<p>Rice has a terrific program. My son applied and ended up waitlisted. The building is by far the nicest of any we saw anywhere. They also have one of the finest college orchestra conductors in the country. However, be aware that they only have about 30 slots for freshman every year across ALL orchestral instruments and voice. They have a total enrollment for undergraduates of about 120. In many ways, getting into Rice is harder than Juilliard. Not only are there many fewer slots, you also must meet the academic requirements, although if the music school wants you, the academic requirements are not quite so stiff as they are for non-music admits. But music students are required to take some distribution classes and the school needs to know that you can handle the work outside of the music school.</p>
<p>one more option to add to team-mom's list:
UMich offers a Bachelor of Musical Arts which is essential a double major in music performance and a liberal arts or engineering degree. I think some other universities may do the same. It's a lighter program than the double degree (BM / BA) so be done in 4 years, not 5, but offers more non-music classes than the BM performance degree. (still requires auditions and acceptance at both schools, I believe)
Princeton offers a "certificate" in music performance that is essntial a minor and can be quite substantial; there are Princetonians who are serious musicians and who manage to study with teachers at Julliard and Curtis while completing their BA. This is another case where an early visit, and a chance to meet and play for a teacher and the orchestra conductor could be very helpful and informative.</p>
<p>My statement in post 48 above was not quite correct. The actual Oberlin policy on outside scholarships can be found at <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/financialaid/prospective/policies/scholarships.html#outsidescholarships%5B/url%5D">http://www.oberlin.edu/financialaid/prospective/policies/scholarships.html#outsidescholarships</a></p>
<p>Basically, an outside scholarship that is in any way merit-based can replace self-help (loans and work study) but will not reduce merit-based scholarships or need-based grants offered by Oberlin unless the total from all sources exceeds the total billed by the college. That means that every source of outside merit-based aid is money in your pocket until you get enough combined aid to pay for a full ride. Beyond that, it is money in the school's pocket.</p>
<p>Outside scholarships or grants that are entirely need-based replace Oberlin need-based aid dollar for dollar, starting with the grants. Any source of outside need-based aid is money in the school's pocket until you have gotten more from the outside than Oberlin offered in grants. Beyond that, it is money in your pocket.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you who have replied! This is excellent information!!!!!</p>
<p>Sorry to revive this old thread but... </p>
<p>What does one wear to the lesson? Dress up[suit]? Casual/Comfortable[polo shirt/jeans]? </p>
<p>thanks,</p>
<p>You want to wear something that is comfortable and presentable. My kids (both did preview lessons even though DD was not majoring in music) wore slacks (not jeans) and a nice top. DS wore a shirt with a collar, and DD wore a nice sweater. The key is comfort! No jeans, no sneakers, no baggy slacks, etc. A polo shirt (that fits) is fine. My son, the music major, actually did wear a sport jacket, shirt (no tie) and khakis to some of his lessons, but he was also having interviews on the same day.</p>
<p>Thumper is right - first impressions count. Clean and neat is key. I think a suit is overdoing it. But, my D actually did wear jeans to one. We did a tour at the same time, and she had an interview as well. She felt really stupid that she wasn't dressed up more - most of the other kids in our tour group were dressed up - including jackets and ties. She wasn't worried about the lesson, but sat and fretted in the waiting room, as other kids left for their interviews. The interviewers were dressed up, too. Boy was she relieved when her interviewer came out in jeans! :) (She was admitted with both music and merit at that particular school. In the end, I don't think it matters too much.)</p>
<p>I am sure my S didn't wear jeans, because he is not a jeans guy. But I can practically guarantee that he wore rather baggy khakis or cords to practice lessons. That is about all he owns. (Nice pants and blazer to auditions.)</p>
<p>Daughter dressed casually for tours and sample lessons. This seems to be normal among bassists. Most of the teachers at those lessons were also dressed casually.</p>
