<p>Mezzo’sMama–I visited all the schools before I auditioned, and met people in both mus-ed and vocal perf, in spring 2008. </p>
<p>Re. Frost, I just visited this past week, and had a sample lesson with Dean Southern. I thought he was a pretty good teacher, but I think I felt more comfortable with Dr. Snider down at UNT. </p>
<p>As for WCC, I tried to ask her and she said no–she wants me to get a move on on choosing a college and arranging for housing, so that I have priority in the future. Miami said that the first people to house in their freshman year have priority through all 4 years–and while I may or may not choose Miami, I have to be ready just in case. </p>
<p>Re: the lightening/darkening issue, what I meant is that by nature (at this point in my very young life), I have a big dark voice, and I’m concerned that people at certain schools will try to make it what it’s not, which is lighter. Or is that not right?</p>
<p>WCC Quote: it’s not been known to attract the best in faculty or students for VP–I have to disagree on this one. We were just there this week, and heard quite a few excellent voices, and sat in on and observed/took lessons or opera workshop classes from 3 different teachers. Contact Sharon Sweet there. 8 of the 10 students she sent to NATS this year placed. 3 of them won. She herself has a very big voice, so she might be a good fit. She is a very picky yet joyful, positive teacher, very energetic. Other teachers I would recommend would be Laura Brooks Rice and Sally Wolf. The kids at WCC were happy, thrilled to be there, very supported by faculty and supported by each other. Of course, there are other, legitimate reasons not to choose WCC, like size, or the fact that there are nearly all voice students there, not a big mix of majors, or you don’t like the location. But not choosing it because you can’t find a good voice teacher there seems silly. Good luck! And, as others have said, you can transfer later. After a year at WCC, you’ll definitely be singing better, so you can move on from there. I can’t speak to the other programs, but Music Ed is great at WCC. You’d be very well prepared. My H is a graduate and he has been teaching for more than 20 years–elementary, HS, Jr HS, and college. He feels the education he got there prepared him well.</p>
<p>Agree with sopranomom92 re voice faculty at WCC… DD’s HS voice teacher wanted her to go there and study with Sharon Sweet. He has sent graduate students there to her. When DD visited a couple of years ago, they were celebrating 2 students (or recent grads) who had just become Met competition finalists that had studied with one of the other teachers, I’m sorry I do not remember the name. . DD did not select WCC for other reasons, but faculty was not one of them. Although they used to be together, which DD liked, MT is now a separate program on the Rider campus instead of on the WCC campus. Not sure how much they mix anymore. </p>
<p>Although DD did not apply there, we have too have heard good things about the UNT program. As for Texas weather, realize that you are in school during the fall/winter/spring months. Except for returning in August, you are not there for the hottest part. And then you will be most likely in air conditioning all the time. DD has found it wonderful to be in temperate winters in TX. Though I believe winters in that part of TX can also get snow. DD was also a little concerned about going to TX as an East Coast girl. No religion issues, but culture difference. What she found is that at the campus is not at all like her stereotyped vision of TX. Her campus is very cosmopolitan and diverse. Such a large music school is going to attract students from all over. Go back and check and see if they have student organizations that suit your other interests and religion. </p>
<p>Sorry, don’t know much about Frost.</p>
<p>Good luck, you do have good options all around.</p>
<p>While my D didn’t choose WCC, she attended four summer programs there and we know it quite well. Had she been a MusEd major, it probably would have been at the top of the list. </p>
<p>Here in the Philly area, it’s hard to find a vocal group of any size that’s not been touched in some way by Westminster. Between their degree and non-degree programs, most independent choral directors and a large number of those in schools have had some training there and none of them that I’ve ever talked to have anything bad to say about it.</p>
<p>Their choral performance opportunities are second to nobody. Students there regularly perform with the NY Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Westminster Choir has a standing gig at the Spoleto Fesitval in Charleston, SC every year.</p>
<p>My D has had the pleasure of performing under both Joe Miller and James Jordan and is in awe of both of them as directors.</p>
<p>No, it’s probably not your best choice if you’re looking for an opera career, which is why she’s not going there, but for education and choral directing, it’s pretty hard to find a better school.</p>
<p>DD is considering gap year now…NEVER saw that one coming…The steam coming out of DH’s ears is fianlly starting to abate…What is today the 11th? 19 days until check has to be at schools…Oh good grief!</p>
