<p>Curious to know with all the free-range talent around here if anyone has had experience with trying out or even appearing on this show for young performers?</p>
<p>If you're at a level where you can be reasonably competitive for entrance to top conservatories, then you're probably at a competitive enough level for the show. You should be a refined performer, good stage presence, and of course, don't forget that you also will be interviewed on air as well. I have had lots of friends appear on the show (both TV and radio), and in addition to their wonderful performing skills, they're also good 'talkers' - extroverted popular kids very visible in their communities, usually a member of one of the nation's top boarding schools for the arts, or a member of the pre-college of one of the nation's top conservatories.</p>
<p>I also have known many students who have appeared on the show since its inception. The players are all accomplished - some distinctly more than others. As with any other competitive venture, there are other accomplished and even better students who are missed - they don't apply, fail to attract the attention of the "right" people, etc. </p>
<p>Although I believe there is an application process, From the Top does invite many of its performers directly from various pre-college prgrams, major competition winners, etc. Some would say that's politics - I leave that to each to decide. (Welcome to the world of music....) </p>
<p>The students seem to enjoy the experience, and it is an honor. If, on the other hand, you apply and are rejected, I wouldn't use this rejection alone as a definitive measure of your talent.</p>
<p>I've known several kids who appeared on the radio and TV versions -- of those, some were affiliated with NEC prep, Colburn, or SF Conservatory Prep programs and some auditioned at Aspen. The kids fill out applications and are interviewed before the show; most of them are charming and articulate, but they also write scripts for some of them, working up funny routines; other interviews are more ad-libbed; Christopher O'Reilly has a great spontaneous sense of humor and good timing. The experience is great -- a wonderful group of people run the show, with the aim of raising the profile of talented young musicians, by showcasing them and also getting them out into the community and providing generous need-based scholarships.</p>
<p>I believe, all participants receive at least a $7,500 merit scholarship from the show itself, if they are accepted for undergrad at NEC.</p>
<p>One sponsor gives $10,000 need-based awards to participants (to buy instruments, etc.). The website has past shows, podcasts, and all sorts of entertaining entries (and an application form) -- I don't think the selection process is "political" but it probably helps to be in a high level prep program. The kids I know who have been on the show have gone on to Harvard, Yale, Oberlin, University of Wisconsin, Juilliard, Colburn, Curtis.</p>
<p>Don't have access to said high-level prep program, but at least a great teacher. The DVD is going to have to be made on the cheap; will try to borrow good sound equipment, and use the church. Worth a shot in any case, and will keep fingers crossed. It sounds as though they must need a lot of talent passing through to fill those slots. And surely not everyone goes to Interlochen. Thanks for all the info.</p>
<p>datripp-- i agree that they can't and probably don't want to get all their talent from the prep programs. how competitive it is may also have some relationship to what instrument your child is applying on. violinists are a dime a dozen, but a great harp player maybe not so much. </p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>The written portion of the application is probably equally important -- along with showcasing top level performances, they are looking to tell interesting stories and for kids who will be fun for audiences to hear - something quirky? and they seem especially to like nonpretentious, nice kids. Have your kid listen to some of the broadcasts before filling out the application.</p>
<p>One of our local chamber groups was on. They are all terrific players with great teachers, but all attended public school and none attended a precollege type program. Two of the players are now at Curtis, one is at Colburn and the 4th, who could have gone anywhere, has decided not to pursue music.</p>
<p>Good to know, guys. I of course think he's a charming goof, but who listens to The Mother? Nobody with good sense. Thanks for the input. Sounds like it takes about three months for them to get back to you. I don't know how they're fixed for tenors, but listening to past performers in that area, it seems as though he's at least in the ballpark.</p>