<p>Just found out son's band received management offer from a small independent record label. The band has been cited in an Alternative Music magazine as an up and coming Northeast band, and has played at some decent venues. S wants to go to college, maybe minor in music, perhaps study the business of music, but is not interested in Oberlin, Berklee, Julliard, Belmont etc. because he wants a well-rounded liberal arts education that would further both his writing and music and perhaps even business endeavors. He realizes performance is really a hit or miss proposition as a career choice. He has not applied to his choice universities' Music departments because he neither intends to major in music and the schools usually emphasize orchestral, classical, violin, sometimes jazz. Likewise, he has therefore not auditioned for any music program. However, his band (he composes the music and lyrics and is lead vocalist plus plays some guitar) has completed its first full album. That's the background. Should he forward a copy of the album (which took over a year to cut), magazine reference, videos of his performances to anyone at his deferred schools, which probably view his band as just another weekend garage band? </p>
<p>I'm not sure it came out in his essays or application (since he did not want to telegraph a music major or solely interest in music) also that he has been heavily involved in recording engineering, booking and financing, merchandising etc.---probably as much as 15-20 hours per week, more in the summer. Should his point of contact be the regional rep. for the school, the Adcom itself, the inteviewers of schools with whom he is slated to meet?</p>
<p>I’m no expert but it never hurts to let adcoms know new info and I think everything you’ve mentioned would be positive for a school to know.</p>
<p>I just wanted to comment about Belmont though. I don’t consider them in the same category as a conservatory type program such as Oberlin & Julliard. The Mike Curb connection and proximity to Music Row leads to a lot of opportunities in the area of popular music. There are a ton of kids there who’ve already recorded professionally. It’s local for me, but when D2 went for a University Day program I was blown away by the opportunities there; it had a much different vibe than it did 3-4 years ago when we visited with D1. [Mike</a> Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business - Belmont University](<a href=“http://www.belmont.edu/cemb/]Mike”>http://www.belmont.edu/cemb/)</p>
<p>I think if he applied to the schools as a music major or music related major (Music Management, etc), it would help. If he applied to schools for a major not remotely related to playing in a band, I don’t think it’s going to help very much. It’s not as rare as one may think for garage bands to be given a management offer.</p>
<p>IMO–If his application essays didn’t focus on his band experience as being a big part of his life that has influenced his decision to study such and such at XYZ University in the future, I don’t know if admissions would care very much about this additional info. </p>
<p>Does your son have any additional new academic achievements to send to his deferred schools? New test scores? Upswing in grades? Academic awards?</p>
<p>Stick with a nicely worded letter stating his interest in attending the deferred school. State why XYZ school is a good fit for him, how XYZ program suits his intended plans for the future, and if he is offered an acceptance-he will attend XYZ school.</p>
<p>You can send it and keep your fingers crossed.</p>
<p>Curious why your son is not interested in Oberlin, which can offer both a music conservatory and an excellent, well-rounded liberal arts education.</p>
<p>nysmile, not much new academically. grades are roughly stable in same sort of 3.6 UW range. 5s on APs were already previously disclosed. Any awards at his H.S. tend to come late in the academic year. He was nominated and serves on the Board of Education’s Academic Curriculum Commitee and a recent proposal of his is planned to be adopted as a course for the upcoming year. I suppose that is more the type of thing to which you are referring. BTW he has played at the Stone Pony (NJ), City Winery and Pete Wentz’ (Fall Out Boy) club in NYC. Yes, it’s not that unusual to be sure, it’s not curing cancer or working w/an AIDS Foundation in Africa–but it sure takes more courage and commitment that I would ever have to get up an perform (especially sing) live on front of hundreds of people. It may not speak to academic superlatives like a 2400 SAT does, but it does evince something about commitment,drive, passion and maybe even future success outside of music. Then again every kid seems to be doing something every parent thinks is special, so i will admit the bias and rose-colored glasses.</p>
<p>Blindwilly, I think that and Johns Hopkins (Peabody Conservatory as an adjunct where I believe one might be able to audition to use the facilities and even take a class or two), or even Bowdoin (although his scores are bit low for JH and Bowdoin) would be good ideas, but he never got behind them.</p>
<p>Of COURSE he should send the info to the admissions office, why didn’t you do it sooner? My D is a singer-songwriter, and wasn’t shy about telling the interviewer (who happened to be adcom regional rep). In fact, she directed the rep to her myspace page, and rep listened right after the interview. She also included a CD as supplemental material, and the entire Admissions Office has now heard it. Her ED acceptance included a hand-written note from the Admissions Director: “We’re looking forward to your bringing your music to our school!” It’s a LAC, known for creativity and innovation, but in no way was she applying as a “music major”–she just wanted them to know who she is and what she does.</p>
<p>It’s a crucial part of who your son is. He should be proud. There are plenty of artists who have been liberal arts/intellectuals during college. Perhaps if they get too many gigs out of region he may have to take a leave of absence, but otherwise, he can balance both. It’s so easy now with Skype, cell phones, etc. </p>
<p>Good for him on the record deal, and by all means,tell the interviewers and SEND THE CD/PROMO PACKAGE to the REGIONAL REP. They need to know!</p>
<p>NOTE: just read up on your son’s application situation–I’m betting that NYU and Wesleyan, specifically, are most interested in his music. Even if he sticks with 'Nova (a more conservative environment), he’ll be in great shape, gig-wise, since there are so many colleges right there and he will have access to public transport.</p>
