
<p>Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know you are relieved that your brother is okay. And to all of those affected in some way by this terrible disaster, our prayers are with you as well. Lynnm, you are definitely right, it does put all of this college stuff into perspective.</p>
<p>D has audition at Illinois Wesleyan on 1/15. Is anyone else going to be there? We got lucky with our multiple trips to the Midwest. She can also do an honors interview with Millikin on 1/17, so we only have to make one trip. Next audition is 2/5 at Otterbein and 2/7 at Millikin, then 2/12 at Baldwin-Wallace. So 3 trips in the next 6 weeks!! Will I get a chance to meet anyone?</p>