<p>So yesterday I visited a school that I'm interested in and talked to the director of admissions for the music school. She said I should email the chair of the voice department and ask any questions I have. I think that's a good idea, but I can't seem to come up with any questions! I don't want to come across as too desperate to be accepted. Should I introduce myself and tell him about myself, or is that too much? Should I keep it to just questions? Can you all help me come up with some questions to ask? Thanks</p>
<p>You are over thinking this. “She said I should email the chair of the voice department and ask any questions” If you have no questions, you don’t need to email him.</p>
<p>Sorry, I worded that weirdly. It was more along the lines of “you should get in contact with him”. I want to let them know I’m interested but I’m concerned that I don’t want to look like I’m begging them to admit me, I guess. </p>
<p>Why don’t you want it to appear that you want to go to school there? There is nothing wrong in expressing interest or asking questions.</p>
<p>Obvious starter questions: Can I schedule a sample lesson? Do you charge for those and how much? Are there classes I might sit in on or performances I could attend when I come for the lesson? Do you allow visitors to sit in on the studio class? How many new students might you accept in a typical year and how many typically audition? Do you know how many openings you expect next year? What are the performance opportunities for freshmen? I don’t know a thing about voice, suppose there must be teaching style or other discipline specific questions. You could comment on what you noticed/liked about the school when you visited, to appear interested.</p>
<p>Don’t know if it’s the same for voice, but my son researched the guitar and jazz faculty at the schools he’s looking at and looked them up on Youtube or reverbnation, etc. He then was able to contact them from a sort of “shared perspective”… for the guitar instructor at one place, then, he was happy to find they had shared influences in their music. Both liked some of the same songs/guitarists, etc. So, I’d say if you can find a video, etc of the teacher or a group he/she is in charge of, you can approach them that way — "dear so and so, I am interested in blah blah school. I recently enjoyed your blah blah group performing…whatever. My background is… " If you have any questions at all, though, ask them!! As celesteroberts siad, things like sample lessons, classes to sit in, are great questions.</p>
<p>Have you auditioned at that school already? If you have, a nice thank you note, expressing your continued interest in the school would be terrific.</p>
<p>My son has sent several emails to different music directors or applied facility members this year. He introduces himself, gives his high school info and talks about his primary instrument and other musical interests. He then talks about his interest in the program and asks if the person has any suggestions on how to get to know the music program better. </p>
<p>I’ve been the main contact for scheduling lessons and I have my son follow up. I suppose it would be good for my son to contact himself but it requires extensive traveling do I like to do it myself. They didn’t seem to mind.</p>
<p>Absolutely you should contact the professor. My S has emailed back and forth with a few professors of his instrument. They have all been gracious and helpful.</p>
<p>Be aware that not all teachers deal with their own email! Some are extremely busy with teaching and performance commitments while others just don’t want to be dragged into the “age of technology”, so they have student assistants handle things. Sometimes, communications get overlooked or put off just because of timing- for instance, if it’s tech week and then performances for the opera, concert trips, etc. If you haven’t had a response within 4 days or so, it’s OK to call the school and ask for advice.</p>
<p>I don’t see a reason why not to email the teacher. I did it with all the schools on my list and it just enhanced the connection with the teachers. Also very recommended to have a lesson (or at least meet - some of them do not give full lessons to prospects) with the teacher before the audition.
As for questions, you can ask anything about the program, what ensembles do you have, for example, or about the teacher, what do you work on most with your students, and such. And you can definitely introduce yourself and your musical/non-musical background. There is nothing to be afraid of!</p>