<p>After focusing primarily on academics in the first three years of high school, my daughter has decided she'd like to audition for music schools and possibly pursue a music major.
She has taken viola for 8 years, 4 with private lessons. In multiple orchestras, including a chamber group and regional youth philharmonic orchestra.
Now for the negatives: we never really considered this as a college/career option, so we have no idea how to proceed. We've obviously missed any opportunity for summer programs, as she is entering her senior year and auditions are in 6 months.<br>
I've read all the threads, including many helpful links from ViolaDad (thanks!), but still have a question:
I've seen suggestions about getting an additional tutor from a local college/conservatory. What purpose does this serve? Is this in addition to her usual teacher, who is the principal for the area philharmonic? Would you suggest doing this now, or closer to audition? Maybe these suggestions are talking about a tutoring session from the specific schools where she's planning on auditioning? any info about this would be appreciated.
And, obviously, any other tips to help would be greatly appreciated.<br>
Thanks!</p>
<p>onecent, the common wisdom is to engage the best teacher you can afford (and your student can work with). You may have that now. Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Does the current teacher have a history of sending talented kids to competitive programs. Is your student eager to go to lessons, chomping at the bit? Is she constantly improving, being stretched, and wants more? These are just some of the things that to me indicate she’s studying with the right one.</p>
<p>It is rare that a student will work with 2 teachers simultaneously, and usually this is at the suggestion of the primary teacher. I would never suggest a clandestine approach, using two simultaneously, each without knowledge of the other. Can of worms, and it’s usually to the detriment of the student. </p>
<p>Changing teachers can be a bit tricky, especially if there has been a long standing relationship. </p>
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<p>Don’t confuse trial lessons (in researching instructors for undergrad programs), or instruction at a camp/immersion program, which are different. Right now, you’re basically asking “should I consider switching teachers now to better position d for auditions?”.</p>
<p>There’s a lot of info and insight in these, and it’s addressed within BassDads tome here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html</a> as well</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/391801-importance-master-teacher.html?highlight=teacher[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/391801-importance-master-teacher.html?highlight=teacher</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/507857-trying-find-new-teacher.html?highlight=teacher[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/507857-trying-find-new-teacher.html?highlight=teacher</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/403272-what-if-your-childs-hs-music-teacher-stinks.html?highlight=teacher[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/403272-what-if-your-childs-hs-music-teacher-stinks.html?highlight=teacher</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/314448-changing-voice-teacher.html?highlight=teacher[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/314448-changing-voice-teacher.html?highlight=teacher</a></p>
<p>Some more general how do I start threads (Edit: open the links within the threads below, as there are more teacher type discussions in a few of those)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/674345-cello-player-what-do.html?highlight=cello[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/674345-cello-player-what-do.html?highlight=cello</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/531161-do-you-have-map.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/531161-do-you-have-map.html</a></p>
<p>You’ll have to sift through this one, and the link within (“the Hindsight thread”) for a couple of posts on switching teachers earlier.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/897086-things-we-learned-music-application-process.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/897086-things-we-learned-music-application-process.html</a></p>
<p>Take a read through, I think these will help clarify things.</p>
<p>onecent, welcome to this crazy world (which definitely needs more violists)! Is your D’s plan to major in performance, music education, a combination of both, or music plus academics? Just something to keep in mind…music deadlines tend to be December 1, rather than the January 1 for most academic programs.</p>
<p>My one tip for you: if she needs to do a prescreen recording, schedule it well in advance of the due date. There will be technical difficulties, and our local music teacher/recording expert found that his schedule became very, very full as the deadline approached.</p>