<p>Has anyone auditioned at Rice this season? As we expected, we found the level of playing to be very high. We heard a student recital and an orchestra concert--both absolutely top drawer in my opinion.</p>
<p>Matthew Loden, the Director of Admissions for the Shepherd School, advised that Rice has 303 applicants and will take a freshman class of 30 encompassing all instruments and voice.</p>
<p>While I understand that Rice (Shepherd School of Music) typically takes about 22% of its applicants, it's looking grim this year. I wonder if other music schools are similarly situated in terms of the number of applicants vs. the number of available spots?</p>
<p>D auditioned there in voice end of January. She also stayed in the dorm overnight and attended some classes. She was very impressed with the level of students in all areas. What they take varies by instrument or voice part. There really isn't any single percentage that makes sense. </p>
<p>It was hard to tell how many voice they were auditioning since we could only see the one days registration. They were also doing graduate and undergraduate all day. We understood however that they do not take many in any one part, maybe only 1 or 2. That has been pretty consistent. The most we have heard anywhere is 3-5. That's why the safety was there.</p>
<p>Rice is particularly difficult because it has a pretty small undergrad program AND students must meet minimum academic qualifications. A place like Eastman will have in incoming class in the range of 130 and academics are not as important although they do count somewhat. Some instruments are "hotter" at some schools than others and are thus, more competitive regardless of the numbers. </p>
<p>You cannot play the numbers game in music performance. There are too many variables, the numbers we are dealing with are small overall, and there things change quite a bit from year to year. All you can do is do your best at the auditions and sit back and wait for the results.</p>
<p>Let me know if anyone has questions about Rice vocal performance. D is a senior this year and studies with Kathy Kaun. She would be glad to hear from any of your kids. Her senior recital is coming up!</p>
<p>Woah! I must be getting old. MoWC's daughter is a SENIOR already? Best wishes for her recital and whatever she has chosen to do after graduation.</p>
<p>Thanks- I know. I can't believe it. My awesome daughter is going to work for a year in Houston while her soon-to-be fiance finishes medical school. Then-she is hopefully going to seminary while her (OMG HUSBAND????) does his residency. She needs to finish her discernment process for seminary and they need to find a city where the Bishop will allow her to go to seminary and the boyfriend can do his residency. Now, if I can only survive my OTHER child (WildChild).</p>
<p>I auditioned for voice. I don't believe I will get in this year, but it looks like a great school. I would definitely consider it for grad school when the time comes around.
Kathy Kaun was nice enough to have a short lesson with me while I was there, and she was very kind and helpful.</p>
<p>I also attended a piano recital given by one of the faculty members. It was excellent.</p>