<p>chrisr, </p>
<p>"But I don't know if they will get to keep that ipod or not."........what do you mean?</p>
<p>Peggy - Did you check E-Bay for (gulp) unlicensed merchandise?</p>
<p>Razorback,
I know that the students at OCU are supposed to be issued an Apple laptop and an ipod when they begin the new technological contract that they plan to begin sometime next semester. I just don't know and have wondered if the ipod and computer will be their property or be something they have to return at the end of the semester. But I also don't think they have a definite date on which the program will start.</p>
<p>Bumping, as it is that time of year again! Anyone having any great new, MT-related gift ideas, bring 'em on! :)</p>
<p>Havent read through the list..but a digital voice recorder is great for lessons!..after i am done with a lesson i go home and plug it into my computer and import my lesson into my itunes..so i can have my lesson and accompianment for that particular song that i am learning for the week to listen onto my ipod</p>
<p>Great idea, TheatreJock. Are they expensive?</p>
<p>I love fun gifts. My son, though not a Mter has been heavily involved in MT at college this year and is taking some courses in the field. I got him the "High School Musical" game and DVD. I also got him some nice tickets to a show with some $$ so he and a friend can have dinner too, but I'm going to enjoy his expression when he gets the first gift.</p>
<p>How about a subscription to "Back Stage" magazine? I think I am going to do that for my S. Gives them a good read about what is going on in the MT world! Also love all the DVD's from PBS. They have some great DVD's that showcase old Tony award shows. Stage make up is a cool idea as well. Did that last year. I have to say my kids favorite is tix to a Braodway show. Always a hit! Happy shopping!</p>
<p>You can also buy a recording device that attaches directly to the IPod. Costs about $60. We bought one for D before she left for BTP this summer. Came in handy there. She has used it many times since then at her voice lessons. Her voice teacher can play the piano accompaniment for a new song, then she can listen whenever she wants at home, etc. And can download to ITunes to listen on her computer. We also recently purchased an IGo (I think that's what it's called) at Walmart which looks like a mini boombox set-up which she can plug her IPod into and it plays through the speakers. Has come in handy for warming up at some of her auditons so far.</p>
<p>Forgot to add something that I have and absolutely LOVE!!!!!!!!!! A Sirius (or XM) radio for the car or home. They have a Broadway's Best channel that is so much fun. My kids and I are addicted to it! Especially when they do the interviews.</p>
<p>I have an XM account since I have it in my car; my daughters discovered that with this account number/information, they can listen to streaming audio of XM on their computers and my one daughter is always listening to the Broadway channel.</p>
<p>How about a gift certificate for a massage to relieve some of the stress from auditioning (& waiting for responses)? ;-)</p>
<p>Nydancemom, is this the kind of thing you mean:</p>
<p>Belkin Voice Recorder for iPod (F8E462) - ESP $49.99</p>
<p>It says it records in high quality, but mentions recording memos, etc. and not singing. I am not a Luddite, but I also am not very sophisticated when it comes to this kind of thing. If this is what you mean, can you let me know? I would think such a thing would be handy for my D's voice lessons, etc.</p>
<p>NMR, I'm not NYDanceMom :) but yes, that is the kind of recording device these kids seem to use in their voice classes that attach to an IPod. Belkin is one but there is at least one other by Griffin (I am not a techy whatsoever but I know that was the brand my kid had last year). I believe the Griffin may cost less...perhaps $40. I did not know about these before college but once my kid got to her program, everyone seemed to have them, rather than a tape recorder or small recording device. This attachs to the Ipod and records the singing and/or piano onto the IPod. I have to say we have already had to replace it. And I won't even begin to get into the IPod problems my kids have had and the repairs and replacements :(. But this recording device that plugs onto the IPod will come in handy for your D down the line in a voice lesson or in a BFA program. I think they are the norm these days.</p>
<p>Many MP3 players already come with a built-in microphone, so no need for an attachment like the iPods. So, if you don't have an iPod already, I'd look at some of their more reasonably priced competitors (of course, some of them don't look as "cool"). A technogeek friend of mine highly recommends the iRiver.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys and gals. I honestly don't know what I would do without this amazing source of info. I just got off the phone with D's voice teacher (amazing woman ... so knowledgeable and has worked with so many kids) and she said we definitely should get a digital voice recorder to record lessons, music, etc. D has an iPod nano, so I hope that is one of the iPod models that can use this kind of attachment. Guys, do I have to worry about memory size, etc.? Sorry for bombarding you with ?s .... I am worried about buying the wrong thing.</p>
<p>We were going to get our D an I-Pod, but she is still a HS sophomore and her elder brother (a computer engineer) says to wait until she is headed for college because there is some exciting new technology out there which is headed to the market before the next 3 years are over.
She recieved the "Grimmerie" last year ( 2 of them!), but if there is something new out about "RENT" will someone please PM me so that I can get it? Thanks!
Also, remember to check out lesser known shows like "Jane Eyre","The Last Five Years",the concert recording of "Sweeney Todd" with Patti Lupone and Geairge Hearn.</p>
<p>The Griffin and Belkin recorder attachments are NOT compatible with the IPOD Nano. Or at least not with last year's Nano. Technology changes quickly though, so maybe that's changed with newer models. :) </p>
<p>We wound up buying D a little I-river (which has been great) instead, as there was no plug in recorder available for the IPOD Nano.</p>
<p>I got my D the Griffin iTalk (it was on her wish list) at Radio Shack for $39.99. It was actually about $20 more expensive on the Griffin web site. It works with the iPod with video. I looked at reviews on the internet, and this one seemed to be preferred over the Belkin. </p>
<p>Other stocking stuffer ideas would be an iTune gift card so they can download music and fast food/restaurant gift cards.</p>
<p>The massage sounds awesome. I know, especially during the first few intense weeks of studio, that a massage sounded so awesome, and I just couldn't bring myself to spend my personal money on it. </p>
<p>The iPod recorder, especially the one by Belkin, rocks. Everyone in class has the Belkin one, but I'm sure that the Griffin one is great as well. But the Belkin is truly amazing. It has great sound quality, and you can just upload all the recordings onto your computer via USB cable. This is awesome, because now I will have a record of my progress from year 1 to year 4. And I can also record myself practicing/composing/anything else that involves sound, so thats great. </p>
<p>But any gift certificates to places in their area (especially if they are at college) are an awesome gift. </p>
<p>Chris</p>