<p>I didn’t think floutista was trying to start a war, my comment was simply to be careful how you get impressions, etc of any program or part of it. It sounds like floutista observed rehearsals of the orchestra and that is a wise thing, seeing how things actually happen is valuable, especially with orchestra and chamber that make up an important part of learning. </p>
<p>Just a general observation, be careful if, for example, you don’t like who is conducting an orchestra, it could be you are seeing someone filling in for another conductor or a grad student working with the group (either as fill in or working experience) and so forth…could also be the prinicipal conductor is a jerk, ya never know;)</p>
<p>Thank you all:) it’s to finish my undergrad, and I cant commute to Westminster from where I am living. My only other option is my backup school Montclair, since I want to do Ed as well, and I’ve already applied. Who knows, maybe that would work better, because it’s closer to where I live. I am definitely trying to pick myself up and keep moving forward. I certainly overestimated my own abilities and underestimated the amount of prep time I would need to nail the audition. I guess that isn’t a mistake I’ll make again, live and learn right?</p>
<p>Lisamarie: Sorry to hear about the audition, but thank you for posting. Everyone has bad performances, but few are brave or honest enough to post about them. </p>
<p>Hopefully the auditioning panel can see past the mistakes to the potential in your voice. They will be aware of how slowly the accompanist was playing and how difficult or impossible that made the phrasing/breathing for you. I have always maintained that it isn’t a flawless performance (as if there were such a thing) that gets you in, but rather the potential that is exhibited. </p>
<p>Just a word of advice to anyone in the future that has an accompanist that starts with an inappropriate tempo (either too fast or too slow). Politely stop them and ask if they can begin again at a tempo that you indicate to them. If you can do this with poise, it will only work to your advantage.</p>
<p>Have to echo violindad- my S is an accompanist to vocal jazz and this is an important skill to learn. The musicians are there to make the vocalist look good- they want you to guide them and communicate what you want (also important in instrumental combos!)</p>
<p>Lisamarie - thanks for posting and inspiring us to continue to pursue our passions as adults. You also reminded us that is a lot of work. But if you love music, you will keep at it and some years will be up and some may be down a bit, but music is for your whole life. I have played with musicians in the 80’s who still sound good. So keep your long term outlook. Also, as a busy adult, you may actually enjoy the Montclair experience since there is less commuting time and you will have more practice time. You can always take lessons for voice teachers at other universities when you have lots of education courses in a semester and don’t want to take the lessons for credit. When I was an undergrad, I traveled to Boston for lessons because I needed more than one approach to my applied instrument. My accompanist always knew when I had traveled to Boston for a lesson - she could hear it in my playing.</p>
<p>I am trying to say - don’t be too hard on yourself. Take it as a learning experience and as part of a ‘plateau’ in your music career. You will continue to improve, you just need to keep trying and you already know that :)</p>
<p>Thanks! Received word that I’ve been denied from Rutgers… They haven’t even received all my transcripts yet, so I guess the audition was a bad as I thought!! :-/ oh well, still hoping Montclair works out, fingers crossed…</p>
<p>Well, if misery loves company…</p>
<p>D was notified that she did not get into her first choice today (where she thought she auditioned best.) Crossing fingers for the remainder.</p>
<p>Lisamarie - fingers crossed! We attended a swim meet at Montclair and really liked the school and the location. It sounds like it would be good fit for what you need right now.</p>