<p>I've noticed many references from parents about their sons and daughters being sick at the time of college auditions. This is also something my son (jazz studies/drum set) faced last winter. Considering the time of year that auditions are held and the simple fact that there's a great deal of exposure to "flu and cold bugs" while attending competitions, performances and senior social events this is something to seriously consider.</p>
<p>As an example, my son received just one letter of rejection and, fortunately, it was not one of his preferred schools - The audition? As we were traveling to the university my son started to show flu-like symptoms, and 6 hours later had a high fever and nasty hacking cough... just in time for his audition and interview. Afterwards, he told us that he felt he played pretty dynamically for being so sick but evidently the admissions folks didn't care for his performance or were just "put off" by his obvious symptoms.</p>
<p>So here's the deal. This problem is more common than many of us care to admit, so parents might consider the following.</p>
<ol>
<li>Schedule "first choice school" auditions as far apart, as possible - even if it means taking two trips to distant campuses.</li>
<li>Extend your music students audition schedule over as much time as practical.</li>
<li>Even strong players could benefit from sending a recorded DVD performance audition to at least one "preferred school" and a couple of "safety schools" My son had 100% acceptances with his DVD and only had one school ask for an additional "live" audition before granting him a decent scholarship. </li>
<li>Try to encourage your kids to eat right and get to bed at a reasonable hour during the audition season</li>
</ol>
<p>It would not hurt to have a CD/DVD submission as part of what you’re carrying. I think there were one or two vocalists who were able to substitute that within the past cycle, when they showed up but were physically unable to complete or start the audition. I’ll try and link a thread.</p>
<p>Practice as much preventive health as possible. Washing hands frequently, early reaction to symptoms, prophylactic medication with proper medical supervision if there is a historical issue, avoiding known “pockets” of outbreaks among friends, family, where possible.</p>
<p>We went with the basics (and encourage members of your household to do the same)- get a flu shot (even if you or your student is not considered “high risk”, its worth talking to the MD about, considering that auditions are a determining factor of the student’s life!), carry-and use- hand sanitizer (hand washing isn’t always possible and even if one can, grabbing ahold of a germ-laden faucet or doorknob afterwards defeats the purpose), stay out of crowds as much as possible, use Hall’s Immunity Drops and AirBorne at the first sign of feeling “off” or even daily when stressed or before auditions. REST, even when at the audition- if you are staying over in the area, you can catch some rest during the day, and remeber, while its great to see everything on campus, its even more important to present yourself in the best possible light, so getting to bed early may be more important than exploring the campus hot-spots.
Especially for singers, all of the above, plus keep the humidity levels right, limit extraneous talking and, in particular, limit talking on cell phones since they require one to alter the pitch of the voice and can place great stress on vocal cords. Audition time is not ideal for learning and presenting new rep-go with pieces you perform and know well since muscle memory can get you out of tight spots and provide a needed “security blanket” during this very busy audition season.
Carrying a DVD or CD to auditions, “just in case”, is always a good idea and don’t be afraid to speak to the Admissions Department if sudden illness occurs. They want to help and many will try to reschedule an audition since the adjudicators/faculty members don’t want to catch a bug either! I can’t believe that it will soon be time to wish this year’s group of “auditionees” Good Luck!</p>
<p>Just one comment on Mezzo’sMamma’s comment on contacting the Admissions Department if sudden illness occurs – I’m a great one for keeping communications open with the Admissions Office. However, my advice is to not count on the Admissions Office to make any accomodation for you, such as re-scheduling the audition for a later date if, for example, you were originally scheduled to audition the last day. Northwestern was immovable in this regard. So, the advice is – if you have a number one choice – make sure you schedule that audition early in the audition season so that if you do become ill, you will have options for re-scheduling. The pre-recorded DVD and/or CD may be a good back-up, but there’s nothing like auditioning in person (in full form, of course).</p>
<p>Of course, KeyofH is correct here. Sorry if I made it sound like a school should be expected to “add in” another audition date for you! I was taking it for granted that this would happen earlier in the audition season, in which case I would definitely request to be moved to a later date if they can. But, if Murphy’s Law prevails, then you have two choices- go to the audition, explain that you are ill, do your best and ask if you may leave a CD/DVD with them so that they could hear you peforming under better circumstances. Should you really be too ill too reasonably be expected to perform, then you have nothing to lose by asking if it would be at all possible to hear you at a later time. Now, I’m not saying that you should take two weeks off and lay on the beach, recuperating (however nice that sounds!), but it might well be possible to postpone for a day or two. The profs have been through a long season too and I still maintain that they are not eager to contract anything that would limit their activities, so a very polite inquiry might be able to be accomodated. Do follow the excellent advice about scheduling auditions at the school at the top of your list as early as possible, just to allow for any eventuality.
