Is S VP material?

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Please bear with me, or ignore this post entirely if you haven’t the patience for long posts or stream-of-consciousness rambling, as I’m pouring out my heart and frustrations here. I stumbled upon this site several months ago and have found it an excellent resource for information for a non-musical parent of a musical child. I guess my question for you all is, should I even bother being here? S is only a freshman in high school—just 14, so I realize how much can change over the next few years, but does he really have the time to wait? He discovered his “passion” for music performance in 6th grade when he performed in his middle school’s spring musical. We live in a very, very small state, where the public education system is not well thought of, so until this year, he’s been in private school his entire educational career. In an effort to curry favor with the musical director in his middle school, over the summer a couple of years ago he attended a local two-week opera workshop where his director was providing audition training. At that workshop he met students who attended the local public magnet school for the arts, and suddenly everything changed. From that moment, he wanted only to go to that school. After several months of begging and pleading, being the insensitive, unsupportive parents we are, we hooked him up with a voice coach (a CCM grad) who teaches a couple of classes at the arts school but is not on the faculty (sort of like an adjunct in a college setting). He gets lessons with her for three months to prepare for his vocal audition for the arts school. Mom buys him several monologue books for him to use to find a monologue for his drama audition (his 2nd choice major), and Mom listens to him recite the monologues and gives “notes.” Surprise! He is one of the roughly 15% of applicants accepted to the school (and in his first choice—vocal music)! Family battle ensues over whether he will actually go (Mom and Dad admittedly never really expected him to be accepted), or go to the private high school he’d been planning to attend for years, which is arguably the best day-school in the state, and which has given him a nice scholarship, based on his high entrance exam scores and middle school grades, to attend. Mom and Dad cave and let him go to the arts school, subject to the condition that he must maintain a 3.00 GPA to stay (should be a piece of cake, but there needs to be some standard). I’d figured we’d stop the private voice lessons once he was accepted to the school, but we never did cancel them, so he just kept going and we kept paying. Voice coach thinks he really has talent (does she really mean this or is she just telling me this so we continue to spend money on lessons?) and could be a VP major in a decent college music program (CCM and MSM being her top picks—note that she has had students in recent years accepted to both schools). S gets to high school, and loves it. He’s in the jazz choir. Voice coach disapproves with concerns about his learning bad habits from the jazz choir’s director, but he insists on staying in it anyway because he loves it (and maybe because they’re going to Disney next week?) He's been ranked #5 in All-State the last two years in his voice-type (remember, really small state). He’s in the “community” children’s (auditioned) choir. He sings in Italian, French, German and sometimes Swahili in the shower. Voice coach is directing a youth production of Mulan. He won’t audition for that, but auditions for and is cast in a small role in the school’s musical. Voice coach says that’s not going to help him any; she suggests a summer program such as Interlochen would be a good idea to get him exposed to talent at the national level. Mom agrees, and finds college confidential while doing research. Mom tells S he could fit the one-week musical theatre workshop at Interlochen into his already heavily scheduled summer, but he needs to put an audition recording together right away.
S shrugs: “We’ll see.”<br>
How about Westminster? That’s close enough to drive to, and also will work with your schedule. “Maybe. Whatever.”<br>
Mom: S do you actually want to be a music major in college?<br>
S: “Oh yes, definitely”<br>
Mom: “Then why are you so uninterested in any of the suggestions I give you to help you get there?”<br>
S: “I just want to be in high school right now Mom.” </p>

<p>S’s first report card in high school is B’s and one C in academic subjects, which by some strange mathematical calculation, works out to a 3.5 GPA because of the weighting of his “honors” classes. Second report card, basically the same. So he’s working “down” to the standard we set for him to allow him to stay in the arts school, and he’s putting little if any effort into actual music preparation (other than what he gets in his school vocal class, in which he gets all A’s), but still he insists he “definitely” wants a career in music. I’ve read many, many posts on this site since discovering it (including that awesome--"So you want to be a music major series"), and what I see is that S has neither the dedication to music to get him to the level necessary for a conservatory-type music program, nor the academic discipline to make it into a decent LAC with a good music program. I feel like I’m being taken for a ride by a kid with no driver’s license. So tell me, all you parents of amazing musicians—did your aspiring opera singers just suddenly wake up as a junior with the drive to do this? Or is S just kidding himself? And am I just wasting my time and money trying to make it possible when I should be sticking his butt back in a school where he’ll be forced to focus on academics because for all the hype, while he's been "emersed in the arts" his grades haven't exactly benefitted? This music thing wasn’t my idea—why am I the one doing all the work?</p>

