<p>BassDad, you had me worried there for a minute! Thanks for the clarification…
I continue to take exception with those who think that conservatories don’t care that much about grades. From my conversations last year with admissions officers at several conservatories, each and every one had the same thing to say, which was: “Yes, we do look at grades. While the audition is very important, grades are a good indicator of how (a student) will handle work at the college level”. Given the high quality of students auditioning at the top schools, I was also told that grades are used to help decide between relatively equal candidates.
During my years teaching college, the differences between A and C students were evident across the board: in approach to classes in general, class participation, writing and assignment completion. So yes, in a performance major, a spectacular audition may compensate for a 2 GPA, I would think that schools would not be so willing to be that lenient when it comes to fields such as Audio Engineering (there are some pretty intense physics and math classes coming into play there) or production. Money is very tight everywhere and although some schools have special funding just for International students, cut backs there will tighten the standards just as it has everywhere else.
sopranomom92’s suggestion of considering a community college is a good one- get the general education requirements out of the way there while still taking lessons on the side. It’s a chance to improve academics as well as study and organizational skills which can really boost his chances to transfer to another school after a year.</p>