<p>I'm a Freshman at Baldwin-Wallace this year with an undeclared major. However, I really love classical music and plan to audition for the vocal performance program this coming January 31st. It's not like I have no experience; I have been taking private vocal lessons for almost five years, and I work really hard to do my best. I'm a light coloratura soprano, and I'm taking lessons with a voice professor at Baldwin-Wallace (who's offered to write my recommendation letter) in addition to a private teacher outside of school. I've always been a shy sort of girl who was afraid to share her talent in high school, but I did recitals outside of school with a private teacher. I was also born with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, so I can't play piano with my right hand and I can only sight read and play slowly with my left.
However, I'm really scared that I won't be good enough, and get rejected. I read somewhere that only 78 out of 478 students (16%) who auditioned for the vocal performance program last semester got in. Is that really true? That's only 9% less difficult then the acceptance rate at Julliard which is 6.7%. A part of me is saying "I know I can nail this audition, but the more doubtful part of me is saying "Only in your dreams." I've been working so hard, and I'll be devastated if I don't make it. Please give me answers and advice!</p>
<p>The acceptance rate overall for the con is about 63%, so I’m not sure where you came up with the number that you listed, and an entering class (even allowing for a few transfers) of 70+ VP freshman is far too large, so those numbers are all off!
Please, stop worrying so much right now. Have you selected and prepared the right repertoire for your audition? Do you have all of the letters of recommendation ready to go, is your application submitted? Get in there and do the best that you possibly can, and that is all that you can do. Each and every time you audition, it’s the same thing- you get up there and sing the very best that you can. It’s subjective, most of the time, they’ll like you, sometimes they won’t, but the only thing within your control is how you sing that day.
Wishing you the very best of luck! I’ll start the acceptance thread in about a month and I’m looking forward to seeing your name there!</p>
<p>@MezzosMama Thank you so much! I too was skeptical of that percentage, but just the thought freaked me out. I feel a lot better now! Initially I was going to audition this November 15th, but my voice professor at BW was the one who suggested I audition for the January 31st audition instead to get my repertoire more confidently prepared.
I’m working on these three arias to prepare for my audition:
•L’ho Perduta from Le Nozze Di Figaro by Mozart (This one was very easy to learn quickly. All that’s left is the dynamics and timing in certain spots).
•Alma del Core in G major from La Constanza in amor l’inganno by Antonio Caldera
Long Time Ago by Aaron Copland ( This has been the most challenging to learn because of the extended breath marks, but I know the melody. I’m working on the extended breaths though).</p>
<p>That’s really good to hear, Alice! Those pieces are good for you (just list yourself as a soprano on your application- don’t "over-fach yourself, ever, and there is nothing there yet to bring coloratura into the mix), and it sounds like you and your teacher have a good working relationship, which is really important. Make sure to talk to a conservatory admissions counselor about the piano testing and any documentation that they may need about your physical limitation; that can not keep you out of the program and they have to make an accommodation for it, but it’s far better to discuss this in advance.
Sounds like you are on the right track!</p>