<p>Thanks everyone! Our family income is just above the limits for waivers, but I will keep my eyes open for programs with summer scholarships.</p>
<p>sjgdf, I “get” the financial struggle and the challenge. And not everyone is successful with “asking” or is even in a situation where it is appropriate or feels right. </p>
<p>What I wanted to add is this phrase my mother says, “Which is cream rises to the top.” Yes it helps to go to the best program. It certainly gives somebody a leg up to go to camps, have lessons and travel to meet professors. But there is also no substitute for motivation and a desire to grow and progress and learn.</p>
<p>Thanks StacJip. Just so worried-I really like your mother’s phrase. It gives me hope.</p>
<p>Sjgjdf, if your son can get into Umich, I just want to remind you that as an in-stater, the school will meet full need…so if you EFC on fafsa qualifies you for the pell grant, you truly will find a package there unlike most others. You ay wish to run the sample fafsa calculators now to get an idea where you sit.</p>
<p>Just fyi, Michigan State used to also have a program with added loan forgiveness for folks at pell-grant eligible levels.</p>
<p>With respect to the cost of school visits and summer programs close to your home, there are truly cost efficient ways to get around. It’s not a bad idea to clue your son into these costs now and have him work and save this year to be able to make these visits. (Amtrak, greyhound, and Michigan Flyer will get him to any of the in-state colleges he wishes to visit.)</p>
<p>The Umich percussion clinic in summer is not cheap (about 1800 for 2 weeks) but with possible scholarship, community grants, or your son’s own savings, might be a worthwhile endeavor. Here’s a link for audition requirements [UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance - Youth Programs - MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institutes - Percussion](<a href=“http://www.music.umich.edu/special_programs/youth/mpulse/percussion.htm]UM”>http://www.music.umich.edu/special_programs/youth/mpulse/percussion.htm)</p>
<p>Another experience that can be more a economical and a way to get to know percussion profs that is again more geographic is Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, which offers scholarships. One of my own son’s “best” references for the performing arts application came from a prof he met there when he was selected for the international summer European tour. The latter is a bit expensive but the kids are able to fundraise in their communities the year prior.</p>
<p>I know at least at Umich, and I suspect at most other schools, the selection committees consider what a kid has done with what’s available to them, and in light of socioeconomic restraints. So if the talent is there, I do not feel you need to worry a lot that his musical pedigree may not be quite as enhanced as others ;)</p>
<p>However, the costs of visits and a few clinics and camps are not just to impress the admission committees – THESE experiences are an important investment to determine that the study of music is in fact what your son wants to do for sure…because when it comes to the expense of an undergrad degree (whether paid by scholarship and grants or out of one’s own pocket) is a huge investment and something that in most cases can only be done well ONCE :)</p>
<p>So encourage your son to find ways now to save a few thousand this year to really dig in and experience what lies ahead in terms of the pursuit of a music degree. I would expect that percussion clinic to be very informative to him, for example.</p>
<p>Best wishes and please don’t worry.</p>
<p>PS for Blue Lake, the 2 week sessions run about $1200 but their scholarship program can cover more than half of that. Visit [Home</a> | Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp](<a href=“http://www.bluelake.org%5DHome”>http://www.bluelake.org) for info.</p>
<p>I think the main priority right now is to get a teacher at a university, or in the Detroit orchestra.</p>
<p>And summer programs. (Look into scholarships.)</p>
<p>For the last two years of high school, spending the money and doing the driving can be worth it, because the net result is sometimes scholarships that more than earn the money back. And even if the scholarships don’t pan out, it is worth it in terms of development.</p>
<p>Here is the advice that I can give to you. My son is a freshman percussion major at Eastman. First and foremost! Get your son to the best teacher you can. You need him to get evaluated to see where he can apply realistically. This is crucial because you can actually target the skills/styles your son will need when auditioning for that particular program. I’d definitely go with a professional orchestral player/university professor if possible. Second, get your son in a youth orchestra if possible. The musical experience will help greatly. My son did 4 years in our local youth orchestra an hour travel time for us every Sunday. Third get your son to summer camp if possible at least to the program he is the most interested in. This is also a critical step in finding the program that best fits. </p>
<p>good luck</p>