Michigan bound tomorrow...snow question?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>Seems like we have been talking about the UMich audition for years now, so it’s a bit surreal that it is finally here. We head to AA in the am…the weather looks fine for our flight arrival and subsequent drive into Ann Arbor, but looks iffy for the rest of the time. We are west-coasters with not much snow-driving experience…wondering how quickly they clean up the streets in Ann Arbor? It’s supposed to snow on Thursday night (1-3 inches)…D’s audition begins on North at 9am the next day…we are staying right off State St. practically on Central campus…just imagining myself slip-sliding UP the hill to North! </p>

<p>Besides the snow, D is very excited, which is terrific…now if only Mom can cover up her terror of snow driving we should be in for a good week end!</p>

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<p>Places who get a lot of snow are better prepared to deal with it. I lived in Michigan for 4 years, and there was only 1 day in that time when school was canceled - and that was a major ice storm. There may be huge mounds where the snow has been plowed, but roads should be in good shape.</p>

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<p>Michigan towns are no strangers to snow! So they should clear the streets well. 1 to 3 inches for AA would just be business as normal. For you though… it’s important to adjust your driving style. SLOW down! Make sure you’re looking ahead for patches of ice or snow covered road and make sure you leave enough space cushion between you and the person ahead of you. Don’t inadvertently shrink other’s space cushions! Don’t do any jack rabbit starts and don’t try to rush in front of people when you’re turning into the traffic flow from side roads or driveways. Most accidents occur because people just drive too fast for the conditions or they do something that makes other people need to stop fast… which is difficult to do on snow and ice without going into a slide. So, that said… leave youself plenty of time to move between hotel and campuses so you don’t HAVE to drive fast!</p>

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<p>P.S. I grew up in Buffalo and lived in MI. (So lots of practice driving in the snow!)</p>

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<p>I wonder if you could get a taxi or shuttle while you are in town for the drive to the actual audition so neither mom nor daughter is nervous? My understanding is that these northern cities on the Lakes do an amazing job of keeping up the roads. 1-3 inches is nothing in Michigan! Now if you were coming to the south where I am that amount would just stop the world. Thankfully I learned to drive in Dayton, OH.</p>

<p>Be sure to tell us all about your school visit! My D will audition in Chicago (just got the invitation today! Yay!) so I want to hear all about the campus details we will miss.
Safe trip!</p>

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<p>I’m 20 minutes from there right now (my son attends). Your weather for flying in looks fine, as you said. Thurs night and Fri AM is calling for chance of showers - which means you may get nothing, or you may get an inch. You’ll be fine. The drive to North Campus is only a couple of miles, and will be no problem. The cars will flatten any snow that falls and it might just be a little slushy. Enjoy the campus! Plus - be sure to drop your daughter at the door - you don’t want her walking through a slushy parking lot (that’s your job). Break a leg.</p>

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<p>For a real-time look at campus - google “Ann Arbor webcam”. There are a couple of them on campus and you can see what it looks like right this second. Hopefully you’re staying the weekend because we’re supposed to get a nice snow - upper 20’s, nice big flakes - should be beautiful for walking around campus.</p>

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<p>I can relate to your nervousness. We moved from a beachy climate to a mountainous one . . . two things that might make you feel better: 1)your rental car will have snow tires, 2) you can drive slowly </p>

<p>I think if you just give yourself lots of time so you can drive slowly to get to your destination you’ll be fine. And, like I tell my kiddo, “Don’t feel pressured by other drivers. They’d rather that you be comfortable than fast.” </p>

<p>Break a leg to your kiddo in regards to auditions.</p>

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<p>My son is an MT BFA Sophomore and I am fairly sure that you can use the busses from Central to North Campus. It can be a bit of a challenge for parking so sometimes using the local transportation works best. Take clothes to layer and dont be afraid to bundle up and then change into audition clothes when you get to North Campus. You will see loads of coats, hats, scarves, etc. piled up on the chairs in the hallways. Tis the season.</p>

<p>Anyway, we are from SoCal as well and son has found it quite easy to navigate with or without a car. The highways will be fine but do be careful of the bridges and overpasses as they may freeze and have some slippery spots.</p>

<p>Best of luck with the auditions and the process :)</p>

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<p>Thank you all so much for the tips and advice!</p>

<p>I will give you all an update when we get back!</p>

<p>thanks again!</p>

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<p>Update on D’s University of Michigan week-end:</p>

<p>Thanks again for all of your advice on snow driving…it did snow every day we were there, except the day we left. But i was utterly amazed at how quickly the snow plows were out! We were staying at the Bell Tower Hotel, and the only street that was unplowed after about 2 inches of snow fall, was the one right in front of the hotel. Driving to North Campus was really no problem at all, it was really well-traveled and clear by 8am on audition day. I was also amazed at the mini-plows that cleared the side walks too!</p>

