Summer Programs - Discussion

<p>Nick,</p>

<p>Yes, I was wondering about the whole placement audition, too. 5 hours of auditioning on the first day! All I can say is 'Whoo hoo'!!! (in a semi-excited/nervous way) I don't know if it's just me, but I like to have some kind of an idea of "what goes on" during auditons before I actually get to them. Then, I can prepare myself a little. But, I'm sure that Mr. Wagner (or whomever writes the "MT preparation" letter) will include something about the auditions. . . At least, I hope so!
Yes, more waiting... but at least we are waiting on more info., not an acceptence letter! (Again, I wish your daughter all the best, nydancemom!)</p>

<p>~Kate</p>

<p>Thanks for the info Nick and Kate. I'm happy to hear that at least they are going to the wait list, even though my D still is on it. Because I also had a hunch that maybe they accepted more than they expected to "yield", so wasn't sure they'd get to the waitlist at all. I was told by UM awhile ago that the wait list isn't weighted and that it depends on who drops out, who gets asked off the waitlist. I guess maybe since they are "casting" the performance so to speak. But as my D said tonight, "Whatever will be, will be." So at least she has other options (although not her first choice). This is just a warm-up for two years from now when she does college auditons I guess! Yikes!</p>

<p>Trying to send a message to DizzyDani88. My d has decided to go to cherubs this summer and would love to connect with you before you take off. I tried to send you a private e-mail but it came back saying that your mailbox was full. I'm pretty new to this whole posting thing so I may not be doing this right. If you get back to posting (you may be like my d and buried under with finals, projects, etc) please let us know how she can reach you. Thanks--Jenna's mom</p>

<p>Hi, maybe someone here can help me...</p>

<p>I'm new on this site, My name is Marisa, I'm a junior in high school, and I will be attending the Steinhart Summer program. My only problem is that this will be my first summer program. I have been in summer stock performances and all participate in all of the musical at school but I am not sure if only this will look good on my college application compared to the many people who have been doing these programs since the beginning of high school. What do you think I can do?</p>

<p>Love2Sing,</p>

<p>Whatever else you do, don't let yourself be intimidated by anyone else's experience. There is no silver bullet that guarantees admission into an MT college program or success in this very competitive field. Your screen name says perhaps the most important quality you need - you LOVE to sing! It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Many many MT hopefuls never go to summer programs so don't worry about that. My D's experience sounds much like yours - went to CMU as a junior and only really did school shows and she just finished her freshman year as an MT at the University of Michigan. Enjoy your summer program at Steinhardt - my D was also accepted there for college and we really liked William Wesbrooks, the MT Dept Chair, who I understand is heading up the summer program. I know you'll learn a lot from him and the rest of the summer faculty. Make sure and report back after the summer and let us all know how it went.</p>

<p>Try to shut down that peripheral vision for awhile and focus on YOUR work, not the experience of others. That is what you can control. Best of luck and keep that passion for singing. It brings great joy.</p>

<p>Love2Sing...there is no ONE particular thing that you need on your college application to be admitted. Kids get admitted who went to NO summer theater programs. Secondly, nobody should pick an activity or program so that it will look "good on the college application." ONLY pick activities that you WANT to do that enhance your interests and skills because you enjoy them. The rest will follow. I speak from experience simply as a mother of two kids who have applied to college. They never chose extracurricular or summer activities/programs to look good for college. They picked activities and summer things because they wanted to do them, that was all. Sometimes these activities related to something they might do in college, sometimes not (ie., travel programs). The main thing is that you stay engaged in your interests.....in a commited manner....over a period of time.....achieve in those areas......be a leader....enhance your experiences and skills....learn...have fun. </p>

<p>Now, as far as applying for MT, there is no magic formula of what you need on the resume. For instance, you say you have performed in summer stock shows.....If you ask me, that is JUST as valuable an experience in this field as a summer theater program for teens. I think there are certain elements every applicant would benefit from but HOW you accomplish this can be quite varied.....I think voice lessons, dance classes (ideally ballet, jazz and tap but at least ballet), some acting classes or lessons, and actual theatrical production experiences are vital and ideally piano too. So, believe me, your summer stock experiences coupled with training, looks JUST as good as someone's summer programs. You don't need a precollege program to get into a BFA degree program either. My own kid has gone to a theater camp which consists of classes in all disciplines of theater, plus theater productions but no prep for college auditions at all. So, there is not one single thing that you must have or need but the training and theater work that I mentioned before. So, DO NOT WORRY...sounds like you have done what you enjoy in summers and are also buidling up both your training, skills, and production experiences....all the right building blocks to prepare you to go onto college level training. So keep up with a balance of these elements and choose where or how you will do these.....through school? community theater? local classes? private lessons? summer programs? and so forth. Pick things that you want to do while keeping a balance of these elements. </p>

