<p>I've narrowed my summer programs down to Stagedoor Manor and OCU (if I get in). Can anyone tell me which I should go to from personal experience? I'm having a really hard time choosing. I like the college aspect of OCU but I mean...it's in Oklahoma and kinda far away. Any opinions?</p>
<p>i went to french woods so people might say that since it is a stagedoor "competitor" i'm going to be biased but my UNBIASED answer is OCU...</p>
<p>OCU is a University program and it will show the musical theatre departments that you audition for at the college level exactly how serious you are about your career as a student of the musical theatre.</p>
<p>stagedoor is more of just using what you know to put on musicals (as i know it) as opposed to a serious training program... not to belittle the talent of the people at the program, they are EXTREMELY talented people... some of the best.</p>
<p>but with something like OCU on your resume it seems academically and artistically serious, something that will be looked on positively in the college process.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, people who attended French Woods are unfairly biased against SDM. I went to SDM for 3 years and I can say that I got more and better training there over 6 to 9 weeks than I did in theatre and voice classes for the whole rest of the year. You take amazing classes and apply what you learned to the show that you are working on. See my post on the Stagedoor thread for more on the classes. And the shows are easily of a college conservatory calibre. Also, people make the best freinds that they have there. I have met many lifelong friends who I will always care for and who will always be a part of my life. So Stagedoor is the real deal. It is an intense theatre environment in which I realized that theatre is what I want to do more than anything in my life. Take a serious look at stagedoor, you won't be disappointed.</p>
<p>Wow that's only slightly immature... I stated that I WAS taking an unbiased look at it... because OCU is a college and will look more serious on a resume...</p>
<p>which is the truth.</p>
<p>jg, I don't think that there's any <em>right</em> answer here. :) If you've looked at each aspect of both programs and think you'd enjoy both equally, then maybe you'll have to let something else make the decision for you, such as transportation there. Or perhaps you should flip a coin! :) Seriously, though, I'm sure you'd probably enjoy either one and, quite honestly, despite the debate here on this thread, attending either one will neither make nor break your college admissions process. Students should choose to do a summer program (or NOT to do, as the case may be) because it's what they <em>want</em> to do during the summer, not because someone feels it may look good on a resume. Best of luck with your decision!</p>
<p>As a lurker for some time, I thought I'd finally contribute something I know about!</p>
<p>I think alwaysmom is correct. Each program has its benefits and each program is different. I certainly think each program can give a young MT performer something they want.</p>
<p>I have a bit of knowledge of both so I'll share!</p>
<p>My D and family had visited a friend at SD a couple of summers ago. We enjoyed the show and meeting the students. The instructors were working professionals (well..most were but there were several who weren't although their brochure says all instructors are) and friendly. The facilities were adequate. The bunks standard camp housing. My D really enjoyed what she saw and if she wasn't looking for a serious music theater program, would have been happy to go there. There are some very talented students there.</p>
<p>My D attended OCU's summer program last year. It was without a doubt a life changing experience for her. OCU is a demanding MT program that covers all aspects of MT training. She was in classes mornings and in the afternoons and then she was in rehearsals in the night for Bye Bye Birdie. It was an exhausting full day for her most and most of the other campers. But in three weeks, she grew and really saw what the MT business was all about. They really don't pull punches at OCU. They kicked out a girl in the first week for breaking a rule. As a parent, I like that they take the program so seriously. The students we met seems to be very interested in studying music in college.</p>
<p>So....both programs are reputable and will give you what you want. SD is much more of a camp situation where the focus seems to be on the show. OCU is much more a training ground for students who want to do MT in college. I would not send a child to OCU is they do not have a desire for MT because they are serious about what they do. </p>
<p>There were a few others we have looked at that you may want to investigate: Ballibay, French Woods and Boston Conservatory.</p>
<p>I hope this helps! Good luck on your search!</p>
<p>kenmarksnj, I did not mean that to be an insult. Only that there is a rivalry between the two programs and that an attendee of either will be biased, whether conciously or not, against the other.</p>
<p>Seriouosly though, SDM is not any less serious for future college actors then OCU is. It is a more relaxed environment, but one in which you will learn a ton and get firstrate training. And the creative staff are all working in the business, the counselors maybe not so much, but they are not teaching.</p>