2

<p>Your son’s a freshman in high school. It’s unreasonable to expect any semblance of maturity. At this point there is no work that needs to be done; let his interest and drive develop naturally. It’s early to attempt to shoehorn your son into a career path.</p>

3

<p>did your aspiring opera singers just suddenly wake up as a junior with the drive to do this?</p>

<p>Kind of, yes. Stepped up her practice A LOT, though she’d been studying piano for years, and classical voice for one year. She applied to and was accepted to Interlochen Academy for voice performance (senior year only). The academic standards there are very high, and they have great financial aid. Interlochen summer program might be a good idea for your son, and then if he shows interest, the boarding school. I honestly wish my D would have had at least one other year there. PM me if you’d like more info. Good luck to you and your son.</p>

4

<p>For my D, summer programs have been instrumental (sorry!) in her decision making about whether or not to pursue music as a career. Plus I’m astonished at how many people she seems to know at auditions because they crossed paths at a summer program or allstate or something. If you can send him to a relatively competitive program for a week or two, it might be just what he needs as a motivator.</p>

<p>Oh, and my S became a human being again in his sophomore year!</p>

5

<p>While ChrisP hits the nail on the head, the self direction, dedication and perseverance I have seen from Muse driven hs freshmen astounds me. </p>

<p>But let him find his own path. There is time, and when he starts to get serious, you’ll know. Vocal development is a slower path than an instrumentalist. Physical maturity issues dictate that. Exposure to a broader base of talent in the form of a summer immersion program drawn from a competitive national base will help both you and he put his talent in perspective. Perhaps now he is basking in being a big fish in the small pond. Exposure to the incredible level of talent out “there” either steels a student to wanting/needing it, or deciding it’s too much of a crapshoot to try.</p>

<p>If he decides to go down this path, use the pros to guide him. Arm yourself with knowledge, and cultivate relationships with instructors, coaches, teachers with the experience and exposure to assess talent and potential of conservatory level admissions.
Those that have the student’s interest at heart are honest and open; beware those there to line their own pockets or build their reputations. Develop a network of like minded parental peers, and share experiences. And kids need to hear some advice from the pros, the teacher/coaches. It might be the same you might advise, but as the 'rent they may not want to hear it from you.</p>

<p>Some past threads, similar questions as to your own offered as food for thought.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/379137-what-age-did-light-come.html?highlight=light[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/379137-what-age-did-light-come.html?highlight=light&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/674345-cello-player-what-do.html?highlight=cello[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/674345-cello-player-what-do.html?highlight=cello&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>Yep, DD woke up as a Junior, mid way through her Junior year, with a change in direction to vocal performance. Picked up the drive necessary to get there. Fortunately for voice students, unlike instrumentalists, a later start is not necessarily a big hindrance. Voices take longer to develop anyhow. For you, add to it that you are dealing with an S. We always had more issues with the drive shown by S’s compared to D.</p>

<p>If you have not had a chance to go through several threads here about figuring out if you can make it in performance. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It’s a hard decision to figure out interest. It changes over time. Friend of DD started college as VP major and dropped out first term because he really did not like to study music, just liked to sing. He changed direction then, too. Kids often change direction many times. It is not mandatory to be in an arts HS to get into a good college program. If the other HS can also give opportunites then private lessons can get him where he needs to be for auditions. You may want to consider that. How rigorous is the arts HS for the other subjects? Scholarships are often awarded also on academic performance. He may not realize that. If he were in a regular HS and pursuing VP, I would not be concerned about a change in direction. But I am not sure about an arts HS with a student that does not show the drive. The reason to be in such an environment is because you have the drive and desire to pursue this profession. If they just want to be in HS, then put them is a HS with a lot of choices.</p>

