<p>OK, Just got back from the performing arts college fair at the Kennedy Center. We were told by most of the schools with Jazz Studies programs they they admitted 2-5 drumset player. Wow. So my question is, how can we get an accurate evaluation of my son's playing, to find out if he really has the potential to get into a major conservatory. He's been told this by teachers and such, but we'd like to get a totally unbiased, honest evaluation. </p>
<p>Thanks,
David.</p>
<p>Oh, and just fyi, we're in the DC, Baltimore area.</p>
<p>DD, I don't know what schools your son is considering, but most of the ones mine is have a pre-audition requirement, which will greatly reduce the numbers who actually are invited to audition. So it isn't 2-5 out of 50 auditioners accepted, but probably 2-5 out of a far fewer number. Still seems daunting!</p>
<p>Also, has your son been selected for all-state jazz, been commended for a outstanding performance at a jazz festival, taken a class with a college professor? All of these help you determine where your son sits in the applicant pool.</p>
<p>Unless the teachers have recent first-hand experience with other kids who have been accepted to a major music program, you have to take what they say with a large grain of salt. </p>
<p>The sources that -Allmusic- cites are better indicators, as are acceptance to top summer programs, participation in highly selective youth groups and opinions from well-known professionals in the field.</p>
<p>There is a musician/educator in the DC area named Paul Carr who may be able to assist you. You can get his contact information from <a href="http://www.paulcarrjazz.com%5B/url%5D">www.paulcarrjazz.com</a>. He has taught a number of students who have been accepted to major conservatories in recent years. Also attending IAJE and observing the student performances was helpful to me and my S in determining whether he was at that level. Good luck.</p>
<p>Drummerdad, welcome to the club. All of us have been in your shoes at some point in time, questioning just how talented our kids are in a national pool of applicants. Teachers' opinions are important, but are only meaningful if they are familiar with this broad applicant pool. As stated above, state recognitions, winning competitions, summer programs are all good ways to get a better and broader perspective.</p>
<p>Since you appear to be Maryland residents, I think it would be wise to begin your search at the University of Maryland, College Park, even if your son resists. Get in touch with the percussion department and find out which teacher specializes in drumset or jazz. Arrange a lesson with this person. Attend a performance (there are jazz chamber recitals tomorrow and Wednesday nights). There is also a one week percussion workshop during the summer. Even if your son doesn't want to go there, he may determine that it would be a good safety school, and he may get good feedback to help him in looking at other schools.</p>
<p>Every school admits more students than they need, because some inevitably choose to attend elsewhere. How many ultimately enroll affects how many they will accept the following year. For example, I know USC accepted 4 jazz bassists last year, expecting 2 to enroll. If none of the 4 students chose USC, they will be looking for more than usual. If all 4 attended USC, then they will likely only accept 1 or 2 the next year.</p>
<p>It's almost impossible to judge someone's talent on a national level. Even if someone were immensely talented, each school's needs differ yearly as shown above. Because of the uncertainty, it's important to have a few safety schools that the student will be happy attending (relatively speaking).</p>
<p>The only true way to judge on a national scale would be if someone were accepted into the GRAMMY jazz band. Past high school participants include Peter Cincotti (a 21-year old vocalist/pianist who has been called the next Harry Connick Jr. and whose degut album reached #2 on the Billboard jazz charts), Carlos Henriquez (current bassist with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra) and even David Grossman, bassist with the NY Phil.</p>
<p>The Clifford Brown All-Stars is the group comprised of NFAA winners in jazz, which is also a national ( and to some degree international) competition. Since the group is featured at the IAJE conference, attending is a good way to see the level at which nationally recognized high school students perform. That's why I recommend it. It is being held in January in NYC. If I understand correctly, DD, your S is applying for fall 2007 admission. That does not give you a lot of time for assessment. I agree that contacting the music departments at your State U is a good start. I recommended the person in my earlier post is because he is a performing musician who also taught two brothers, one a NFAA finalist and the other a winner, both of whom are now in their second year at Juilliard.</p>
<p>OK, I think we'll probably take him up to Peabody or UMD for an assessment.</p>
<p>As for the Paul Carr suggestion, not such a good one. He's not so hot on our son because he auditioned for Paul Carr's top big band, and after 2 rehearsals had to drop out because it conflicated with All county jazz rehearsals.</p>
<p>oops--no problem, DD. I don't know Carr personally or anything. But it sounds like your son is in good shape. If he was playing in Carr's top band and is All-county, I would anticipate that the assessments you have already received will be validated. Again, good luck.</p>
<p>There's also the Essentially Ellington competition put on by Jazz at Lincoln Center. But this is for competing high school jazz bands, not soloists. However, several individual participants from last May's competition are current freshman at Julliard, Berklee, New School, USC, Oberlin, UCLA, etc.</p>
<p>This is definitely a positive sign, but it can't be considered proof positive of anything other than your child succeeded in being recognized as an All-State musician this year.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong as this is a great accomplishment, but once again, admission to a music school is very heavily dependent on the prospective student's audition when compared to the audition of other student's. A bad day for your child and great day by others could ruin the whole process, and vice versa... </p>
<p>The best barometer of whether or not your son can "run with the big dogs" is to get an unbiased evaluation from people who know, like the person mentioned above. Additionally, visiting schools and having lessons is the perfect time to ask the question whether or not your child is a viable candidate for that school.</p>
<p>Good news! Definitely a feel-good moment for son and parents but, as Zep says, you can't be very sure about anything yet. (Consider the total number of All-State drummers for 50 states vs. the total number of openings this year in top Jazz programs. Then consider that a lot of kids don't bother with honors ensembles for one reason or another.) </p>
<p>At the very least, your son's achievement tells you that it is worth his time and yours to take the next steps and go ahead with those school visits and sample lessons and to start looking at the more selective summer programs.</p>
<p>We have found acceptance to jazz All-states to be very odd...Some terrific players we know in our state never made it into ASs, even after getting recognition at Ellington, for example. Several got into excellent music programs despite being rejected from ASs. </p>
<p>There is tremendous variability between states, or so it seems.</p>