<p>Since you are trying to decide between these two programs my guess is that cost is not a particular issue for you. However there is a more than $2000. difference in the cost of the two programs for the three weeks. SDM would be cost prohibitive for our family and if the training is excellent at both, as said by others, that for the bill payer speaking here would be the determinant. One other aspect to conisder may be your interest in OCU for college. This would give you an opportunity to see the school, city and find out about the program and how it feels for you. SDM cannot provide this other than through the knowledgeable people who work there.</p>
<p>I guess I don't need to mention (though I am doing so!) that there are many other fine summer musical theater programs besides Stage Door Manor and OCU. Is there a particular reason that the original poster is not looking at any of those?</p>
<p>Thank you MTd and keppingclam for your observations. While I'm sure that both camps have their merits, I can only see benefits for a child to attend OCU's summer program.</p>
<p>This is actually quite timely as we have been discussing summer at our house (it just seems like summer ended!). Last year we looked a numerous theatre camps, looking first at their quality and then their cost. Since we were theater newbies, we didn't know what to expect in the mail. Out of all the camps we heard back from (French Woods, USDAN, NYU, Stagedoor and some others I have forgotten), OCU's was the only program that felt serious. I called and spent 30 minutes on the phone with one of their staff and he explained everything I needed to know. (Incidentally, I did call Stagedoor and left a message which was never returned).</p>
<p>The biggest difference between OCU and Stagedoor is that OCU's is a university program for high school students. As their website states, it's a place for students who are serious about music. It's not a camp where you go swimming. That's something that our family liked. If we're going to spend major $, we want it to be used for education not swimming.</p>
<p>Also, the cost between the two (as keepingclam pointed out) is drastic. OCU is thousands of dollars less than Stagedoor. After seeing the living conditions and theaters in the Stagedoor brochures, you have to wonder why they haven't put money into their facilities. In addition, OCU has a new music building ($30 million I think) where the camps are held.</p>
<p>And mamrose, I would guess that jg6970 is interested in these two programs since they are both leading MT summer camps. But you are right..there are others out there.</p>
<p>So, for us, the decision is easy. Our child is serious about music and attending college to study music so OCU is the only place we would consider.</p>
<p>trill, it sounds as if you have done your homework. Just remember, however, that OCU's summer program is (for hs age kids) by audition only. I am sure your child is super talented (aren't all of our kids? ;)) but it always makes sense to have a backup plan.</p>
<p>I've already looked at a lot of other programs and narrowed it down to these two. It looks like OCU is the best fit for me. Still, I'm a little afraid of homesickness because I've never been away from home for longer than 4 days before so I'm worried that will ruin the experience, but I'm sure I'll get over it. Anyone know which session they're doing Les Mis? That's the one I want to go to, but they haven't specified which session it will be in yet.</p>
<p>Hi NotMamaRose..yes..we did out homework! I think if you want your child to get something out of an experience you should look at everything. Your right about auditioning for the OCU summer program. That was another point we liked about OCU over Stagedoor. At Stagedoor, you don't have to audition to be accepted, they accept everyone. Now, I realize that one's love for theater is important, but if you are going to be in a serious theater program where you want to get something out of it, it seems that it would be better to be in one where the students have demonstrated talent and have been chosen. After all, everyone doesn't get cast in every show. But there is a place for every type of program.</p>
<p>And another thing we like about the OCU program is that they offer financial aid and scholarships. Stagedoor appears not to do that. OCU offers All State and NFAA scholarships which is great.</p>
<p>Once again, I am more than a little offended by those people who are condeming Stagedoor without having been there. Most people who go there are very serious about theatre and the program is designed to support such serious students. But theatre should be fun, and it is also designed for people who want to have fun. So yea, it is a camp, but it is a theatre camp first and foremost. There is a pool, but you do not have to swim. You can take theatre games or master acting, or ballet or Movie making, or tv acting, or Master voice or modeling..... As far as the living conditions go, for a camp they are first rate. They are not college dormatories. They are in an old resort in the catskill mountains. And the theatres at Stagedoor are all quite nice and varied for different needs. Two precenium stages, an outdoor theatre, a cabaret stage, two black boxes. And the studios are all in good shape and perfect for rehearsal spaces. Of the people that were my age when I was at Stagedoor: 1 is staring on broadway, 2 are at U Mich, 5 are at BoCo, 2 are at CCM, 1 is at CMU, 10 are at Tisch (8 in Cap 21), 2 are at Syracuse, and 2 are at U Miami. So I assure you that Stagedoor is a very serious training program. The only drawback to stagedoor is the price. While it is worth the price you pay to go there, it is still very expensive. They do give scholorships sometimes though so it can't hurt to ask. And about them not calling you back, I am sure that it was just a mistake. And you should have tried calling again. So please think in the future before you bash programs that you know nothing about!</p>
