<p>Many of the schools require you to bring recommendation letters to the audition (along with head shot, resume, etc.) Are you able to some of the same letters that you sent in to the University for your main application? At my D's school you get one academic/one arts (or non-academic) letter requested at the end of your Junior year. The school puts together their package with the Guidance counselor form, transcript, rec ltrs, etc and sends them off to your requested schools by Sept 15 of your Sr. year. Apparently that's how they've always done it and no one complains even if the school only requests one letter. Now that my D has to bring one or two letters to some of these auditions I am wondering if it is going to be redundant. Anybody have any experience with this problem?</p>
<p>I think that as long as the letters of recommendation are specific to what the department is asking for bringing the same letter that was sent to admissions is fine. I believe that most departments never see the application materials sent to admissions. Thu has been the case at both schools where I have worked.</p>
<p>My experience is the same as Kat's: the admissions offices where I've taught do not usually send recommendation letters to the departments. So using the same letter, as long as it meets the department's requirements, should not be redundant.</p>
<p>I agree with Kat and Dr.</p>
<p>I find that disheartening because at most schools it seems that the people sitting behind the audition table will make the ultimate decision...and they didn't even see the recs, essays, and scores that a student poured their heart and soul into??</p>
<p>MamaBear,
I feel your pain. 2 cycles ago myD was in the audition process and poured her heart and soul into her apps. Every school handles information diffently. For some schools the info and process are integrated, for others bifurcated. But, those letters of rec and essays and scores are seen by the admissions office, and if the info doesn't meet the school standard, then, in most cases, even if the applicant is highly desired by the MT dept, the admission will not be offered. It is true that some MT depts can apply even great pressure to take students but the students almost always need to be academically qualified for the school as well. On the other side, the MT panels my D had, and she auditioned at 9 schools, all knew her scores, grades, and her EC and made comments to her about them as well as her performance resume. Most of them requested separate artistic recs sent directly to them as well as some personal statements so the applicant's writing ability is represented to the panel. It is my understanding from my D and other friends of hers at different programs that they have been told by their faculties that the auditioners can tell in the first 5 or 6 notes what they need to know. After that, it comes down to all those things over which there is no control: voice type, vocal quality, acting, dance, gender, poise and presentation, physical type, ethnicity, who is the "4 year compnay" is graduating and needs replacing and so on. Most of these schools put more emphasis on the audition than the app. But without some group(admissions) reviewing the hard work of every potential candidate, there is not admittance!! Hope this helps. BREATHE!!! ;')</p>
<p>Oops- I hate typos! Sorry. Corrections: my D, differently, who in the "4 year company"</p>
<p>You're right...deep breath...it's not all to no avail as that academic acceptance is still a piece of the puzzle. :)</p>
<p>How many letters of rec. do you bring to the audition?</p>
<p>I would suggest no more or less than the school asks for. Some schools do not want lettra of recommendation, some do. This will usually be posted with the audition information.</p>