<p>Good luck and enjoy Steinhardt Summer program. I am sure you will love the immersion. I hope it helps to fuel your passion. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

<p>Has anyone applied or received notification?</p>

<p>Sasha1--Yes to both--and no answer from either yet!</p>

<p>MTmommy.
We haven't heard either. We also have a problem in that my daughter has been accepted to a local dance based program that she applied to as a safety summer experience. It conflicts somewhat with the OCU and Miami dates. The local program wants an immediate commitment. Not sure what we're going to do--except leave it in God's hands.</p>

<p>Sasha1--It is really late to hear about summer programs. I don't think the schools realize how difficult this is. We've been holding off two other program acceptances until we hear and are holding up family travel plans for the summer. Miami's cutoff date was May 1, so I can't understand why we don't have letters yet--it's been almost 2 weeks. What grade is your daughter in?</p>

<p>My D has also applied to the OCU Summer Program and had a couple of other options that needed earlier commitments. I emailed JoBeth Moad, director of the academy. She said she would be sending out acceptances on May 15th...that she couldn't do it before then because that was the deadline to apply. So, I'm hopeful we'll get something early this week.</p>

<p>My D has heard from B/W (accepted) and Oberlin (wait listed) for their VP camps, but we really want to hear from BOCO!!! I'd really like to see BOCO work out since she has already done a TAG (talented and gifted) musical theatre camp at B/W last summer, plus we go there to see performances throughout the year. B/W is wonderful, but for us it is so - local! I'd love for her to see the world a little. (Plus, there is this boyfriend thing...) I was told when I checked with Boston by phone that my D's application was still pending and would not know for a few weeks! Arggg! It'll be crunch time because B/W will want their money at the same time as we find out what's up with BOCO. All of these dates overlap, so only 1 program can be done. I'm getting stressed. So, has anybody heard any word from Boston yet?</p>

<p>a.c.bay</p>

<p>MTmommy, my daughter is a sophomore and 15 years old. She won't be 16 until August. Getting accepted to a summer program might be a long shot at this point but we thought it would be good practice to get the materials together and give it a try. Still haven't heard anything</p>

<p>She is in! Hooray! Anybody else going to the Vocal/Choral Instutute at BOCO this summer?</p>

<p>a.c. bay</p>

<p>Dear a.c. bay--</p>

<p>My S will also attend BOCO this summer. He is 16, a sophomore at Walnut Hill Arts School and this will be his first BOCO experience. We're local area Boston but he'll board since it sounds like the informal evening activities will keep the kids there until fairly late most nights. Has anyone else had experience with this program? We've heard good things and also understand it is drawing increasing numbers of applicants now that it is established and is making more of a link with its musical theater programs, too.</p>

<p>Glad to hear there is somebody else from CC going to BOCO this summer. There must be more than just us, Kedstuff. Anybody? I am so pleased that this worked out. The deposit goes out FedEx tonight. B/W is just down the road and the only "college" she knows, so I am very happy for her to be accepted to another top notch program. Plus, I am hoping that the decision between MT and VP becomes easier to see. (I'll send you a message, Kedstuff)</p>

<p>Dear a.c.bay--</p>

<p>I didn't have settings for receiving mail through College Confidential but have now fixed that problem. I sent you a note and will hope to connect.</p>

<p>Kedstuff - </p>

<p>I received your message and will PM you later tonight. Off to a track meet for D#2!</p>

<p>a.c.bay</p>

<p>My d just called to happily tell me that she was accepted to U Miami summer pgm and even got a bit of a scholarship. We have had no word yet on OCU. </p>

<p>This has been such a great month for her--great NATS adjudications, regional dance conference, honors in English award, acceptance to school dance team, very high CA exit exam scores and now this. It it so heartwarming to see all her hard efforts pay off.</p>

<p>OCU has sent acceptance e-mails - my son is in for the summer program! I'll look forward to hearing who else is going! If you have a boy going, write me an e-mail. Look forward to hearing from girls who are going, also. (my PM's are almost full, so use e-mail).</p>