Waaay back at Mezzo’s Mom, I don’t think you can make such a generalization about what happens to pre screen auditions. Out of the five places we sent screens out to three of the profs told us, and I have no reason to doubt their honesty, that a TA organizes them and then they sit through ALL of them. The other two used a screening service that makes it very easy to scroll through all the auditions. I’m sure that there were many that were swiped to the left after a couple of minutes, but they did get heard. I’m assuming that at other institutions TAs might be narrowing things down for the teacher- I know from one TA for a VERY famous player that he did exactly that for grad applicants, but what the hell. Can you imagine the number of applicants some branded schools get?
As far as schools realizing that kids can’t afford the cost of good pre screen recordings, I don’t think so. There might be other reasons, like the cost of the prescreen websites for a school getting its budget cut, but worrying about how much it costs the applicant to make one set of recordings that can and will be used for four or five schools ?- I don’t think that enters into it. If you can’t afford the recording you sure as hell aren’t going to be able to afford the school
Seriously, can we just keep this thread as “Music School Visits” now? Things have gotten way off topic. Interesting, yes, but I vote y’all just start a new thread so you can continue your discussion under a more relevant heading. Thanks!
If there’s anything @glassharmonica isn’t, it’s “naïve at best.” She knows this field inside and out and in my experience, her observations are spot on.
For my D, a “good day” and a “bad day” can be very divergent. She’s working on consistency, but the stress of auditions can disturb that.
Thanks, Stradmom! :"> Yes, and it’s very hard to police an internet thread unless you have moderating privileges. But if you want to start a new thread others will follow.
Hi, My friends on the Music Thread! Paying it forward - any VP applicants looking at Oberlin are welcome to PM me.D D graduated there and now doing grad work at University of Maryland Opera Studio and loves her teacher there. I agree that it would make sense to have a Voice specific group although I would miss lots of my “friends” here. And yes Singersmom07, I would love to hear about YAP programs. D is auditioning for Summer Opera jobs now. Has 3 in NYC next week.
Okay, I’ll be the first to revive this thread since it fell asleep since 10-25-2015
Has anyone visited NEC recently? My violinist son and I had visited NEC in 2012 and we were both appalled at its run-down facilities. One classroom even had visible mold growth that I worried about its effect on students’ health. However, shortly after our return from that trip, I read a newspaper article about the plan of renovation project at NEC worth something like $25M (if my memory serves me right). Does anyone know what were done, if any, to its facilities?
My S is finishing up his freshman year at NEC and could not be happier. Sure, there’s a huge crane looming outside his dorm room window as construction of the new building takes up his available light but he seems completely unfazed. He loves his teachers, ensembles, the camaraderie and, most importantly, the philosophy of the place. Practice rooms are fine, and available, according to him. Classes are small and lively. Dorm is run-down but there’s a sort of purposeful vibe to it as students stream across the street to Jordan Hall.
I think though that if your S was also turned off by the NEC “campus” (and I use that term loosely!), that’s important. I loved the shiny new jazz building at Oberlin, and the even newer building at Frost. My S, on the other hand, only cared about the actual program and really gravitated to the conservatory atmosphere at schools like NEC and Eastman.
My son is deciding between Oberlin, NEC and UNT. May I ask, @drummergirl , what instrument your son plays? My son is a jazz drummer and I have been hoping to find someone who could give me insights.
Does anybody here go to (or know somebody who goes to) Vanderbilt Blair, specifically for flute? I really like it but it’s so far from me (Long Island) that I don’t have the money or time to visit before auditions
Drumsmama,
My son is a Jazz Bass player who graduated from NEC and loved it as well. There are so many variables when choosing a conservatory, especially with the three you listed. The variable that stands out the most is the size of the campus and the location. UNT, Oberlin and NEC are all in VERY Different locations. Each location has it’s own benefits and drawbacks. I personally would start there because all three have solid music programs but if your child is not happy or does not feel comfortable in the setting then they may struggle regardless. Boston is a city with winter. Oberlin is a small Ohio town with winter. UNT doesn’t the same winter struggles. These are very different environments. Boston is a train/bus ride from NYC. Oberlin is a bus ride from Cleveland. The other difference between Oberlin, UNT and NEC is how they relate to other students who are not music majors. NEC is a stand-alone conservatory in the heart of Boston where there is a diverse and varied student population. An outgoing student who makes an effort might find themselves meeting other students at other colleges who are studying other things. A student who is pro-active might decide to take classes at Tufts or Northeastern or Harvard or even MIT, but they will have to be PRO-ACTIVE about it. Where at Oberlin the conservatory students live among the liberal arts students and it is much easier to participate in liberal arts activities on campus. I can not speak to UNT, but again now you know what to think about. Good Luck to your student.