<p>On another note it was FRIGID there! It is currently 50 degrees warmer at home today than it was when we left Ann Arbor yesterday…so do bring warm clothes. We were glad to have hats and gloves and scarves and extra layers under our West Coast Coats! Boots were great to have too. </p>

<p>The Audition:</p>

<p>What a well-organized day! We left the hotel at 8:15 and headed to North Campus. I dropped daughter off at The Walgreen and then headed over to the School of Music to park, as was requested in the confirmation info. There were people parking at the Walgreen as well, but it’s smarter to park at the School of Music, because you end there. There was a $5 charge for the day. Once i parked i walked back to the Walgreen and met D for the opening talk, which was led by 3 students, one of which we already knew. They were all very eloquent and informative and were great at putting the kids at ease. Professor Wagner came in later and talked about the program, the process and took questions. He was very engaging and interesting to listen to. Kids were given folders with lots of info as well as their own schedule for the day. There were about 70 kids there, with as many, if not more parents. it was a full house! </p>

<p>D started with the dance call (there were 2 times scheduled), which was immediately after the talk. That lasted about an hour + during which i had coffee with several other waiting Moms, across the way at Pierpont Commons. Singing, monologue and piano auditions were all scheduled throughout the day at the School of Music, which we walked to…D had singing first, then piano and monologues last. She was there until after 4pm. She knew several kids who were auditioning and they had every possible combo of the above 3!</p>

<p>Those running the auditions, which included administrative folks from the school and current students could not have been any more gracious or welcoming. They really made everyone feel very comfortable. All of the faculty were easy-going and warm. D said the accompanist was the finest she had ever sung with.</p>

<p>D felt it was a wonderful experience and hopes for a good result in the coming weeks, but is well aware that there will likely be 400+(our guess, no one said that) or more females competing for the 10 spots available. The admissions talk later in the afternoon was informative and helpful. There was conversation about both the notification process and financial aid. The woman who spoke (Emily?) said that they should all hear something by the end of 4 weeks (Professor Wagner had said 4-6 weeks in his talk). She also said that anyone “deferred” would likely not hear until late March to April. I asked if anyone had been accepted from the November auditions and she replied that there had already been acceptances, though she said she didn’t know how many. </p>

<p>All in all, it was a great week end…and wonderful experience for my girl. I can only hope that the remaining auditions are as fun!</p>

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<p>Thank you for the information. What was your estimate of the boy/girl ratio?</p>

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<p>I don’t know for sure…but my guess is maybe 20-ish boys and 50-ish girls…whatever it was there were MANY MANY more girls than boys…but that was expected. Lots of very nice families there…</p>

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<p>She had to play the piano?</p>

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<p>Hi Theatremomma:</p>

<p>There is a piano audition that apparently is only used for placement…but my D found it pretty nerve-wracking, nonetheless! It might have been the piece that caused her the most stress!</p>

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<p>From the University of Michigan MT audition site: Piano: The piano audition consists of sight-reading and an interview. The faculty will evaluate your music reading skills and your understanding of rhythmic notation. The ability to read music is an important factor in the evaluation of your application. It isn’t necessary to prepare a piece. </p>

<p>Preparation Suggestions: Playing another instrument can be extremely valuable for your overall understanding of music. However, it’s still important to begin studying piano before and/or during high school. Leaning to play the piano immediately before this audition is fine, but generally of limited value. It’s best to begin a steady, organized process of piano study long before your senior year. While playing by ear is of value, it’s not a substitute for music reading skills.</p>

<p>Kiddo attended a college fair in her sophomore year, and spoke to the rep from UMich. The big suggestions – keep your academics strong and study piano! Kiddo said the piano audition was friendly, but they definitely were probing for what you knew. Meanwhile…she waits…deferred from the November audition…it’s gonna be a long winter…</p>

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<p>mybroadwaybaby I am so happy that your daughter’s audition went well! Your post is so helpful to those yet to audition. I posted in another location that Professor Wagner informed the current MT’s that they have the largest number of students auditioning this year than they have ever had.</p>

<p>Regarding the piano placement…it is just that, not part of the audition process. Accepted students are required to take two semesters of piano, and will take another placement test during the summer orientation. Some students do test out of one or both semesters, but most take both. My daughter had taken piano in elementary school, but was not a proficient pianist. She started her freshman year in Piano 110 and tested out mid semester. She elected to continue the class so that she would be more ready for Piano 111. She now has a piano in her apartment, which helps greatly with preparing for auditions, etc.</p>

<p>Good luck to everyone, wishing you all the best!</p>

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<p>@mybroadwaybaby – SOOOO glad to hear your D’s audition was fun and went well! Best of luck on any other upcoming auditions, and we will be keeping our fingers crossed for her over these coming weeks!!</p>