<p>ABSOLUTELY! My D is not interested in being a music major but sent a voice arts supplement to every school. Having someone who is going to be part of the music scene is just the sort of thing schools are looking for as they put together a diverse class. If it is something he spends significant time on, and expresses his creative side, it helps give a full picture of who he is. The record contract is outside validation of his skill from a competent third party.</p>
<p>Yes, yes, yes, he should send all the things you mentioned, and can use admissions as the point of contact. I think he should call admissions and ask them where to send it, and what they would appreciate receiving, so they know it is coming (it’s late). This is supplementary material which can often be accepted after the application, but it would be good to talk with admissions.</p>
<p>Sending these materials does not commit him to studying music. I have one child who is a musician, and another who is a dancer. Both included information on their particular art form, and both indicated lots of different interests, academically. It happens that they are pursuing dance/music, but they wanted to also study literature, art history, science, philosophy and so on. They did not commit to a major until late sophomore year anyway.</p>
<p>Your son’s story and talents will greatly contribute to the mix of students at any school, whether he studies music or not. Many gifted musicians go to college and study something else, while studying privately or performing outside of the school curriculum.</p>
<p>Sounds like a cool kid and it must be exciting to have an album done! Good luck to him!</p>
<p>cartera, guess it depends on where he goes to school. School will come first, but will be used to develop his strengths as well (at least that is the plan). He is still feeling his way through it all. I’m sure there are mixed emotions of excitement and concern and loyalty to what might be left behind or put aside for a time. As regards college, it’s hard to get him off the mark to push for himself because he truly is working for the art of what he is doing (oh to be young and idealistic) and is really sick of the whole application process and wants it over. I’m just happy he is committed to his education and not pushing for a gap year, at least I think I am.</p>
<p>Of course mention it. I don’t see how it could possibly hurt. Plus, it makes him sound like the leader of a musical group, which can be tough as it is.</p>
<p>Congratulations to him. I’m sure lot’s of people work on music for years with less success.</p>
<p>thx. for the support everyone. I will try to get him to send in the magazine reference, album cuts, video or whatever I can. I can’t do it for him, he’s a little burnt out right now— as most seniors are. All he hears is keep the first semester grades up, get in touch w/your regional rep., circle back to Admissions w/new info. Trying to convince him he’s a few feet from the finish line, but he’s felt enough pressure. It’s hard to keep pressing and staying on him re:college even if it is the best thing to do–almost doesn’t want to discuss it anymore. Ultimately that’s his choice.</p>
<p>He realizes performance is really a hit or miss proposition as a career choice.</p>
<p>Unfortunately it is. I know people who are affiliated with internationally successful musicians who do everything they can to get their music distributed & heard- but even with several records out it is still a daily struggle.</p>
<p>I also know quite a few local musicians who have played nationally- are very good, but have to work " a day job". However, you can make your day job fulfilling or at least fun & if it is flexible you can still spend a great deal of time performing.</p>
<p>Kudos for him to wanting to getting a good college background- I would also suggest some business/accounting classes just in case he does make it big!
It’s good to know what your manager is talking about!</p>
<p>bovertine, he has kept the band together a couple times through changes and adversity, but it is a group effort for sure. I don’t doubt he has learned so much from the school of hard knocks about what it takes to succeed in the real world, as a professional, already. His experiences already amount to at least a year of the equivalent of Harvard B-School Case Studies. The nice thing is, we as parents have stayed out of most of it, and let him learn on his own. We didn’t bail him out of situations w/the band, and as you might expect, he has learned more about people and business (i.e., from all the small failures) and even coordinated a tri-state tour in conjunction w/the release of the first album. And he has always kind of kept this separate from school, as his thing where we have not interfered and given him a lot of rope. The nice thing about the music scene is that while he is mature for his age, the older bands he plays with if he is not headlining tend to really look out for the younger kids.</p>
<p>emerald, yes he is well aware of this. He has played w/more established bands (it’s really amazing how all these musicians seem to know one another) that have traveled from North Carolina to New Jersey by bus for one night to build their fan base and get little more than gas and food and a small amount of spending money. So he knows his future lies in a college degree, while continuing to keep a hand in the music business. There are many very good musicians out there. We are always blown away by the talent. And yes, even bands w/ a few albums struggle to make it.</p>
<p>A gap year wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, especially if he is not completely on board with what is going to feel like choosing college over music. The “what ifs” can be tough.</p>
<p>Another vote that it is IMPERATIVE in my mind to relay all this to AdComs. It defines your son. It shows dedication. It shows business sense. You state the band has stuck together through some rough spots as well as stating he interacts with older musicians. This ALL shows a level of maturity and interpersonal skills which would serve him well in dealing in the “new” environment of college.</p>
<p>Also, I love Alt music. PM me the band name and any web links as I’d love to catch a show.</p>
<p>" is not interested in Oberlin . . . because he wants a well-rounded liberal arts education that would further both his writing and music and perhaps even business endeavors."</p>
<p>Oberlin - the College - is the very defintion of a well-rounded Liberal arts education . . . plus the music scene there is vibrant and active, with lots of non-Conservatorty students doing music as part of their othwerwise collegiate lives.</p>