My S is graduating from South Carolina in May and has applied to Yale, CIM, Maryland, UGA, Rice and UT-Austin. So far he’s received audition invites to all but UT (believe it was an application issue but they are last on his list anyway) and Yale (waiting to hear back).
I should mention he plays Bass Trombone and is focused on orchestral music. Don’t have time to search through all the threads on here, but any comments/advice/input on the aforementioned programs are much appreciated.
Moving to the music forum.
I can give you some insight into the CIM program.If your son is looking for an orchestral career, CIM is a great place since both of the faculty members in the trombone dept hold chairs in the Cleveland Orchestra. The contacts made through teachers like that can not be underestimated, and it’s not unusual for students themselves to hold seats in nearby orchestras while still in school.
The conservatory fields two orchestras- you can listen to some of their archived concerts on line. Their performances at Severance Hall are very well attended with the community knowing that those students are the future of music. It’s a small school with personal attention from every office and the cost of living in the area is eminently affordable. Flights in and out of Hopkins are easy and there are several low-cost carriers.
If you or your son has specific questions, feel free to PM me.
If money is an issue, Yale’s grad programs are tuition free–which perhaps you already know.
Thank you to all who responded. My S applied to 6 graduate music programs and was invited to audition at 5: U of Georgia, U of Maryland, Rice, CIM, and last but not least, Yale. Excited about Yale but trying not to get my hopes up too much!
Some grad programs will surprise you with funding and maybe even stipend for teaching. Yale is tuition free but you still have room and board and other expenses. It’s a great school of course. Many good choices at the audition stage! Sounds like he is doing very well. Good luck to him!!
Yale does offer a small stipend.
He’s off to Maryland today, audition tomorrow. Quick question: Any idea on how many students Yale invites to audition, and how many of those actually receive offers? I realize it’s somewhat instrument-related, but just curious about his chances. Also, any good tips for his audition? Thank you in advance!
What relationships does his current professor at South Carolina have with the professors at those schools?
Has your son worked with any of the professors in summer programs?
Good question - his professor has connections with CIM and Peabody, but he’s also authored several books on technique and is well known in trombone circles. My S has met with each professor and had a private with them this past year with the exception of Rice.
Georgia and Maryland are done…Rice next week, CIM the week after and Yale in late Feb
Good luck!
Thank you @compmom, I am more nervous than he is 8-}
By the way, he was very impressed by Rice and had a solid audtion. He’s starting to recognize some of the same people auditioning on his instrument from the other schools he’s been to, I’m guessing it’s probably a small group of quality B-Bone players so hoping everyone gets an offer from their top choice…
Yale audition completed…now we wait it out.
Good luck!
Received acceptance notification for the first two, one via email and one via snail mail. No details on costs and funding/scholarships included yet, both mentioned more details to follow Waiting to hear back on the “big 3”.
Congratulations! I have a son who has applied for MM in violin performance. He just completed his last audition of only two he applied to last Friday. I am a little anxious about scholarship offers. He applied to NEC and Juilliard, two schools at two major cites with the high living costs.
Octaves - I believe it’s possible at both schools to negotiate for more assistance at the graduate level, if it’s too low. At least folks on this forum have been successful at it in the past… There are also ways to supplement one’s income if a grad student at those two reputable conservatories in two large cities. Lessons, gigs, and more.
SpiritManager, thank you for your tip. For master’s program, do schools really look at parents’ income to decide on the amount of scholarship? My son, husband and I had to file a very thorough income statement for both schools. Before my son decided to apply to college in violin performance, I never imagined I would be supporting my child’s education beyond college.