<p>Stagedoor may not require an audition to get in, but you audition the first day that you get there and the talented kids will get the experience and training that you would expect from a college prep program. I have met more extremely talented people there than anywhere else. The concentrated level of talent is unbelievable. And while stagedoor doesn't use the official scholorships, they do give them on an individual case by case analysis.</p>
<p>IJE...no one is bashing Stagedoor. In fact, people here have gone out of their way to state CLEARLY that there is place for several music camps.</p>
<p>The points here that have been intelligently brought up about Stagedoor and OCU are true...there is no denying that:</p>
<p>1) SDM costs much much more than OCU
2) You audition to get into OCU and you do not have to audition to get into SDM
3) The SDM housing facilities are "very camp like"
4) OCU is a serious university based program that does not offer the "camp" setting that SDM does</p>
<p>As had been explained above several times, there is a place for a serious music program like OCU and a camp music program like SDM. No one is debating that. Just because you do not like these points being brought up is no reason to accuse members of bashing. As you so clearly stated above, "an attendee of either (program)will be biased." You are posting your thoughts about SDM and others are posting their thoughts about OCU. The members who have posted here are kind enough to share their opinions just like you are. That is what these message boards are for..sharing of opinions. Sometimes we agree with what they say...sometimes we don't. Everyone on this thread has presented their statements in an open and equal setting.</p>
<p>As put in numerous threads before, if you don't like what you read, don't read it.</p>
<p>IJE...no one is bashing Stagedoor. In fact, people here have gone out of their way to state CLEARLY that there is place for several music camps.</p>
<p>The points here that have been intelligently brought up about Stagedoor and OCU are true...there is no denying that:</p>
<p>1) SDM costs much much more than OCU
2) You audition to get into OCU and you do not have to audition to get into SDM
3) The SDM housing facilities are "very camp like"
4) OCU is a serious university based program that does not offer the "camp" setting that SDM does</p>
<p>As had been explained above several times, there is a place for a serious music program like OCU and a camp music program like SDM. No one is debating that. Just because you do not like these points being brought up is no reason to accuse members of bashing. As you so clearly stated above, "an attendee of either (program)will be biased." You are posting your thoughts about SDM and others are posting their thoughts about OCU. The members who have posted here are kind enough to share their opinions just like you are. That is what these message boards are for..sharing of opinions. Sometimes we agree with what they say...sometimes we don't. Everyone on this thread has presented their statements in an open and equal setting.</p>
<p>As put in numerous threads before, if you don't like what you read, don't read it.</p>
<p>I apologize if my post was too heated, but if you go back and read the post by trill, he was clearly bashing SDM. He was saying that OCU is the only program worth sending your child to. I still would like topoint out that the housing facilities are quite nice for a camp. They are not cabins or anything. You are in a converted hotel. Each room has it's own bathroom. Everyone has a dresser and the rooms are carpeted. It is probably the nicest room that any camp provides for it'sattendees. And yes, I may be biased, and you are right that there are many excellent summer programs in this country, but I am just trying to give a correct view of what stagedoor is. Not the opinion of people who have never been there and who get their information from a brochure and from this board.</p>
<p>I think it is hard to compare two very different programs and certainly cannot begin to establish which is "better". To me, picking out a summer program (or school even) is about which fits what you want for an experience. When comparing options, compare which program lines up best with your personal criteria of what you prefer for a theater training experience. Also, like AlwaysAMom wrote earlier, I cannot begin to imagine choosing a summer program or extracurricular endeavor with "which will look better on my college application." I have two kids in college, quite selective ones, at one of their first choices, and not a single extracurricular activity or summer program (they've gone to summer programs every summer since they were young) was ever chosen with college admissions in mind. They picked programs they wanted to attend, pure and simple, related to their interests. The rest followed. So, I disagree with the poster who claimed that one of these two particular programs on this thread will look better on the college application. Further, I disagree with the poster who wrote that one program was more "serious" than the other, or that SDM is not a serious program. I don't see that at all as the difference. Further, for someone whose child has not attended a particular program, it would not be as valid to assess the seriousness of it without that first hand experience. I disagree with the poster who thought only one of these programs would beneficial to attend. I think both are.</p>
