<p>My D is interested in Otterbein for vocal performance - I know this is the MT forum but the info on Otterbein is plentiful here. I thought we would visit this summer and see Spitfire Grill in August. I don't know what sense of the college we will be able to get in August, but hopefully some kids will be around and maybe a teacher or two. </p>
<p>Suggestions appreciated - how about accomodations?</p>
<p>I would suggest that you consider reading the various threads under "Otterbein" under the big list of MT colleges/programs at the top of this list. I believe that others have talked about their visits to this college, including places to stay. Good luck!</p>
<p>Cartera, send an e-mail to DoctorJohn; if he is around, he may be able to arrange a "private" tour for your daughter with a student. Alternatively, you might wish to e-mail Dr. Johnson (the chair of the music department) and see if he knows if anyone is going to be around.</p>
<p>There is a nice B&B right near the campus...I've never stayed there but have heard good things about it. Otherwise, there are lots of chain hotels on Polaris Parkway with a driving time to campus of less than 10 minutes. Here's the list of accomodations provided on the website: <a href="http://www.otterbein.edu/admission/visit/accomodations.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.otterbein.edu/admission/visit/accomodations.asp</a></p>
<p>The only place I've stayed that DIDN'T thrill me was the Baymont...</p>
<p>When we visited we stayed near Easton Town Center, close to the Columbus airport. It is around a half hour drive to campus, and we had a Trader Joes right there, as well as a bunch of nice restaurants from which to choose.</p>
<p>Thanks - I'll check that out. We'll be driving in so we don't have to factor in the airport but I am looking at places within a half hour drive. I looked at the college website and I see that there is a B&B adjacent to the campus.</p>
<p>Thanks Mezzomom - I had seen the Baymont listed on the school website so I appreciate the advice. I'll also check to see who will be around. At least I know some cast members will be around, and I'm curious as whether any of them are performance majors.</p>
<p>Cartera, my guess is that it's unlikely that any of the kids are VP majors...but it is just a guess. My daughter is a vocalist (offered a BM, was pursuing a BA but in the process of switching to an individualized BA), so if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. My daughter is working away from home this summer, but I do talk to her about once a week, so I can get any answers from her that you might need.</p>
<p>Mezzomom - thanks. You were kind enough to answer some questions that I had in May in a couple of PMs. The positive feedback was one reason she has Otterbein on her list. She had originally overlooked it because it is best known for MT. We are taking a very circuitous route on this trip - from Baltimore to Greensboro for a voice lesson at UNCG, a quick visit to North Carolina School of the Arts and then a drive to Otterbein and perhaps Oberlin.</p>
<p>Cartera, I'm quite embarrassed...I had forgotten about our PMs (can I blame it on a senior moment?) despite the fact that I've saved all of them! If you can't get into one of the B&Bs near campus, I suggest you just pick one of your "favorite" chain hotels and search for one on something like Priceline. There are so many along Polaris Parkway that it's likely you'll be able to find something. Re: the Baymont...it's not awful, but I didn't particularly like the drive-through check-in or the convoluted layout which led to several drives around the building before I could find our room. </p>
<p>Your trip sounds very ambitious; I must admit I'm glad the college search days are behind us! If you have the time, be sure to spend some time walking around "uptown" Westerville, right near the campus. There are some charming little shops, and Graeter's ice cream parlor is a must (although I would probably say that about any ice cream parlor :D)</p>
<p>Mezzo - I'm surprised I remembered. We may be rethinking trying to do so much in this trip. I thought it would be nice to see a show there, but it makes sense to go when we have time to see other places in the area. This may have to remain a North Carolina trip.</p>
<p>I would agree with the ice cream stop. I'm still longing for some of that chocolate raspberry stuff that is only in Ohio. </p>
<p>We stayed in a Travelodge off of Interstate 270 and Hwy 23 in Worthington. It was cheap, clean, and had a great free wireless connection. I booked the room on Expedia. There was a Buca di Beppo across the parking lot. We also found a wonderful french bakery and casual restaurant south on Hwy 23 in the downtown Worthington area. Great for breakfast and for a light supper.</p>
<p>OOOOOH! Bucca Di Beppo! Now there's some serious calories! I've only eaten at the one downtown but my d loved it. The atmosphere was so much fun! </p>
<p>Cartera, my d will be a freshman VP major at OC this fall. I'm afraid I can't be of much help right now as I'm still wet behind the ears on this subject! Maybe after she gets started in the fall I can offer more help! We do LOVE OC though, everyone has been so helpful and organized!</p>
<p>Thanks NanE. I'll look forward to picking your brain in the fall. If she has any strong feelings about teachers, let me know by PM. If D does a sample lesson, she would appreciate any guidance on that. On the website, there are at least 8 voice teachers listed so she will need some help in narrowing the choices for lessons.</p>
<p>Cartera, when my daughter had her sample lesson, we first contacted Dr. Johnson by e-mail. He then had us communicate directly with Dr. Eckenroth (also by e-mail) and make the arrangements with her. Dr. Eckenroth gave the sample lesson, and although it's my understanding that she doesn't accept students into her studio until they are upperclassmen, it was a very positive move to have the lesson with her. Dr. Eckenroth is "the decider" when it comes to studio placement, and I think the extra time with my daughter helped (in the long run) with my daughter's placement into a studio that is just perfect for her. If your daughter had a lesson with Dr. E, it would also give you a chance to ask questions about studio placement directly with the person who has the most say.</p>
<p>Cartera 45:</p>
<p>We've been in rehearsals for Joan Ackerman's THE BATTING CAGE, which opens tomorrow night, or I'd have written sooner. You've received excellent advice from everyone. You should write to two people about your visit: </p>
<p>Dr. Craig Johnson, chair of Music (<a href="mailto:crjohnson@otterbein.edu">crjohnson@otterbein.edu</a>)
Debbie Byrne, admissions liaison for the arts (<a href="mailto:dbyrne@otterbein.edu">dbyrne@otterbein.edu</a>)</p>
<p>Copy me, and I'll try to arrange tickets to SPITIFIRE GRILL for you. All of the actors are theatre majors, but any of them would be happy to talk to you and your d. about voice study. This page has the dates for the production: <a href="http://www.otterbein.edu/theatre/summerseason.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.otterbein.edu/theatre/summerseason.htm</a></p>
<p>Hope to see you soon.</p>
<p>Thank you for responding Doctor John. I am still working out the schedule, but I may have to plan a visit to Otterbein in the early fall instead. We would love to see the show, but combining Ohio with a trip to North Carolina may be a little crazy! I have to decide just how much time we can reasonably spend on the road in one week. I would also love for D to at least be able to sit in on a voice lesson, if not take one, and fall makes more sense for that. We haven't finalized anything yet, so I may be in touch soon.</p>