<p>My guys have all switched to Amazon for music downloads–can share with anyone and songs are cheaper.</p>
<p>From a friend:
I started thinking of things I’d want if I were getting ready to go off to college to study music. These are “bonus” items, not the ones required by the university, and owned by the truest GEEKS among us. 
I think some good ideas are:
- A good metronome. I love my Korg metronome/tuner. They’re $32-35.
- A good pitch pipe. The only one worth buying (in my opinion) is the best one. It’s by Master Key. They’re probably about $20. (Needed for a cappella and useful for aural skills practice when a piano is unavailable.)
- A decent music stand that’s very portable. Pro-Line makes a decent one for about $20. There’s a jillion options. I’m partial to the Wittner one, but it’s REALLY hard to find around here! Not so hard to find online, though.
- A legitimate digital piano or keyboard that can live in the dorm room under the bed or whatever.
- Software called Sibelius. It’s pretty fab. I mean, this is the one item that I don’t have that I’d looooooove to own!
- I also saw a music light that I have and love. It’s a Mighty Brite Duet. Have to have the Duet if you’re going to use a music light. Morgan uses mine as a book light, too. It was 19.9?.</p>
<p>I was thinking of a nice, REAL white bow tie for S, the voice major. He has his first big performance as a soloist with an orchestra coming up in March. But when it is okay for singers to wear white bow ties? He’s always worn a black tie with his tux–for singing, anyway (various colors for parties). Does this mean he needs tails, too?!</p>
<p>Will look into the Master Key pitch pipe–thanks, MaryTN.
Also thinking of a cheap, plug-in portable keyboard.</p>
<p>Last but not least: voice lessons with his home voice teacher during the too-short holiday break</p>
<p>How about a camcorder? Tell your kid to have a friend record his/her performances–then you can watch them later!</p>
<p>I second the Zoom recorder. My son has one, and really likes it.</p>
<p>If you get a zoom, you might also want to get a decent tripod.</p>
<p>My D has asked for a leather messenger bag to carry her music. Her wish list (after visiting Oberlin last week) now includes gloves, heavy coat, hat, wool stockings. Not something we need very often in the South.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that Miranda Sings has a new Christmas album!</p>
<p>Zoom Q3. It’s a zoom recorder with video (not HQ video, but definitely HQ sound).</p>
<p>S is going to Jamaica during J-term w/his music directors annual trip, so the trip and a couple of pair of shorts are his Christmas. I am pretty sure he won’t complain, except maybe about the shorts. Finding white and/or off-white shorts this time of year in the Midwest was not easy. Thank goodness for Land’s End clearance.</p>
<p>I’m finally getting a new, NICE, stand. I’ve had the same one since I started playing…10 years ago. It’s rusting and doesn’t stay up well anymore. 
Also, maybe get my bow re-haired.
I really want to get my instrument serviced (cleaned and the strings have started to dig into the bridge) when I have the funds.
Classical CDs from good orchestras make good holiday gifts. :)</p>
<p>Can’t really afford it, but our sax repairman has a nice student bass clarinet completely refurbished that I’m awfully tempted to put under the tree. Son is supposed to double on the instrument in his studio band but borrowing one is problematic.
Also, I LOVE the Zoom recorder. Great idea if you don’t have one.</p>
<p>My wife found a t-shirt for my son (voice major). It says something like - “I don’t want to have to use my opera voice”.</p>
<p>I found that shirt and another that said: Opera is when the leading guy gets stabbed and instead of bleeding, he sings. HO HO HO</p>
<p>Roland synth; should arrive today.</p>
<p>Speaking of t-shirts, I found what may be the most expensive one I’ve ever seen: [The</a> Silver Vault, Ecaroh Music Company](<a href=“http://www.horacesilver.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=33]The”>http://www.horacesilver.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=33)</p>
<p>I’m sure he’d love it, but I haven’t been able to rationalize the price yet.</p>
<p>His birthday is in January … maybe I’ll let it slide 'til then.</p>
<p>I’d be afraid to put that t-shirt in the washing machine. I noticed it’s been online since 2006 and they still have inventory, so you’re not the only one who’s afraid to buy it.</p>
<p>riku92- regarding smart music. Somehow, the search feature on smart music isn’t always intuitive. I can tell you that it has the 24 italian songs and arias, 56 songs you like to sing, some puccini arias and various other pieces that beginning classical vocalists would perform. Sometimes if you put a publisher in the search feature such as schirmer, you get better results</p>
<p>A nice gift for a college age singer—a membership to :</p>
<p>[YAP</a> Tracker - Opera, Classical Voice and Musical Theater Auditions](<a href=“http://www.yaptracker.com/]YAP”>http://www.yaptracker.com/)</p>
<p>Cartera, bite your tongue! Just the mere thought of that makes me a bit ill!
Mary, note that keyboards are not always allowed in dorm rooms- some schools permit practicing in rooms and others don’t. You don’t find out until you ask…
OperaDad, do they make that for guys too? Last year, I got one for my D which has the archtypical “larger than life” female Teutonic singer, repleat with horned helmet and staff in hand, and the shirt reads, “Don’t make me have to use my Opera Voice”!
Cafe Press has many fun items for all kinds of musicians- every instrument and voice too- from tote bags to shirt and even staff paper, and right now, they have a free shipping deal too!</p>
<p>MMom- thanks for the Cafe Press rec. Some fun stuff there. I did not see the free shipping mentioned, can you point the direction??</p>
<p>mezzomama - Oh no! You are not one of the haters are you? She cracks me up. I love the videos of her giving the Billy Elliott cast sing-ging, acting and dance lessons. She also went to London to sing with the cast of Wicked. I think Defying Gravity may have been written with her in mind.</p>