<p>Oh, opera-mom, I’m sorry. This stress is supposed to be replaced with excitement at having made a choice, NOT starting a search for a gap program!!! Yikes!</p>
<p>DD is considering cosmotology school and studying with a teacher in Manhattan that she loves…(feels she could use the skills from cosmotology to support herself as she pursues a singing career)…She thinks a year to gain some perspective (and continue to develop her voice) might do her good.–would then audition at a few NYC schools the next year…Have a lesson scheduled at one of her choices next week (where she received a nice scholarship)…so still taking it one step at a time. Life with an artist is never boring…and shouldn’t be! (She is such an artsey kid in so many ways and in my opinion that is what will make her a great performer in the end…so will consider letting her explore)</p>
<p>I would encourage her to stay in school at this point, opera-mom. She needs an education so that she has options. She is very bright, a good student, and much of what enriches an artist is an excellent academic perspective. Her social circle will be very limited if she pursues this current idea…it is hard to find others who are dedicated and on track at her age doing an ala carte education. Unless she is in classes of like-minded students, she will not be comfortable. My twenties-something students struggle with this issue, but they are old enough to do many things musically which she will not be able to handle. I cannot imagine that this teacher she likes so much would think this is a good idea at her age. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Was trying to say what came out of Don’s mouth so much better(thanks, Don!)- Westminster is very well known for it’s choral programs and I’ve known graduates who were pleased with their education there and have very successful teaching careers, hence the plus for the education dept there too. You can’t beat the location either(attended K and 1st grade there& then grew up in Bucks County,across the river) and, of course, Princeton is a really lovely place to spend 4 years! I just don’t think WCC is the place to go to get the best premininary training for an opera career and, after looking at their curriculum for VP majors, I stand by that. That does not mean that they haven’t had students who have done well in VP, because they have, but they are, first and foremost a school which concentrates on ensemble work ( they have 8 choral groups!).
Singersmom07, the teacher you were trying to recall is Laura Brooks Rice, and she is excellent- one of the students in question attended WCC for both undergrad and grad while the other only attended as a grad student. Interesting that they were both finalists in the Met Council auds in the same year('07).
The weather in north Texas, many singers abhore air conditioning and shy away from it at all costs- don’t know it the antidiva is in that group, but my D is. It’s all relative, because those of us used to Eastern or Great Lakes weather may find Texas akin to the Gobi Desert, whereas those from humid Southern areas might think it blessed relief!
Antidiva, I am glad that you had a chance to meet with Dean Southern, but it’s also good that you are able to compare teachers in “real time”. It’s really too bad that you can’t get time to check out teachers at WCC since you’ve gotten some good referrals. I can understand that your Mom is anxious to get things finalized, but I’m not at all sure that what you heard from Frost is really accurate, and if it is, it’s their issue, because I haven’t heard anything similar from any other school. It’s returning students who get priority in housing choices, but they’re all tossed into the same pot one the lottery/selection process opens (some schools give priority to certain years for certain types of acccomodations, such as apartments…). Would there be any chance of showing mom some web sites which illustrate this so that she eases up for 10 days? I really feel for you and for your Mom in this, and wish that some sort of compromise could be reached. Oh, the seemingly endless problem of “tuning” the voice- The most important thing that my D learned from her voice lessons, auditions and summer sessions has been the abilty to say “NO”. Now, if confronted with someone who wants her to sing something which feels uncomfortable or worse, dangerous, she has the confidence to say, " No, that isn’t right for my voice and I won’t sing it". She was able to question the faculty at each school she was considering and accertain their positions on vocal health and safe singing and found the combination of a school and teacher who felt as she did. It sounds as though you are at least aware that you may find yourself in a position where you could be directed to do something that might later prove harmful- discuss this with your new teacher before you even begin the first lesson and make sure that you are both in accordance on the direction you will be expected to take. Just from reading your posts, it’s clear that you are bright and doing your best to find the proper niche for yourself. I really wish you well and hope that you make it through the rest of the month with minimal stress.
