<p>Dear all,</p>
<p>So, I am thinking that in November, I am going to audition for Otterbein College. But, I am not positive on what I'm doing (trabnsferring there, or not.) Does anyone have insight as to whether their program for voice is good or not?</p>
<p>There is a parent who posts here periodically who has a child at Otterbein. I hope she sees this and responds.</p>
<p>My D and I are visiting Otterbein next weekend. Our concern is that there may be too much emphasis on musical theater for her liking. Friday night, we're going to see the Opera Scenes that the undergrads do to get a sense of what is emphasized. The online bios of the voice teachers are pretty sparse so I am hoping to get more info. She hopes to have a voice teacher who is not a crossover between MT and VP.</p>
<p>Jeremy, my daughter is a sophomore at Otterbein. She auditioned into the music program and chose to pursue a BA rather than a BM (she was offered a BM). Since she's started, she has decided to pursue an individualized BA; once it's finally approved, she'll be working towards a BA in "Global Cultural Relations" (cultural emphasis in music).</p>
<p>Her decision to change from a strictly music major was absolutely no reflection on the music department but was more about her interests and ultimate goals. She is very impressed with the music department and absolutely adores her studio teacher. She came into the program with a strong background in solo and choral performance and generally feels that she has been well-challenged along the way. She has received nothing but unconditional support from the music department about her new plan, and they still very much regard her as "one of theirs"...so much so that they're allowing her to keep her music scholarship, even though she won't strictly be a music major.</p>
<p>When she auditioned, she actually found herself getting less nervous as the day progressed, because everyone was so supportive...students, staff and professors. Before she went into her audition, she completed a form that included the question as to what she was auditioning for (BM, BA or music ed). My daughter put undecided, because she already knew that she had other strong interests that made a BM unlikely (at Otterbein, BMs can't double major, only minor; BAs are allowed to double major). She was concerned that this might be viewed as a negative, but she didn't want to "game" the system at all. Her "undecided" led to a very nice conversation with the audition panel, and she discovered that it was not viewed as a black mark. In fact, the Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Walker, actually started her music path as a BA. Once you're actually in the program, there is probably a bit of preference given to BMs for performance opportunities, but it's a hard to really tell if it's politics or talent...their training is, after all, a bit more intensive than BAs (although the tracks are identical until junior year).</p>
<p>Cartera raises a valid point about the concern re: MT and VP. Otterbein's MT program is very strong and very, very selective; sometimes, students who don't make the cut for the BFA MT program are offered a BA or BM in music as an alternative possibility. Those students who express a strong preference for MT are generally placed in one or two very specific studios, where there is a bit more emphasis on learning MT style in addition to classical training. Students who are going in for music and want "pure" classical training are placed in other studios where that is the emphasis. But no matter which studio you are assigned, classical training is the starting point. Unlike some schools, you cannot formally request a specific studio, but the assignments are made with some input from the students. I don't know how they do it exactly, but my daughter tells me that very few students ever request a change in studios; they're generally happy with their assignments.</p>
<p>Good luck at your audition, and feel free to PM me if you have any further questions or would like to talk directly to my daughter.</p>
<p>Jeremy, one other nuts-and-bolts type suggestion for your audition. If you have a music resume prepared, be sure to take it with you. They do give you a form to fill out before your audition, and my daughter found it much easier to just have them attach her resume. Be as complete as possible, and don't worry too much about squeezing it into one page; the music department is fairly flexible about this. I can't say for certain, but I do think they review the information when considering scholarships (although obviously your audition carries the most weight), so the more complete, the better.</p>
<p>Mezzomom,</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your advice :) I am getting more confident for this audition talking to people on this thread!</p>
<p>I mean, I only know that two profs are listening to me, SO, it shouldn't be too nerve-wracking, I'm just nervous I might not be able to emote completely...haha...but that's just a prsonal thing I can work on.
Does your daughter find it to be cut-throat at all at Obein? I know that you said at the audition it was supportive atmosphere, just wondering in terms of after hte audition. (sorry for my typos!)</p>
<p>Jeremy, I don't think I would call it cut-throat. The kids are competitive at times (e.g. opera auditions), but my daughter said it tends to be supportive at the same time. Does that make sense? For example, during the opera auditions a few weeks ago, she said they all sat around together waiting for their audition times, after warming up separately. And she said that very few people left once they were done...they just hung out together, waiting to hear how each person felt they had done. Of course, that may have just been because it was more fun than going back to the dorm and hitting the books...!</p>
<p>I think you'll find the Otterbein atmosphere very warm and friendly. It was the one thing that stood out for both of us over the course of numerous visits; my daughter and I are convinced there's something in the Westerville water.</p>
<p>Hahaha it might be somethign in the water, i'm super excited to go and audition Although my voice teacher really isn't the best so idk if my technique has been compromised in the past 2 months, we'll see!</p>
<p>Jeremy, I'd just like to concur with Mezzomom! ;) My D is a freshman at OC and she loves it! We too found it to be very warm and friendly and a perfect fit for my D even though she auditioned as an MT major but did not get into the program. She is in the BA program and exploring her options at this time.</p>
<p>My Daughter auditioned last Thursday and got a phone call last night that they want her in their Bachelor of Music in voice program. They said they are trying very hard to get her great scholarship money! This is her first acceptance and she is just thrilled. </p>
<p>The people at Otterbein are wonderful and so far it has been a great experience. </p>
<p>Cartera, feel free to PM me if you want to know any details. I know your daughter is auditioning there soon..or maybe she just did????</p>
<p>Congrats Linnlew! What wonderful news! Otterbein sounds like an excellent nurturing program.</p>
<p>Thanks! One down,..and waiting!</p>
<p>Linnlew, congratulations to your daughter! It's always nice to have one acceptance signed, sealed, and delivered, especially when the audition season is just beginning.</p>
<p>Yes, thank you! Will all of the running around we have been doing this does feel like there may be a light at the end of the tunnel!!!</p>
<p>oops...With!</p>
<p>Linnlew - that's great. My D's audition is on the 12th. She auditioned at UNCG on Saturday. Did they tell your D if you can find out about studio assignments before fall?</p>
<p>Cartera,</p>
<p>No, I really don't know. I know we can go have a voice lesson and request a professor, but I can't remember when we find out. I will ask that question!</p>
<p>Linnlew, congrats to your D! My D is loving her freshman year at OC! She did not find out her studio teacher until Fall but I don't know if it is possible to find out before then. She LOVES her studio teacher and thrilled that she will have her all 4 years.</p>
<p>Thanks, NanE...</p>
<p>I am happy she likes it. Is your D in voice performance? Yes, I did find out that they do not find out who their studio teacher is until the Fall...just like you said!</p>
<p>Linnlew,</p>
<p>Congratulations to your D and you too! My D is also in vocal performance (or wants to be). We just found out about OC even though we live just 2 hours away! My D has auditions scheduled at Bowling Green, Butler, Ohio U and Baldwin-Wallace. Do you have any insights you can share about any of these programs?</p>