7

<p>Most kids are so different, it’s hard to say. Mine is very competitive so he always worked hard, football, academics, music it didn’t make any difference, he always wanted to be the best so I never had to encourage practice. I just encouraged as much well roundedness in high school as I could. Lots of kids do music/theater in HS as their “thing” but don’t necessarily go into it in college. I always think it’s good to be involved in something, tends to keep them out of trouble and studying music is always a benefit. I definitely agree that a summer program would be of great help to show him just what the “talent pool” is and just how competitive things are. He may just decide that he really doesn’t want to follow through with it or he may step up his game. He is awfully young to be making a life decision. Some kids know at an early age just what they want to pursue but most don’t. Many of the music kids I have read about on here really kicked it up a notch in the last couple of years of high school so even if he’s not ready to attend a summer program he can always do that next summer. These things always have a way of working out. I found CC during my son’s last year of high school. I had NO IDEA of what was involved in getting into a music program in college. He was SO not prepared, but he got in anyway and is a senior VP major now. If he is happy where he is now and generally doing well maybe you should just let him be for a while, before you bring up the college thing, he just not ready for that to be part of his life yet. I didn’t intend on this being a ramble, sorry!</p>

8

<p>I am not a parent, but let me tell you that my story is quite similar.</p>

<p>I live in a small town and I went to a school that the public was not very fond of academically. I was in the local arts magnet program there. In 6th grade, I too received a lead in what was my first musical. And ever since then, I have run with my passion for music.</p>

<p>Also, I woke up, academically that is. After finding how much I loved music, I began to get straight A’s (before that I was a B Student). Now, a senior in high school, I never looked back and I maintain my 4.0 unweighted, and take college courses. </p>

<p>I don’t understand why my heavy involvement in music managed to raise my grades. Maybe it was some sort of a correlation between the two, or maybe I managed to translate my passion into my other classes.</p>

<p>However, I am very different in a sense that since my freshman year, I wanted to be in college right away. It’s totally necessary to get involved outside your school early, especially if your city is small.</p>

<p>I think what motivated me academically was my mom. She made these years so stressful for me by not letting me relax (EVER), but I am totally thankful that she consistently pushed me to do my best.</p>

<p>Hope that helps from a son’s perspective.</p>

9

<p>Your son has time.</p>

<p>My daughter didn’t even start vocal lessons until the summer before Freshman year. Loved it right away…Did musical theater at school and in the community during the summer(because that was what was offered) Sophmore/Junior year she began outgrowing musically what was offered for her in our area so at that point we started looking for what would be next for her.</p>

<p>Summer of Junior year she attended a summer opera intensive at Walnut Hill School…(2 weeks on campus and then a week in Italy). While in Italy they had the opportunity to watch 2 operas (one had 20,000 people in attendance)…DD came home saying “that’s what I want to do”.</p>

<p>She also ended up attending Walnut Hill School her senior year…it was very hard…but also taught her so many things…Time management (which has served her well this year), level of committment needed… plus all the training and technical stuff. </p>

<p>She is now a Freshman VP major at a Conservatory…and has not changed her mind on what she wants to do.</p>

<p>So you see there is time…I don’t know how intensive the fine arts magnet school is that your son is attending…When my daughter was at the boarding school last year she loved it but it was very intense…she wanted only to come home and take the summer off…is that perhaps what your son is feeling?</p>

<p>Maybe you could take your son to see a performance of one of these summer programs so he can see the level of talent…Sounds like Interlochen would be a long trip for you but from everything I’ve heard it is a magical experience…My daughter auditioned there but it was the middle of the winter at the time (very cold…lots of snow)…still a cool place though…</p>

<p>And then again…VP majors do not have an easy time supporting themselves after spending years/and much money being trained…so if he finds other interest…that can also be a good thing.</p>

10

<p>I can’t speak about the specifics of voice, since my son is an instrumentalist, but from what I have learned from on here and talking to voice parents, it isn’t like a kid has to be serious by the time they are 9 to ‘make it’, whatever that means, a lot of voice students seem to do just fine moving into the ‘serious’ path later on in their teens from my very limited view.</p>

