@VoiceTeacher Can you tell us if Chicago Combines is going to happen this year?
Nothing in Chicago, this is an NYC only event for now. However, it is always worth stopping by a school’s room and asking if they are accepting walk-ins.
I tend to agree that it seems unfair to the applicants who went through the regular application process and paid fees etc. that there is an alternative process that can bypass the system
I hesitate to say whether Combines are “fair” or not. It’s an opportunity that is available. If you aren’t able to go to Combines (or any other audition that is similarly structured), then you have to go through the process. If you are able to be in NYC for this one-time event, take advantage of it and know that it isn’t guaranteed. There are several people who stood in line that didn’t make it through.
I’m not sure a sign up genius is the answer, either, though. I agree that there should be some sort of line monitor and a system that allows for those in line to have a fair opportunity versus sending one person for 6 or 7 applicants. The reality is that while the majority of people will act like the good people they are and play by the rules, there will always be someone who is willing to push the envelope for their kid and make it an unfortunate experience. And for what it’s worth, I think people would gladly pay a small fee for this opportunity - especially if the fee allows for it to be a more equitable opportunity.
Has anyone heard from a Combines school after auditioning last Friday-other than Texas State and Shenandoah who contacted at least some people during Unifieds weekend?
I think it is important to remember that everyone has the opportunity to go through the regular process, submit a prescreen and therefore “be seen”. Combines does not deny opportunity to anyone as that is always available through the normal application process. What Combines does is allow people that missed a deadline or just didn’t think about a program or two to have a change to be in front of those schools. While I agree that one adult should not be able to sign up multiple students, the fact is that everyone has a chance to be seen through the regular process.
Combines is really just a bonus opportunity to be seen by these schools.
Off topic: I like the new pic, @voiceteacher
An online sign up tool is a warmer, efficient and less stressful option during a hectic weekend.
Nothing in this process or industry is ever going to be completely “fair”. ?
And nothing’s gonna be warm, efficient or not stressful either LOL. Wait until you try signing up online for equity auditions. It’s like buying concert tickets. Refresh, refresh, refresh . . . submit! And pray.
@Notmath1 My D submitted many prescreens and also did Combines. I thought Combines was a great opportunity to reach potential students that possibly didn’t have the tools, resources or finances as others. It was a free opportunity to get in front of some great schools and later pay an application fee if a particular school was interested. The opportunity was available to yours but there was also the risk of not getting in. I thought it was a great way to reach out to a kid who may have less than others but has a gift and desire to succeed.
I guess a question would be is it ok for a parent to sign up their child (for convenience sake and to ensure the child gets a spot) but it’s not ok to sign up someone else’s child (for convenience sake and to ensure the child gets a spot).
If there was some “rule” set up, then wouldn’t it be that only the actual auditionee would be able to stand in the line and sign up? Where do you draw the line of fairness in signing up?
A reasonable rule might be if someone stayed in line from start to finish they can sign up someone. So if a parent and their child both stood in line the whole time, let them sign two people, but if the parent stood in line the whole time and the child joined at the last minute, they only sign one up.
Of course that might not be particularly enforceable…