<p>My D is a VP major (Soprano) at a state school who will be graduating with a BM in May. She has had comprimario and principal roles in all of her school's productions (12) these past four years, despite a large and competitive undergrad and graduate pool. Given the rigor of her coursework and the demands of rehearsal/performance schedules, it was all she could do to work part-time at Starbucks for some extra cash and did not have the opporutnity to double-major or even minor in an additional field (read: coursework that would have prepared her to get a job in which she can support herself after college). Bottom line: she put all her eggs in one basket.</p>
<p>She is very serious about her craft and has every intention of finding success on the opera stage. She is very realistic about what that means and what she has to do to prepare for it. She is fortunate in that she will be graduating without any debt from her undergraduate program and is prepared to take on debt for grad school -- hopefully at a major conservatory. Influenced by the "what now" messages that I saw posted here and elsewhere following the audition circuit last year, I decided to take a different approach.</p>
<p>So, as she began gathering information and working on grad school apps and rep for auditions last summer, we spent an afternoon talking about and developing a back-up plan; then we spent a week researching the areas she was interested in and came up with a Plan A and Plan B. I explained to her that I wanted her to go into her grad school auditions without being afraid of failing and not getting in someplace, knowing that she had a plan in place.</p>
<p>Then we put everything about Backup Plan A and B away -- only to be brought out if the results of her auditions did not go the way she hoped. I also told her that if we had to put the backup plan in play, it didn't mean she had to give up on her dream, it just meant that she had to pursue it as a secondary interest for the next couple of years while she earned the nursing or dental hygiene certificates she couldn't decide between (there are numerous programs that will allow you to earn your RN in only 18-24 months depending on the number of pre-reqs you have compelted and have a Bachelor's; DH is a 2-year program in this state). After that she would be employable with a liveable wage and with careful budgeting of her time and money could afford to support herself and pursue her dream of being an opera singer.</p>
<p>She ended up applying to 7 schools and was invited to audition at 6. We got weathered out at one audition (it was VERY selective but included full tuition plus a stipend and was her first choice -- of course they admit only 4/year). She had 3 auditions one weekend and at the final one was told on the spot "we want you and will make sure you have the money to come here next year." Absolutely shocked b/c outside of SUNY Purchase she had NEVER heard of this happening, she went ahead and cancelled an audition the following the weekend, believing that she now had "sure thing," although she did go to a NYC school audition this last weekend and ended up auditioning at 5 schools.</p>
<p>Beyond several encouraging emails from the various schools, and the meeting held after the audition previously mentioned, we're in the same waiting game as everyone else. She's handling it much better than I am, I must say! When I asked her about it the other night my own words came back at me: "Mom, you've always taught me not to get wrapped up about auditions because there are so many factors completely outside of my control; these auditions are no different. I hope school X comes through like they told me, but I'll believe it when I see it in writing. Meanwhile, if the "worst" happens, I'll work on my RN with the same energy I've spent on music these past four years, continue to work on my music and stay the course like you've taught me. I've got a plan no matter what happens -- no worries at all."</p>
<p>And with an attitude like that, what is there left to worry about? She's in a good place no matter what happens. Audition season is like the end of a olympic sporting event -- sure, some "get the gold," others silver or bronze, but most only had the pleasure of pursuit. And the competition only gets more stiff as you continue along the path.</p>
<p>So follow your dreams -- encourage your children to follow theirs -- but go in with your eyes wide open, proactively plan for all contingencies (because it's easier to do it in advance and allows you to walk away more easily from disappointment), and most of all: Have fun!</p>
<p>OK...off my soapbox! (did I set a record with the longest post?)</p>
. One nice thing about grad auditions is the immediate feed back is pretty typical. ( I just don’t want some of the impending undergrads to be discouraged) D knew her status either the day of or the day after. However, the money offers took a few weeks.