<p>To my knowledge both programs are very good at what they do. The programs are different. One similarity, however, is that both programs combine training/classes with a theater production experience. Otherwise, OCU is a pre-college MT program set at a college. Therefore, it is only aimed for students in HS. SDM is for youth ages 8-18. OCU is only a three week program. SDM has three week sessions, but one can attend 3, 6, or 9 weeks. MANY attend for six. SDM costs more than OCU. OCU is set on a college campus. Despite what others wrote here, SDM is not set in a camp like setting like most summer camps at all (I went to summer camp for ten summers myself). SDM is set at what was once a Catskill resort hotel that was turned into a summer theater training program. There are no cabins. The housing is dorm-like with five sharing a room with a private bathroom. Because it was once a hotel, there is an indoor and outdoor pool. Swimming is not an activity but there is a pool if you want to cool off during the break (though more typically kids will use breaks to learn lines, take care of personal stuff, or socialize). OCU is a smaller program and therefore puts on one musical per session with a larger cast. SDM puts on 13 full scale productions per three week session, including 8 musicals and 5 dramas, and the cast sizes max out at approx. 24 actors. OCU requires an application and audition and I have no first hand knowledge how selective that process is or the percentage of admits. SDM has no audition/application to get in. There are many quality programs, including pre college ones such as CMU that do not require an audition either. Those are some factual comparisons. Anything beyond that would not be for me to say as I only have first hand knowledge about one of the programs. Similarly, I don't think anyone who has attended or has had a child attend OCU could talk that significantly about SDM. I know kids who have attended OCU and loved it and so I would recommend anyone looking into a pre-college MT Program to take a look and to talk to those who have attended. </p>
<p>What I do feel "qualified" to discuss is Stagedoor Manor, as my own child attended for 8 summers, 16 sessions, a total of 48 weeks of her life. We never picked this program with college in mind, as she started at age 9. Once she went, she would never consider going anywhere else in subsequent summers up to when she began college as she loved where she was going and that was enough reason to stay. While there is no audition to get into SDM, everyone who attends shares that passion of theater, which is what I hear is common at many of these summer theater programs. In fact, I think that is one similarity you would find between a program like OCU and SDM. There is a variety of levels of talent at SDM, which I imagine is the case at many summer theater programs. As well, there is a variety of training and experiential theater backgrounds amongst those who attend from all over the country as well as some from overseas. There are classes at different levels so that all levels of talent can be accomodated. There are shows at different levels for various ages and backgrounds, in terms of challenge level. Each person signs up for 8 classes per session and they take four per day, as they rotate days. Each person is also cast in a drama or musical that is at a high level, which gets put up in 2 1/2 weeks. There is a full array of classes in all aspects of acting, voice, dance, stagecraft, etc. There are also Masters level by audition classes in those disciplines which more experienced kids are placed into. Dance classes in all areas are also leveled and there is a dance performance at the end of each session for those taking dance.</p>
<p>The instructors, directors, musical directors, choreographers, etc. are all professionals. There are OTHER staff who assist the professional staff (ie., assistant stage manager) and also supervise things like housing who are about the age of recent college graduates who have studied theater themselves, but are not yet professionals. Well known theater professionals also come to visit to give Master Classes and speak to the campers. </p>
<p>The productions that are put on are wide ranging and often go beyond typical shows chosen by schools to put on. Examples: Sweeney Todd, Miss Saigon, Nine, Carrie, Merrily We Roll Along, Aida, Jekyl and Hyde, Hair, Follies, Chicago, Company, Laramie Project, Romeo and Juliet, Leader of the Pack, and recently a workshop version of RENT. They also put on shows more commonly done such as Les Mis, Footloose, Oklahoma, Joseph, West Side Story, Millie, Urinetown, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, Fiddler, Into the Woods, etc. They also do some more obscure musicals and plays. They also put on many excellent musical revues such as Perfectly Frank (Frank Loesser music), Starting Here, Starting Now, The World Goes Round, Side by Side by Sondheim, A Grand Night for Singing, and many, many others (with 39 shows every summer, there are way way too many that I have seen to mention). As well, each session, by audition, approximately 40 people are chosen for a selective MT cabaret troupe which puts together a musical revue in approximately 12 days time that until recently, used to be performed at a couple of large resort hotel nightclubs to the public, as well as for the rest of the campers and parents on campus. For those who are in this cabaret troupe, they are cocurrently rehearsing TWO shows in a short period of time, and take four, not 8 classes. Often, many who are in the cabaret troupe are also leads in their musicals, so have a lot to handle at one time. There is also a selective (by audition) acting troupe that puts on an acting sort of revue/showcase as well. I have to say that the talent in both of these selective troupes is very high, thus providing a level of challenge for those who got in by audition. The cabaret troupe tends to be ages 13-18 usually. </p>