Opera-mom- do you need the name of my hairdresser? Sounds as if you are going to be needing the services of a good colorists- the roots are the first thing to go with all of this stress! Just remember to breathe…</p>
<p>Mezzosmama…my son went to a summer program at Westminster. I think he was a freshman at the time…rising soph…or 8th to 9th…thats not the important thing. He went because it was local, recommended, and his “girlfriends” parents both graduated with music degrees. We were completely ignorant about anything to do with music schools at that point. But, it seemed like a good idea to send him there. He did enjoy it, but the focus was definitely on choral music back then…I’ve heard it has changed. The actual school is ugly, lol…yes Princeton is gorgeous…but that school is not part of Princeton…though its easy to get to…its not a pretty place at all.</p>
<p>After the kids were in the summer program down there…both of her parents told us, it is not the best choice for kids who want to be soloists. Granted, my son is graduating in May now…the ex-gf is going on for her Masters at U of M…mine to Jacobs. Both started out thinking a dual ed degree was a good idea…both dropped it once they were 1/2 into the first semester.</p>
<p>I’m not saying its good or bad…just the actual experience we had.</p>
<p>PS…her parents told her not to go there…(again 4 yrs ago)…because the voice teachers were inadequate for her voice…again…I’m NOT an expert…i still learn new stuff everyday about this major!</p>
<p>DD just called and looks like college is back in the plans…she needed room to be able to think through all of her choices…and make the decision for herself…glad we gave her the freedom to explore all of her choices…still taking it one step at a time!</p>
<p>Wow I am so glad I am not alone. I can believe how stressful the decision making process is. My daughter has some great options and narrowed it down to two schools - NEC and IU for bassoon performance. But the financial aspects of all of this is just so daunting. She got decent merit scholarships from both schools but there is still a large amount for us to cover. NEC is more expensive than IU so we were hoping for IU. But she wants NEC. One day I am with her, the next day against the decision. My husband and I keep going back and forth trying to figure out how we are going to make this happen. The stress in unbearable! He has now decided to make NEC happen for her and thought I would be thrilled. But then I got nervous! It is just so hard to know what the right thing to do is. She visited NEC three times and had lessons with two of the instructors. This is what she wants and what I want for her - most of the time! The money from IU is hard to walk away from though. Any feedback would be appreciated.</p>
<p>have you let NEC know they are top choice but you need more money??? It can be very effective…I know one girl who was offered $14k scholarship at one school but only $8K at another…wants to go to the school that offered the smaller scholarship…Went to the school with info on what else she had been offered…1st choice school matched it…</p>
<p>Also give them information of what cost of attendence is at 2nd choice school vs their school (actual dollar amounts)…let them decide how much they want you child…</p>
<p>Opera-Mom, yes we did appeal to NEC but we were denied. They did say that next year there may be more money available as more than half of the studio will be graduating. NEC gave her $10K, which may or may not be alot for them. I really don’t know. IU wound up giving her more money after our appeal. But after so many people has told her that NEC would be the better place for her to go with several valid reasons, I dont know how I can tell her that she HAS to go to a school that she has now decided against, not that IU is not a great school and that she wouldn’t get a great education. She is just worried that she may not get as much performance time because the studio is so large. She also thinks that being in Boston will give her more opportunities for networking, outside gigs and has now realized that maybe a smaller school is what she wanted all along. IU was really the only big school she applied to. We kept hearing that even though it was big, that music majors practically lived in the music buildings so it didn’t matter that there were 30,000 students. But I guess after the last visit to NEC, she just felt she would be more comfortable there. I was thrilled when she got accepted to NEC . I was so proud. But when the reality of the money hit home, I think I started having anxiety attacks! I am glad that I have this forum to vent.</p>
<p>We were close to a final decision when a new wrinkle appeared. Just found out last night that the horn professor at Frost is leaving for the University of New Mexico (UNM). Mr. J.D.Shaw told our S that he would love to still have him as a student, but now it would have to be in New Mexico. I had just finished our financial aid appeal to Miami too. </p>
<p>The academic standards for admission seem to be WAY WAY lower at UNM than U. Miami - not so good. Also, we have no idea what the music program is like at UNM. YIKES! What an unexpected turn of events. </p>
<p>The Frost folks could not yet say who will be the new horn professor. The position has been offered to some mystery person and they are hoping for an acceptance within a week. Of course we wouldn’t have much time for a sample lesson before May 1st. </p>
<p>What is the Universe telling us? Hang tight for Frost and the new mystery prof? Further pursue a wild west option following prof Mr. Shaw? Go with choice no. 2 - SUNY at Buffalo with the full tuition scholarship, another wonderful teacher (Jacek Muzyk principal at Buffalo Philharmonic), the Honors College Invitation, and lots of relatives in the area? Oye. Stressed - yes.</p>