<p>I am new to this forum and am interested in any information about the OCU summer musical theater program. My daughter was just accepted for the second session. I would particularly love to hear from others going that session or from students who have attended the program in prior years. How are the dance classes conducted? Voice and acting classes? Describe the geographical diversity of the students, gender composition (more girls than boys or half and half?), etc. Thank you!</p>
<p>There has been much discussion about this in the past. I know there was discussion during summer 2005 when my son attended the camp. Hopefully you can search the general threads or maybe a thread about summer programs. This was before the threads were broken out by school.</p>
<p>Thank you. I'll try searching again.</p>
<p>Still haven't had much luck researching the general threads and would love to hear from any others attending this coming summer.</p>
<p>I just bumped up a summer program discussion forum for you. Go back to July and early August 2005 for a discussion of that summer's OCU camp.</p>
<p>So who's going this summer?</p>
<p>Are you going? Looks like lots of folks are looking at this thread but not replying. As I said, my daughter, a freshman, will be attending the second session of the musical theater camp. I called OCU a couple of weeks ago and learned that the kids have both music theory and dance placement auditions the first day. Dance is taught by a member of the OCU dance faculty and is strictly jazz at this point. There may be a possibility of tap as an elective this year instead of just theater tech but they will let everyone know in time to bring tap shoes if the tap elective is desired. </p>
<p>Still would love to hear from others attending since my daughter doesn't know anyone there.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn't post a reply sooner. My D is attending the second session as well. She just finished her sophomore year in HS. She is very excited!</p>
<p>Thanks for replying. Since my last post, we received info indicating that tap definitely will be an elective. OCU is known for having a fabulous dance faculty and all the instructors for the summer program are faculty members. How much extra music is your daughter planning to bring?</p>
<p>My D leaves on Sunday for Session 2. She is very excited!</p>
<p>By the way, Anne1244, she is taking TONS of music, I don't know why, but she is making copies of just about all of her song books. I think she is probably taking too much, but she says she wants to have all kinds of different music and options to choose from for the cabaret nights. </p>
<p>Anyone have any kids at Session I?? Any feedback?</p>
<p>I've been trying to post for days but just now have the opportunity. My son Bryan has loved his experience at OCU. He has sung for Florence Birdwell and Kelli OHara and has thrown himself inot the conservatory atmosphere. He loves Dr. Herendeen and has thrived in being immersed in the arts. I hope D fares as well.</p>
<p>Thanks jacksdad, </p>
<p>Its so good to hear that your S has enjoyed himself so much!!</p>
<p>OK, jacksdad, the question on all of our minds is: if your son is named "Bryan," then why is your screen name "jacksdad"? Inquiring minds want to know .... :)</p>
<p>At the time when I first started posting I had registered using my real name as my screen name and I was discouraged by the powers that be. So I scrambled for a new name. Bry was playing Jack in Into the Woods so I became Jacksdad.</p>
<p>Jacksdad, thanks for taking the trouble and time to answer! Cute story. I figured you might just have another son named "Jack." :)
I am sure I am not the only one who would love to hear more details about what your son experienced at the OCU summer MT program. I assume the program is largely vocal oriented? Is that true? How much acting and dance did the kids do/take?</p>
<p>I will ask him to post when he gets home but it has been three weeks of intensive all day activity. Mornings were filled with dance, piano, theory and acting classes and then the afternoon were filled with assorted master classes and workshops. After dinner they rehearsed for Les Miserables culminating in two shows-the last tonight. There have also been Sunday evening Cabarets and the kids will put on a preshow dinner theater tonight for parents and friends. Bryan is doing a trio from Spelling Bee. It has been an encouraging and uplifting experience from all accounts and Im sure it will tough for him to leave all his new friends behind.</p>
<p>jacksdad, is the trio "The I Love You Song" from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee? My D (who is at CMU's precollege program right now) sang the part of Olive with two other kids (one girl and one boy) at in a musical theatre revue at her school. It's a very intense and sad song for a parent to hear.</p>
<p>it was. It sounded great over the phone as I was walking down the aisle at my brother's wedding rehearsal. You are so right about the emotions involved-one of the brilliant moments in the show when we saw it in New York. I cant wait to see the video of my son's performance.</p>
<p>NMR...my D sang the Olive part of the I Love You Song too in a performance last year. It is a great song.</p>
<p>Thanks so much to JacksDad for posting. I just dropped my daughter off yesterday at OCU and am reassured by your comments. They had an hour and a half dance placement audition after an hour music theory test and orientation the very first night! She wasn't even able to call until after 11pm because they ran so late. All the kids we met and she's met have been incredibly friendly and outgoing even though she is among the youngest of them. The staff we met were equally warm and friendly. I promise further reports as we receive additional info.</p>