<p>Opera-mom, your info is exactly what we know. The violin studio of Prof. Smirnoff had to be redistributed because he is going out to CIM to head up the program. I understand the violin studios at CIM are also in a bit of a shuffle.</p>
<p>yes stringkey…I did realize that I had posted information already shared…after it was too late to edit…after working 13 hours at my nursing job…challenging on most days…but today was really one of those days…I’m afraid I missed a few details…makes you think twice before getting sick :} just glad I was still able to focus until the last patient was out the door.</p>
<p>Stringkeymom, what do you know about what is going on at CIM?</p>
<p>Hi BluePearl and Stringkey,</p>
<p>Best wishes to you and both your kids! This is such a stressful time of year!</p>
<p>Thanks, EW’s mom. I know it will all work out in the end. Good luck to your kid as well!</p>
<p>Bluepearl: I PMed you about CIM studios, but I’ll post here also in case people are interested. Three of the top violin faculty are about to retire or will retire in the next year, and Joel Smirnoff is leaving Juilliard and coming in at CIM to take over and reshape the department. DS was at ENCORE School for Strings in summer, 2007, which turns out to have been the last year of ENCORE; he heard a lot about the various studios and the reconfiguring of the CIM violin studios at that time. It should settle down in the coming year.</p>
<p>CIM only took 8-10 freshman violinists last year - perhaps it’s going to be the same scenario this year.</p>
<p>oh, opera-mom, i’m sorry, i didn’t mean to imply at all that you were repeating! i just wanted to confirm that this what we had heard, too.</p>
<p>stringfollies, i think if anything, CIM will be taking even fewer violinists this year. however, isn’t 10 about the usual number accepted for strings at most conservatories? i even hear things like only 2 violinists taken at Rice, only 4 cellists at Eastman, etc.</p>
<p>It depends a lot on the size of the program and their expected yield. At someplace like Curtis or Colburn, with one orchestra and a very high yield number, they are not going to hand out many acceptances. Still, on average, they are going to have to replace about a quarter of their first and second violin sections in any given year, so would I think a total of ten acceptances would be a really bad year at most conservatories. At very large conservatories like Eastman and large University programs like Indiana, if they only accepted 10 undergrads on violin per year, they would not have enough to cover their ensembles in short order. Unusual things do happen, such as a teacher leaving or having a much higher yield than expected on one particular instrument the previous year, but as far as long term averages go, most conservatories and larger music departments need more than 10 (times their yield) replacements per year.</p>
<p>I think I remember hearing that CIM usually takes 20-25, but that’s just a rumor.</p>
<p>Please, do be careful about GOSSIP!</p>
<p>Joel Smirnoff became president of CIM this past fall 2008. He is there now as President! He is not “coming in at CIM to take over and reshape the department.” He has auditioned some violin students for next year - as David Cerone during his 23 year tenure as CIM president also taught some students. </p>
<p>Smirnoff’s wife, Joan Kwuon, was added to CIM faculty lists Fall 2008. </p>
<p>The retirement of David and Linda Cerone was announced fall of 2008. Effective Fall 2009. They have been teaching this current year 2008- 2009.</p>
<p>CIM is known for their collaborative violin studios. Many students study with two teachers during their tenure there. This happens when teachers “share” students - students have lessons on alternate weeks with two different teachers and attend two studio classes per week and also, it isn’t uncommon for students to spend two years with one teacher and switch teachers for the final two years. I’ve always been impressed low impact of CIM’s violin faculty “personal egos” getting in the way of professionalism and the best interest of the students.</p>
<p>There are definitely multiple wonderful violin studios and violin instructors for anyone interested in CIM.</p>
<p>For those not admitted to Juilliard - I understand the disappointment and would even feel some anger if it was my kid! I just wanted to share several expereinces - even Juilliard makes admissions mistakes!</p>
<p>Several years back, I knew 2 Juilliard candidates playing quite well. Violinist 1 (V1) had won or been in the finals of several major national competitions and played with several regional orchestras after winning their concerto competitions. Violinist 2 (V2) had won several important local competitions - nothing out of area. Both had gorgeous sounds and impressive “presence”, but V1 was far more advanced literature and technique-wise. V1 had played for a Juilliard teacher who had indicated great interest. Auditions came and went - V2 accepted, not V1. Juilliard teacher had not been at live auditions, but offered to “go to bat” for V1. V1 so angry didn’t follow through (other great options!). In any case, V2 has now graduated, is at a lesser conservatory doing MM and is not an outstanding player for age and background. V1 is going great guns!</p>
<p>I don’t know what the Juilliard auditioners heard at that live audition of V1 and V2. V1 feels the audition was fine - never did understand the rejection. V2 undoubtedly came off as a better player than a more in depth look warranted - an impressive sound, intonation and confidence can go far in a short audition. </p>
<p>Another MM candidate I knew well had a similar experience. Several lessons with a Juilliard teacher who had wanted to take on the student. Teacher not at live auditions - violinist rejected. Teacher offered to follow up for student, but student chose to move on. This MM candidate is now playing in a professional quartet - and making a living!</p>
<p>My best wishes to your kids! They’ve done great things already and will continue to do so!</p>
<p>Fiddlestix, thank you for clarifying my earlier post. I have to ask the indulgence of those on this thread as I don’t seem to be saying things well. My stepfather passed away last week and that in combination with the stress of waiting to hear about auditions has made it hard for me to communicate clearly. </p>
<p>I certainly did not mean to imply anything negative about Cleveland Institute of Music which is as we all know one of the best in the world and noted for its excellent violin faculty. I do know that Smirnoff is coming in as President, but also into the violin department and will have a studio there. It’s my understanding that as President and violin professor, Smirnoff will be ushering in a new era at the conservatory. I know nothing about how many violinists they took this year. (I do know they couldn’t take as many as usual at Juilliard)</p>
<p>I appreciate what you wrote about the Juilliard rejection and your experience with two violinists. One of my son’s earlier teachers playing in the Philadelphia orchestra told him that in her high school, she was considered the no. 2 violinist, and no. 1 went on to Juilliard whereas she did not get in, but in the long term, despite her no. 2 status, she had the bigger career. </p>
<p>In my opinion, I subscribe to the view generally discussed here–it’s the teacher that matters!</p>
<p>my 2 friends and i got into juilliard bachelors violin, so i guess that makes 7?</p>
<p>Boy our CC’ers are really cleaning up this year! Congratulations to all!!!</p>