<p>For auditions, she changed into concert blacks (a top and pants rather than a skirt or dress to facilitate playing). We observed that the voice majors paid more attention to clothing and physical appearance than most of the instrumentalists, although some of the violinists and cellists were on the dressy side.</p>
<p>My son went in jeans (not sloppy ones though, and he often wears a nice sweater) to practice lessons everywhere, but plans to wear concert attire to auditions.</p>
<p>druu,</p>
<p>I'm glad you appended this to an existing thread--it makes it so much easier to read the collective wisdom of the Music Major thread. Good subject, too!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your responses! I guess I'll go with some dress pants and a collared shirt. Seems to be a happy medium. I just figured jeans might be acceptable since this would be in Texas [Rice]. Better safe than sorry though! Thanks,</p>
<p>Oh-it's Rice-why didn't you say so!</p>
<p>Still can't wear jeans...though probably khakis and a collared shirt would be fine. Depends which teacher. We drop in on occasion, my D is at Shepherd-so I've seen & met lots of kids coming in for interviews/lessons. You are safe with anything dressier than jeans and less dressy than concert dress.</p>
<p>Don't forget to find out exactly what they expect from you at your audition! I think most teachers will tell you, even before you ask.</p>
<p>Have fun! Enjoy the moment.</p>
<p>Thanks... still have a month or so to go... just want to be fully prepared!</p>
<p>By the way team_mom, how does your D like Shepherd? Is it what she was expecting? Exceeded her expectations? or a disappointment? Anything she doesn't like about it? </p>
<p>Thanks for your insight!</p>
<p>Loves it, loves it, loves it!</p>
<p>First time I've ever seen her really excited about anything in her life. She adores her teacher, admires her conductor and relishes the high caliber of the orchestra. She attends classes all morning, plays her instrument all afternoon and practices all night. She calls home to say "Mom, thanks, I love my life." That's the best it can be.</p>
<p>She misses NYC, her friends there, the Phil, the Met, but she thinks it's all worth it for Shepherd, feeling that it would have been a distraction if she were in the city.</p>
<p>The only negative thing I can say about Rice is that they have limited vegetarian fare at the colleges, a problem for her. And I wish it was closer!</p>
<p>We will be visiting some colleges this spring with my jr. d. We have set up a private piano lesson with a professor. For those who have been down this road, did you supply the teacher or anyone else while there with a resume or any other personal information to keep? If a resume is used, when listing the competitions that d. has performed in, do we list only the ones she has placed in or even the "participated in" ones?
Thanks!</p>
<p>We didn't give a resume, but it's not a bad idea. I would only use competitions she placed in.</p>
<p>I'm not so sure I think it's a great idea. It's supposed to be a lesson, not an audition or interview. I do, however, think it's good to be remembered, so leaving a good impression is important and followup is key. If your d's teacher knows the teacher, it could really help if they call ahead to give them a headsup about d. During the course of the lesson, the teacher will usually ask about d's experiences, but not always. If you wanted, that might be a good time to respond "I've got a resume with me, if you'd like to see it." </p>
<p>In all honestly, S1 is about to embark on his sample lessons with teachers and we don't plan to have a resume at hand. Perhaps if the lesson were only 10 minutes I might reconsider, but after an hour with a great teacher, they should be able to tell a lot about a student's playing. Remember, these teachers just finished weeks of auditions of HS and college seniors. I think at this point they are impressed by very little except good playing, a pleasant personality and students that understand and integrate their suggestions quickly.</p>
<p>Just my opinion.</p>
<p>On second thought, I think I agree with team mom. It is very much like the fact that the audition controls everything (resume, rep list, recommendations, prizes, etc). The way your daughter plays will or won't make an impression on the teacher. The resume is probably of mild interest at best - all the kids applying have pretty good ones anyway. He or she can ask specific questions they have.</p>
<p>Thanks! I'll have one on hand just in case it seems appropriate, but at least it'll force me to get all of her information together for the applications in the fall!</p>