Early Audition - Good or Bad?

<p>My youngest, S, is going to Hendrix next week (he gets the whole week for Thanksgiving off at his hs) with a friend who is also interested (friend's parents driving, God bless them). He and friend are both in 11th grade, but got the Hendrix bug from another fellow from hs who is now a Hendrix freshman.</p>

<p>S and friend have taken the initiative to set themselves up not only for an interview, but also a vocal audition as they are both in their school's honor choir and their Hendrix buddy is also a singer. I discovered this when a letter came last week confirming the tour schedule with a handwritten note saying Prof. so-and-so was looking forward to the audition!</p>

<p>Is this too early for him to be auditioning? 11th grade? what if his voice would improve even more in a year? will they make a decision on him now, or just note the interest? if he looks too interested now, will they assume they've "got him" and not bother sweetening the pot with $ next year when he actually applies?</p>

<p>I'm a little taken aback by his efforts as he is usually very shy and not forward at all. He has now arranged with Hendrix friend to stay overnight in the dorm and check it out. All this activity is very unlike him.</p>

<p>I'm probably being a little paranoid, but when D went through all this, it almost seemed like the schools she showed the most interest in initially were the ones to offer little or no fin aid when acceptance came. It was like they were counting on her coming w/o that.</p>

<p>Also, his two older sibs did not do any of this talent stuff, so things like auditions were not in the equation. Any ideas?</p>

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will they make a decision on him now, or just note the interest? if he looks too interested now, will they assume they've "got him" and not bother sweetening the pot with $ next year when he actually applies?

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I do not believe any enthusiasm your son shows will mean less money offered. As for whether or not it's too early to audition, I'm afraid I don't know the answer. I supposed the boys are visiting at the very beginning of the week? I'm sure they'll want to be able to sit in on a class or two, but Tuesday is the last day of classes before everyone leaves for Thanksgiving. Best of luck to your son!</p>

<p>They are visiting on Monday, and he's really excited. I just wish I was the one going with them, but we have family obligations here that won't permit that. We are going to try to take him ourselves in the spring so we can see what we're in for. Hendrix has always looked like a good school and it seems like a good fit for S. He particularly likes that it is small as the large state schools scare him (they did me too when I was that age). I think they are scheduled to sit in on a couple classes, so we'll see how it goes.</p>

<p>I hope he has a fabulous visit! We knew within a couple of hours of being on campus when DD visited that she would choose Hendrix. She is so very happy there, and we are so happy for her.</p>

<p>Not my area of expertise at all but I do have a friend whose (senior) child is busy prepping for vocal auditions with the help of vocal teacher etc. So my question is - has he prepared for this. Does he know exactly what is expected for the audition etc? Good for him for doing all this by the way. Sounds like maturity is kicking in early.</p>

<p>I don't know if this is maturity or 16 year old insanity. But to answer your question, no preparation per se. However, tommorrow is his All-State Choir concert, and rehearsals started yesterday, continue all day today and tommorrow morning. The concert is in the afternoon. He and his friend leave for Hendrix on Sunday, so he will be singing two of his All-State songs on Monday, at which point he will be as prepped on the songs as is possible, I suppose.</p>

<p>The Hendrix web site says they only have to sing 2 songs of their choosing, of "contrasting styles", whatever that means. I just drive the car and deliver him to activities, no personal knowledge of any music details. One thing is he got an email from Hendrix two days ago that as the boys are in 11th grade, the prof is going to make this a "coaching audition", which I assume means he will just critique the boys (individually) and offer assessment/advice.</p>

<p>From discovering and reading the music major threads on CC, it now looks to me that the whole process is a lot more complicated at some of the other colleges, so I wouldn't reccommend "flying blind" like my S if you are dealing with a high school senior. But this has kick started my own research for S and hopefully will result in more informed decisions in the future for his college search. That is, if I can get past his male teenager stubborness.</p>

<p>If it is a "coaching audition" as stated in the letter, I would really encourage him to go. I think it would be a good opportunity for someone in that department to hear your son and give constructive criticism, if needed. It will also give your son an opportunity to meet some of the people with whom he will be affiliated if he chooses to go to Hendrix. It's always good to stay in touch with those people afterwards. It can bring nice rewards. Best of luck to him!</p>

<p>"That is, if I can get past his male teenager stubborness" Yeah - good luck with that LOL. Though I think it is just teenager - girls are just as bad. Sounds like a 'coaching audition' could be a good experience and help him be prepared for next year. Good luck to him.</p>