<p>As I said, my child has gone to SDM for 8 years (is now in a BFA program). She would tell you that she has learned all she knew about theater (before college) because of Stagedoor (though she trained at home and did shows at all levels of theater during the rest of the year). She also would tell you (I'm quoting things she has said to others) that SDM was the most significant influence in her life of any she has ever had prior to college. As parent, I can say this is true because I think so much of who she is today relates heavily back to Stagedoor Manor. I believe for those who attend other programs for a significant period of time, they would likely say the same and in that regard, I do not view SDM as "better" whatsoever, than some other program. I am ONLY saying that my child has gained SOOOOOOOOOO much from her time at SDM. I don't doubt for one moment, that others who have attended other fine summer programs feel similarly about theirs and thus, I feel there are many many fine options out there and it is more about fit with what you want in a program. Besides all the training in singing, acting, and dance, my D also gained a lot from the 16 musicals she was in at SDM, the many significant roles she got to play that also went beyond typical "youth fare", the 15 casts of Our Time Cabaret with whom she performed and the many professionals she worked with, many of whom she is close to today and sees in NYC. Beyond all that, the immersion in a very intense theater program (and it is quite intense, so the comments about "seriousness" are not valid.....the kids go all day and night in classes and rehearsals). I know that my kid was intensely engaged in learning her own musical, the cabaret (which has about 30 songs in it), her dance performances, and work for classes like Master Acting, etc. A huge part of the SDM experience for my kid (and others have said the same) has been the bonds she has formed (likely for life) with other youth who are extremely passionate about theater like she is and for that matter, hugely talented. To this day, these are some of her closest friends and they are from all over. </p>
<p>CONTINUED>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></p>
<p>Frankly, I would not pick a program based on "where are the alum now" but since the "seriousness" has been brought up and the fact that Stagedoor Manor doesn't require auditions has also been mentioned, I will tell some things I know in this regard. There are many well known alumni such as Natalie Portman, Mandy Moore, Zach Braff, Jeff Blumencrantz, Robert Downey, Jeanine Tesori, Julia Murney, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michelle Federer, Danny Gurwin, Bryce Howard, and so on. However, off the top of my head, thinking through the kids who my D is friends with and who attended SDM during HER YEARS...I can think of those currently attending college (this isn't even comprehensive as it is just who I know personally and not all who have attended)....approximately 8-10 at Tisch/CAP21, several at each of NYU/Tisch's Playwrights Horizons, Experimental Theater Wing, Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler studios, 4 at CCM, 1 at CMU, 4 at UMich, approx. 6 at BOCO, 3 at Emerson, 3-4 at UMiami, 1 at Northwestern, 2 at Syracuse, 1 at BU for BFA Acting, 1 for Acting at Juilliard and 1 for dance at Juilliard, 1 in dance at Purchase, and many who chose not to go the BFA route (even if they got into a BFA) who are studying theater at Brown, Yale, Vassar, Tufts, Penn, Cornell, Skidmore, Muhlenberg, and so forth. Also, amongst just the kids my own kid attended with and performed in shows with, I can think of two in the just opened new Broadway musical, Spring Awakening, two in the current off Broadway play with Cynthia Nixon - Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, one who was just Mark on the National Tour of RENT (currently doing a stint on the Asian tour), one who just graduated CAP21 and is the understudy to a few leads in the new tour of Spelling Bee, one who was Sophie in the National Tour and Broadway casts of Mamma Mia, one who is about to be one of the leads on the new tour of Jersey Boys, two who were in Fiddler on Broadway, one in Crucible on Broadway, one in La Boheme on Broadway, one who was in Hurlyburly off Broadway, one who was in Les Mis and Ragtime on Bdway, many who have been in professional regional theater productions (including well known venues), many who have won NFAA awards, as well as state awards in this field. These are just amongst her own peers. Actually, a girl who attended this past summer is currently Jane in Mary Poppins on Broadway. Another has performed with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Several of her peers have been in movies or on TV shows. My own child has performed with the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, amongst other well known venues. To me, that is not a reason to attend SDM, but I only mention it to acknowledge that many of these "campers" are indeed "serious" about MT or Acting, are indeed talented (even if there is no audition to attend), and many choose and are admitted to top BFA programs and go on into professional regional, Broadway and National Tours, as well as TV/movies. </p>
