@BassTheatreMom, I hope you do All The Ugly Crying at that performance!!! (I don’t even know your kiddos, and I’m getting teary thinking about it.) I like talking about moving forward; thanks for the prompt!
My D is convalescing after having her wisdom teeth removed (tricky timing, since she is a singer, and also, perhaps more dramatic, since she is a singer, lol). Also, school…I mean, we’re trying to keep that forward motion alive! She is mid way through the process of two competitions, waiting to sing in the next rounds, so having to keep up some old repertoire (not super fun). And she is preparing heavily for her full Senior Recital in early June.
I wish she had some more fun, ensemble things going on, but those audition trips took a serious bite out of her ability to audition or commit to shows or roles, and her big 'ol voice hasn’t been super fun to deal with in high school level choirs. She could use some fun, but I keep telling her that next year, wherever she ends up, she will be with “her people” and everything will be better!
Also, we didn’t have the time or energy, and didn’t want to direct any money towards summer programs this year, but after her Oberlin audition she was invited to participate in the Oberlin in Italy program in Tuscany this summer. Sooo…that’s not going to be a bad way to spend the summer! We ordered her passport yesterday!
@dramasoprano I squealed a little inside about the Italy invite. How wonderful!
Both mine need wisdom teeth out. D is working on Drowsy Chaperone, so not yet for her, S’s soccer team is in the play offs. We have to figure it out, I just don’t know when.
I hear you on the singer thing - so funny!
Yikes, @beaglemom! I wish I could say I was surprised to hear that, but I’m not. There are certain corners of CC that are more supportive than others - I’m glad this is one of them!
@musicprnt that sounds sooo frustrating, especially with the 4/15 deadline!
@BassTheatreMom good question!
My S is preparing for solo and ensemble festival - he picked a soprano sax piece this time to give himself more time and experience with his soprano. His teacher also has him working on a modern piece with a wide variety of extended saxophone techniques which, hmm…well, let’s just say the piece is less traditionally melodious to the Western ear than the concerto he prepared for auditions and leave it at that LOL. I will say I have heard a prominent saxophonist play the same piece in concert and I didn’t find it any more pleasing when played perfectly. My musical tastes need to expand, I guess. S is improving rapidly with those new skills and having great fun with it, though, which is all that matters.
Most of his concert/performance commitments in the next month are jazz-related, which is a nice change of pace. He also is putting in a bit more time on the piano - he only started lessons about a year ago and wants a firmer foundation before college.
As far as summer, S’s teacher recommends earning some money and practicing whatever the new prof suggests and relaxing with friends so that’s the plan. S wants to see if he can work at one of the local music camps he attended as a younger musician - good Music Ed major training.
@dramasopranomom Sounds much like our life post auditions last year, including the wisdom teeth and the Oberlin in Italy offer. My daughter enjoyed that program quite a bit. (PM me if you have any questions on that.) Enjoy all the fun ahead!
@buoyant I have SO MANY questions! Lol! I’ll pm you.
@BassTheatreMom hahahahahaaaa! The DrowsyChaperone comment! Can’t stop laughing! I CAN’T WAIT to see where that girl ends up! I mean… (shaking my head)
I love that we are all going through such a similar process. Wisdom teeth. Sigh.
I an thrilled to have been part of this very supportive forum and thank you all for the advice, info and support provided especially during this stressful audition and awaiting period. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and opinions. We are so lucky to have these gifted children. Just making it to this point tells a lot of the incredible and talented children we all have. We are truly blessed and wish your kids all the best.
As we get ready for this final stretch where usually, the most competitive schools will provide decisions, it is inevitable that some of our kids will receive rejections and deferrals. It is only natural. If your child is unfortunate to receive bad news, I would like to quote the terrific soprano Ana Maria Martinez in her interview LIVING SMART w/ Patricia Gras, She talks about how she deals with rejections during the audition process: “Think yourself as a color: you are green, a very good green, but they wanted blue.” It is an old interview (7 years old), but a terrific one, especially when she talks on how to deal with rejections. I know that CC doesn’t like links in posts, but if you are interested in hearing the interview, you can find it in youtube (search Ana Maria Martinez and the value of music on Living Smart). The interview is long (26+ minutes), but go to the minute 4:58 to hear her talk on dealing with rejections. Good luck to all!
