<p>My family is watching the Oberlin stories closely as my son comes closer to his decision for next year - thank you all!</p>
<p>My son chose his school, Ohio University, by the quality and reputation of the school's marching band. (Best</a> College Marching Bands: Ranking the Top College Marching Bands) </p>
<p>He never auditioned elsewhere and felt comfortable in Athens because it's his old man's alma mater and a destination the young man was dragged over the years for parental social activities. I did not encourage him to follow me there but the exciting band and a most lovely college campus along with the ability to get out without debt brought a certain comfort level.</p>
<p>While OU doesn't have the diversity that the school would like, my son was blessed to room with two non-music majors both of high character, one an African American and the other a first generation American. He is a performance major while the school has lots of music education majors. </p>
<p>He couldn't have been more pleased than having the opportunity to be a member of the Ohio Marching 110 and the pageantry and honor of traveling to Virginia Tech and wearing an orange memorial tag on their green uniform and being cheered by the home fans and personally thanked continuously by the fine fans in Blacksburg as we walked the campus after the game.</p>
<p>As for the major, he is pleased with his placement as a freshman competing against upperclassman and a couple graduate students of being placed at 8th of 18 in the department. In addition to the marching band and the varsity band that plays for men's and women's basketball games in the winter he is in three ensembles; the second level symphonic band, the trombone choir and the top jazz band. All through high school he commented that he never had a teacher that he didn't think was great and the same goes for his first year experience on campus. So, I don't know if he is critical enough or he truly has had good matches with his professors.</p>
<p>There has been a good flow of visiting artists that he's heard. The university offers a fine performing arts series so he got his fill of seeing various non-instrumental performances. The spring weather has been great and the numerous attractive coeds add to the college scene. The practice rooms (his home away from home) also have outside practice opportunities where during this nice weather the nearby students are serenaded by the practicing young musicians from their roof top terrace. </p>
<p>He's having a terrific experience doing what he likes to do in a setting that is a match for him. He'd recommend the school and the program to any non-conservatory type that wants an affordable education in and idyllic setting with lots of opportunities. (Yikes, the OU Bobcats travel to Columbus for a September 6th match against the OSU Buckeyes)</p>
<p>Our D is finishing up her freshman year at UT (Tennessee-Knoxville). She loves it there and feels like she made the right choice for her. She loved being a part of the marching band although it really consumed her during her first semester. But she met some her closest friends in marching band camp the week and half before everyone else arrived on campus. I think she practiced more and harder than she ever had in her life during the second semester. She wasn't real pleased with the comments from her jury at the end of first semester. So she started a much more intense practice schedule during the second semester. It has paid off. She had the first of 2 juries for the end of this semester last night. She called this afternoon and was pleased with the results. She likes her professor and the other students in the flute studio. She loves that it is an urban campus. She walks with friends to the downtown area, where there are places to eat, movies, and concerts.</p>