<p>As well, I have another daughter who spent four summer (8 sessions - 24 weeks) at another wonderful summer theater camp, French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. I will not get into that program here as that is not one of the ones being discussed. I know kids who have attended many of the pre-college theater programs and all have related GREAT times at these as well. My niece, who spent one session at SDM, just did the summer pre-college program in Acting at BU (and had gotten into Northwestern & CMU's summer programs too). She loved both. </p>
<p>So, for the OP, I think it is important to examine the type of experience you want and figure out which program closely relates to your own criteria and preferences. Either way, I doubt you can go wrong as both programs are very good, just different. How either looks on the college app is irrelevant to me. If you REALLY care about that, I can tell you that SDM is certainly "recognizable" to these BFA programs and LOTS of Stagedoorians have gone onto the finest college programs out there. My D has auditioned in NYC, including Broadway, and often the auditors pick up on and mention SDM to her when they see it on the resume. In fact, many have said "I attended there!" As well, many agents scout talent at SDM and my own kid had that happen several times and met with these agents in NYC and has had one well known NYC agent since her first summer there at age nine. That all came out of her experience at SDM. She has had theater professionals, including a Broadway director, contact her after attending SDM performances. Now that she is in NYC, she has many contacts through SDM and it is neverending. She just musically directed a show and the director, producer, and choreographer, were all SDM alums. She is in constant contact with a myriad of SDM alums attending various BFA programs and working professionally, as well as the directors, musical directors and choreographers she has worked with there. In fact, two called her in recently for an audition in NYC. Stagedoor Manor is like a family that will be with her forever. I can't truly express the enormous impact SDM has had on my child's life. SDM may not be for everyone, but I can only say for my kid, it was her "heaven on earth" and has been a major stepping stone in both her life an career. </p>
<p>My purpose is to share what I know about the summer theater program I have first hand experience with. I don't think I could compare the programs and think that it is best if people share about the program they have attended or have had a kid attend. Then, for the person considering programs, he/she can list their own personal selection criteria and then list pros/cons for each program and see which fits their own list of criteria the closest. There may be cost issues and travel issues (and parents being able to attend performances, etc.) too. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Thanks you SoozieVT for sharing your thoughts. As had been stated here over and over again, there are many fine programs out there. It's ironic that IJEkiss decided to bash me for not having first hand knowledge of SDM, yet on the other summer program thread, he bashes Interlochen as a terrible program and then admits he never attended. If you're going to accuse someone, make sure you are not guilty yourself.</p>
<p>There are many wonderful summer music programs and OCU just happens to one of them. Being set in a major music university, the students are taught by the OCU music faculty. The program is held in the amazing new Bass music center which was just being finished last summer. We were given a tour by the dean and we were simply amazed by the classrooms, rehearsal rooms, orchestra rooms, and new theater. I guess $30 million goes a long way! Also, the program offers a three week and a six week MT option. They are presenting two, three week sessions back to back and students may stay for both. They are doing different shows for each sessions - right now they are tentatively presenting Les Miz and The Pajama Game. As for acceptances, we were told last year that there were over 150 auditions mailed for 60 spots so they are selective. It helped that my D sent her audition in early (I believe they are accepting auditions now). We very much appreciated their financial aid program.</p>
<p>We also like that the program is directed by Dr Herenden, the head of OCU's MT Department. My D thought he was serious and direct but very caring at the same time. She said he inspired her to develop. Dr H told the students last summer that "OCU doesn't train performers. We train musicians" and that's very true. OCU believes that MT students need musician courses like music theory, sight singing, piano, diction and others in order to be successful in the MT business and that is quite true.</p>
<p>We should be grateful that there are places like OCU and SDM where our children can have life changing experiences. Places like these really help shape students.</p>