<p>Thanks so much for all of the great advice, guys! particularly the one about bringing food and water. My little Southerner refuses to believe that there are actually places where people wear winter coats, so Eastman will be interesting anyway. Eastman with my grouchy husband, a freezing kid and no lunch? Now I will definitely be prepared!</p>
<p>I need to vent about strings for a minute! A couple of weeks ago, I got an e-mail offer from Shar and asked DS if he needed to order strings. Never heard back. I cannot order for him because I have no idea what he wants. Then on Saturday he wants to order with next day shipping because he has to have them for his audition this weekend. I asked him to call around locally and see if anyone has them in stock. Sure enough, the shop where his brother takes lessons has them. So we could have picked some up last Thursday. Grrrr. To top it all off, I got 2 different e-mail offers from Shar TODAY! I think he should order an extra set.</p>
<p>There are several places to eat around Eastman: Java Joes next door has been there forever (and is crowded), and there a few other restaurants at the end of the block on East Ave. There is a place in the residence hall too that everyone can use. Max of Eastman Place is across Gibbs Street- it’s more expensive and fancy but they often have lunch specials and can be a great way to cap off a day. The Little Theatre (a great independent movie house) is down East Ave, about a 10 minute walk) has a really nice cafe inside the rear theatre building, while 2Vine is a really upscale place just behind the theatre complex. I’d like to suggest driving or taking a cab over to The Old Toad, an authentic British Pub, staffed by students from the UK, which is located on Alexander St- it’s unique and a lot of fun.
I have to ask this question about kids and strings; don’t mean to be snarky, I am inquiring from the standpoint of a violinist myself. I’ve carried extra string in my case since I was 8, my teacher would have been all over me had I not. Teachers always told me what I needed, and that changed according to my playing ability and they made sure that my family knew how much they cost. Parents set my allowance to cover those expenses and I was made responsible for ensuring that I had strings, rosin and any music assigned to me. Some may consider that too much for a youngster, but I learned to respect the time of professionals and to be ready for any eventuality.
Things break or and you need to be prepared- it’s also nice to be able to help out a friend.And putting a new set f strings on before an audition isn’t the wisest idea, at least not if you intend to keep your instrument in tune and not have to constantly adjust it.</p>
<p>I agree with your earlier post Mezzo’sMama, you cannot equate the caliber or wealth of the school with the sustenance they provide!!! I think we should start a thread about which schools provide food and drink and those that don’t because as one of those waiting parents last year when DS2 put us through the horror of auditions, it would’ve been nice to know. I will be going through the horror again next year as DS3 has tortured me with he fact that he too wants to be a music major. And like childbirth, I have complete amnesia as to what happened in each place. Plus with it being a different child and a different instrument, there are not many overlapping schools.</p>
<p>Major shout out to Westminster Choir College - D decided THIS MORNING to apply there. We contacted the Director of Admissions to set up a visit this week while we are at Temple U, and they have managed to squeeze her in for a live audition. Never expected that - very impressed! So a cross-country flight & 2 auditions are in store for D & I this week - exciting! She has to get a fourth audtion song ready by Friday - she sounded OK with it. </p>