This is incredible @dramasopranomom and @buoyant . My D also got her wisdom teeth removed but it was in August. She did get invited for Oberlin at Italy but unfortunately she passed on the invitation. D has been out to summer programs for the past 3 years and decided for her to stay home this summer before going to college. Buyant, did your D ended up in Oberlin? If so, do you mind if I PM you?
Historically, Oberlin teachers invite all the VP applicants who audition In person and they are considering for their studios. Its a lovely gesture. Everyone I’ve talked to who’s taken part has given stellar reviews.
Oberlin Portals updated!! Decisions are in 
Good luck to all.
Congratulations, fellow Obies! D is very excited!
Well, it’s been a rough night here folks. S’s soccer team was ranked #2 in Texas 6A men’s soccer. Tonight was the first playoff game. About five minutes into the second half, S was injured - a knee to the upper thigh - it’s just a big ol’ hematoma, but he can’t put his weight on it yet. He sat out the rest of the game. They ended regulation time in a tie, then went into two ten minute over time periods with no further scoring. Our boys lost in penalty kicks.
They are devastated. Fourteen years of soccer - over. Another last. I much prefer firsts.
But things just got better. Northwestern’s aid package just showed up on their portal. Very, very nice!
@coloraturadad - My daughter didn’t end up going to Oberlin, but I would have been delighted with that choice. It’s a fine program. You should be able to track down some other families that have students there for more information. Congratulations and good luck!
@coloraturakid is correct about the Oberlin in Italy invite. Although it hadn’t been In our plans, it gave my daughter some experiences that she hadn’t had before (having a small role in a fully-staged opera and the various kinds of rehearsals and preparations for that) and provided additional confidence going into her freshman year of college.
My D didn’t choose Oberlin in the end either. It was a super drought hard decision for her at the time. She waited until April 30th @-) last year. She went back to her top two choices and took additional lessons. I wish everyone an easy decision making period but I know that is rare.
Coming into the home stretch everyone. Good luck this week!
Thanks @BassTheatreMom! Same to you and your S!
Yep, my son is only waiting on one decision, and it is a serious option so he really can’t easily move forward until he knows that one. Two merit packages still unknown but they are from the two in state public schools which are not likely to offer much but are affordable regardless. I can tell S wants to get this decision done, and he’d clearly rather spend spring break relaxing than re-visiting schools and having the weight of the decision still looming over him. We have a front runner among the current acceptances, so although I want him to get into this last program, it will make the decision harder because it shares many of the same characteristics with the front-runner. Fortunately we probably would not need to revisit the front runner - he has had multiple visits already and knows more about that program and prof than any of the others.
Good luck to all!
@classicalsaxmom It sounds like your son is in an enviable position. Big congratulations to him on such a successful audition process!
We are waiting on one major contender ourselves. We also need merit from one. We will have to make a visit to Miami where he sent in a recorded audition. We might have to revisit one of the others that was an in and out audition.
I’m not sure how he will make a decision at this point.
Great weekend also on our end. D accepted at Oberlin and Mannes! Congratulations to @classicalsaxmom and @BassTheatreMom sons for having such wonderful choices. @dramasopranomom , congratulations to your D’s acceptance to Oberlin and I sure will let you know on my D’s decision, but I foresee it will take more time. She is still awaiting for a serious option based on the proximity of where my sister and my oldest D live and three financial packages.
Dramasopranomom, feel free to PM me if you want to share and compare notes of Oberlin. My D attended their Vocal Academy last summer and had a wonderful experience making the school a strong contender.
Well. This will all be done in a month - it has to be…we are done waiting on hearing from schools and now have to make a decision. Down to three great choices…this is not easy, but we all take solace in knowing that whatever school S chooses, he wins. Thanks to everyone for their advice over the last few months.
HI, new to this conversation. Daughter is Mezzo, VP major. Accepted at Mannes, UNCSA & Hartt. Waiting to hear from CIM, Peabody, MSM & Curtis. I swear I’m checking her email every 5 minutes. Look forward to seeing where everyone winds up.