Has anyone on CC ever encountered this? I mean, illness so severe that performance was just not possible (I know there were a couple of really sick kids last season who bravely “gutted it out” and performed to the best of their abilities), due to emergency surgery, severe illness, etc? If so, what did you/your D/S ask for and how did the schools deal with the request?</p>
<p>Mezzo’s Mama – my words of caution came from my daughter’s experience auditioning at Northwestern. She had a stomach flu en route to the audition the day before. I tried talking to whoever would listen to me at Northwestern about arranging for another audition date and they wouldn’t hear of it because the date she was supposed to audition was the last audition date. No cajoling, begging, badgering, negotiating, etc. moved anyone. My daughter went ahead and auditioned the next day with a slight temperature. Of course she didn’t do her best and was not accepted at Northwestern – the only place from which she was rejected – also the toughest. I guess the good thing is that my daughter can attribute that rejection to having been sick the day she auditioned. She also had laryngitis a few days before her University of Miami audition (a “vocal rescue” from an otolaryngologist saved that situation) and a very bad cold and cough while auditioning at the University of North Texas. Somehow, she got through those situations with flying colors.</p>
<p>Prior to and during the audition cycle, I did everything is my power to try to encourage healthy living (i.e. plenty of sleep, hand washing, vitimins, etc.) and ironically she got sick from colds and flu’s that I, her loving mother, actually brought into the house.</p>
<p>The best laid plans of “mice and mothers”. KeyofH, can sometimes go awry. I really admire your D for going to that last audition and while I know it was their “last” date, I wish that they had at least been willing to listen to her recording so as to compare it with what they heard when she was so clearly ill. Their loss, eh?</p>
<p>Regarding illness and auditions.
Many schools accept a videotaped or DVD audition for students living far away from the campus. One strategy might be to only provide the recorded option for one “safe” school and one “stretch” department.
i.e. Don’t make every audition a “live” one and don’t schedule them all within a few weeks of each other.</p>
<p>Well, my daughter got through six weeks of auditions, traveling all over, without getting sick. Who knows if it made any difference, but after reading about the germs in hotel rooms, I bought disinfectant spray on the way to each new hotel, and sprayed everything - the door knobs, the faucets, the remote control,etc. Also took a tip from another parent and bought a travel humidifier (find it online) that uses a water bottle for the water supply. It really kept the air in the room moist - and I think makes tissues less susceptible to infection. Hope this helps someone.</p>
<p>I can empathize with every parent talking about this. It didnt really start with my son until he got into college…became a big problem as a later sophmore. I know he wasn’t taking care of himself…though I would hound he and his sister at college to get their flu shots, etc…all the things that have been said already. He swears he did them…and I have to say I beleive he was careful. The reason is, he had recurring issues with his throat glands. We had him go to several diff ent’s (after trying the recommendations)…gp’s, herablists, we were getting very hopeless. I actually kind of knew that I thought he may have a problem with preformance anxiety. All of his symptoms come up not at the beginning or middle, but right b4 a major preformance. His vocal teacher pooh pooh’d me as if I were just denying a very serious condition…(like I would after payint $175K ) uh…no…I wanted answers too…but I KNEW that alot of specialists and doctors were saying he is ok…there is nothing wrong…his throat is fine…etc./…yet right b4 every performance, he gets “sinus drainiage” and his glands swell up. As mom…I thought about it and realized that when I get nervous, my stomach goes crazy…If I have some serious stress…my stomach goes crazy and I get migraines…maybe its a genetic thing that we don’t process stress normally?..sooo
I found out that this is very very common for vocal performers…and I’ll assume other performers too. It just comes out in the throat for vp’s. There are some solutions…beta blockers, anti-anxiety meds…etc. My son is still hanging in until he sees our doctor again this month…but, I spoke to the doctor and he told me that it is a very common prescription for ppl who are in the public eye…who woulda known? Its just a thought. My son hasn’t tried it yet…and yet he can still sing as he should. I’m just putting it out there for you all to explore, b4 you have to wait till they are grad kids:)…good luck all!!</p>