<p>Our son indicated his voice teacher at BoCo is teaching him in very different techniques than his prior voice teacher at home; he’s learning all knew breathing technique. He’s learning there is no such thing as “one way” to do something, which is a good lesson to learn early. He told us “I guess I have a lot to learn over these next 4 years.”</p>
<p>Family and Friends Weekend at BoCo is coming up in 2 weeks. Highlights include (1) certain classes open for observation / attendance, (2) an alumni panel on" I got an arts degree…now what?", (3) a special performance of the fall musical “Oklahoma” for parents, and (4) special dinners and brunches with student performances. My wife and I are looking forward to attending.</p>
<p>My S has been at school now for nearly 6 weeks, and fortunately we get many phone calls, most of which aren’t for a money transfer. He is loving San Francisco and school isn’t too bad either. He has learned how to get his dress shirts thrown in with girls doing delicate laundry, and how to barrow space in several dorm fridges. I am so proud.</p>
<p>He also has done 3 outreaches with the Sisters at the University, lending his voice in service to a higher calling. He has made 2 trips to the Tenderloin district in downtown San Francisco to help the less fortunate, and will be heading back there on Holloween to sing and distribute candy to kids. I am proud.</p>
<p>He is taking 16 unit hours, tested out of Musical Theory,(His high school teacher is proud) has a vocal coach, and a vocal teacher. He has dance 3 times a week, English, MT diction, and something else. He wants to be an RA next year, I think it’s for the private room. I am so scared.</p>
<p>He has auditioned for the fall and winter shows and got cast in multiple roles in both. They are cabaret/review shows, but he got in as a freshman, so I’m happy. He get’s to sing and tap the “Singing in the Rain” number Gene Kelly did, and do a few other numbers including some Groucho Marx MC work. He will be in “Little Women” in February and an opera in March or April.We are heading up from Los Angeles in 3 days to see him perform. We can hardly wait.</p>
<p>As a dad, I mostly get to listen to the conversations he has with mom. Every now and then though, he calls me for some coaching up on a song or an audition and it turns in to him asking something more personal. I live for those moments now, I am those moments now. I couldn’t be more proud that he is finding his way at school and in life. He is fast becoming the man I knew he would. WAY TOO FAST!!!</p>
<p>BigShoes, where is your son attending? It sounds as if they are doing a ton of productions! A musical in Feb. and an opera in March or April?</p>
<p>He is at Notre Dame De Namur. I wish they where doing more productions, but there are other chances to perform as well. They have a choir for mass, the nuns put them out in the field, and San Francisco has 79 theatre companies that do large auditions in January. He also plays piano, guitar, ukulele, flute, and whatever else he can get his hands on, so people tend to grab him for projects.</p>
<p>It’s a really small school, nobody goes there, really bad work, ugly part of the world, stay away, gators in the water. :)</p>
<p>BigShoes, it sounds great (except for those pesky gators)! Congrats to your son for finding a place where he could thrive and for having the intelligence and insight to stray from the beaten path! :)</p>
<p>Having been to New York, Chicago, Philly, Washington DC, Miami, Minneapolis, Oklahoma, Santa Fe, Boston, and even Vermillion South Dakota, he chose San Francisco. At least I can drive there, maybe even come home with some new alligator boots.</p>
<p>I live in Fullerton, he could have gone to Cal State Fullerton, what was he thinking? :0</p>
<p>Last week my D’s class had a session with Kathleen Turner and tomorrow she sings for Sutton Foster. Seems pretty surreal.</p>
<p>jeffandann - how did she like Sutton Foster?</p>
<p>To quote the text I got from my D after her singing for Sutton Foster: So good. It went so well. I’m hoping to talk to her soon about it, but I think all us college parents know ow often our kids actually call so I’m not holding my breath!</p>
<p>Sutton Foster is really good about making the “college rounds.” My daughter adores her and thinks she is one of the hardest working actors around today. She’s “worked” with her twice and has found it inspirational.</p>
<p>Amtc, is your daughter still in school or is she “out in the world” now? I’ve been thinking that it would be interesting to hear some experiences of the recent graduates as well as the freshmen. A lot of the value of this forum is helping us all know what to expect, in all its variety.</p>
<p>momarmarino,
My D is applying to Ithaca as an Acting BFA. Any suggestions on the pre-audition video that’s required? Also, how much emphasis did they place on her academics vs. her artistic talent? Thanks so much. Sorry I couldn’t send a PM, I’m still new and trying to get to my PM privileges!</p>
<p>mimigrace: Good luck to you and your D as you go through this crazy process! I’m not exactly sure how much emphasis Ithaca placed on academics vs. artistic ability but I think anything your D can do to keep her grades up is definitely going to help her get more money at any school. I know that the President’s Scholar award at Ithaca is a merit-based award for record of achievements, talent, and artistic promise. It is a very generous scholarship but I’m not sure how much grades actually played in earning that award. My D is strong academically though and like I said: good grades can’t hurt in this crazy process!! My D absolutely loves Ithaca and is so excited to go to NYC next weekend with a bunch of the MT/Acting kids on their fall break! We have never been to NYC so she is beyond excited!!! I can’t believe that it was just a year ago that we were going through this whole process—we loved Unifieds in Chicago and I am going to miss going this year 
Best of luck to you and enjoy every step of the way!!! :)</p>