<p>Where I can speak is from a similarly aged son and his path on the violin. Your description of your S is similar to the way he was up until 3 years ago or so, he loved the violin, loved music, but didn’t seem to want to commit to it. We suspect now that it was because he was with teachers who weren’t pushing him to the highest level (and please, don’t think I am saying it is the same with your S, I don’t know anything to be able to make that judgement). Before this time, we actually had a hard time getting him to practice, and even after he switched teachers to a high level, demanding teacher it took him a while to shift the way he was…and the challenge worked, it did. He dedicated himself to the violin at roughly 12, and since then we have not had to do any pushing, it is all coming from within him (other then paying for everything, driving him around, etc), something clicked, at 14 he is in a very high level pre college program and other similar programs, and is practicing 4-6 hours a day on average. We are homeschooling him to allow him to do that, and what is funny is academically he is probably better prepared then if he had stayed in the (very good) private school he had been in. </p>

<p>The point isn’t the age (the violin is a very different world then voice or other instruments, the level of playing and competition is such that the age of ‘getting serious’ has pushed way back, not necessarily a good thing IMO, but that is the way it is), but rather that the passion seems to happen differently for all kids. I have to agree with what others have written, a good summer program might be enough to kickstart your S, or might on the other hand make him realize he loves singing but doesn’t want to pursue it. Sometimes it takes seeing what is out there, the level of top level performers, to help find that passion (and yes, it can be daunting, too, seeing someone who is accomplished and saying 'holy cow, no way I could ever do that). </p>

<p>One thing I would encourage is to try and get him to explore what he can. It can be something as simple as watching opera DVD’s (netflix has a pretty decent selection), or dvd’s of musicals, or opera broadcasts, or maybe one of the opera HD performances they do in theaters (I don’t know where you live, so I can’t tell you if there are any theaters near you that show it, highly recommended, but they also have them on DVD, a library or netflix may have them). Finding what he really wants to do takes a lot of effort I believe, it takes actually going down the path as much as possible and seeing what comes out. some kids move into the big time, and realize it isn’t for them, others push harder and harder. </p>

<p>One suggestion I have is that if your son hasn’t dedicated to ‘serious music yet’, where the hours of practice and such start becoming major in a day, then you should be firm about him keeping his grades up. It is one thing when a kid is spending a lot of time practicing or performing, it can be difficult to keep high grades and do that, but if he isn’t yet in that phase then quite honestly I don’t think there is an excuse. I am sure in his mind he thinks he wants to go to college and major in music/voice, and can rationalize less then stellar grades by saying ‘it won’t matter’, but given the vagaries of music, or that he still hasn’t really committed to it, he shouldn’t be allowed to get away with that. I have seen kids in similar positions, who thought they wanted to go into music, used it as an excuse to lay off the academics, and then found later in their teens they didn’t want to do it…and found themselves kind of screwing themselves up a bit. People assume that my son because he homeschools is basically throwing academics aside, but he also realizes it is important and is working academically in his sophomore year right now, though technically a freshman, and has gotten pretty much all A’s taking relatively difficult coursework. </p>

<p>I wish you luck, and as others have said, encourage him and see what comes out of the process. In the end, he probably always will love to sing, no matter what he ends up doing, and that isn’t a bad thing.</p>

11

<p>One thing to consider is that most colleges use only unweighted gpa for admissions. Maybe knowing that may help motivate him. Also, I know there are music camps aroung that focus on “other” types of music, like rock and jazz. Maybe that would interest him more.
One last thing, it may be helpful to send tapes to a few of the bigger name summer camps just for grins. We did this last year just to see if our D would get accepted, sort of as a gauge of “was she good enough”.</p>

12

<p>Tonedeafmom, You might consider getting a copy of “The Audition” from the Metropolitan Opera. The showed it on PBS a couple of weeks ago and may show it again. It is a wonderful film of a group of aspiring singers that have advanced to the finals in the MONC competition. Your son may enjoy it and he may be inspired.</p>