<p>Yesterday’s VP audition at Lawrence.</p>
<p>Good: very well organized with lots of people to assist, direct. Danish, donuts, boiled eggs, coffee, tea, juice available for breakfast at check in. Brunch provided at student dining hall. Many great info sessions available. The judges pre apologized for the fact they would be behind their computers typing in eval during the audition. Chair of program came to hall to escort each auditioner into the room.</p>
<p>Bad: short audition, with only 2 pieces. (under 10 minutes) DD had to sight read (her weakness) No feedback but we expected that so not really bad. </p>
<p>Ugly - weather to and from Appleton was bad. We drove in Friday night (stayed at a family member’s home) and saw 14 slide-offs in 110 miles, Driving home Sat. afternoon saw 9 slide-offs.</p>
<p>All in all a good first audition experience. Hope the rest go as smooth.</p>
<p>Things seemed to have changed since my son did auditions 4 years ago–I don’t remember any of the auditions having judges with heads buried in their computers. At least they apologized to your D, vivasolar–good to hear. I just keep thinking of my poor son, playing his heart out to the backs of talking people–sort of like a gig to do ‘background music’ for a cocktail party. In my old age I am not so complacent–I think I would have stopped and said “Excuse me, I would hate to disturb your conversation–I’ll wait until you finish.” That probably wouldn’t result in an acceptance for me, though. 
My S also said it seemed the professor was in a big hurry to get the audition over with as well–even though he was the first one of the day. So, yes, like the above two it was also shorter than expected–and much shorter than his audition 4 years ago in the same room. Much less friendly as well. </p>
<p>Clarimom, I just noticed your report of the audition where they talked through your son’s performance. How demoralizing! </p>
<p>Yes, not a particularly good time. But, as we told him, just one of those bumps in the road of life. He is currently halfway through his 6 hour flight back to his college–only to hop on a plane again on Tuesday for audition #2. (Yeah, crazy, but he’s one of those kids who just doesn’t like missing classes and rehearsals).</p>
<p>I really agree with GertrudeMcFuzz about USC.
My D had a great audition she didn’t mind about the sight read. I wished they give parking permit for the auditioners like Indiana Jacob School of Music did. $10 for parking was ridiculous. </p>
<p>Wow, Clarimom. I’m sorry your son went through such a dispiriting event. I hope the rest are much better, and I’m betting they will be. I wonder how much our kids should consider such experiences when making decisions? Hmmm. My S has his first audition next Sunday on the west coast. We’re experiencing what seems like Blizzard # 100 here, so I sure wish I were going, too! </p>
<p>Thanks, onekidmama. Hope your S has safe travels! Yes, a blizzard here as well, and predictions of more dangerous wind chill temperatures again for tomorrow and Tuesday–this seems to be one of the worst winters we’ve seen in a long time. I would love to be going along to auditions in warm places. :)</p>
<p>Florida State is looking better every day, and I live in Alabama :)</p>
<p>D2 had her audition at CMU today. Despite three separate waves of snow on both ends, flights in both directions were delayed less than an hour. DH accompanied her, so this is based on my debrief with them. </p>
<p>Good: Well-organized, lots of helpers to show kids to rooms, adequate practice rooms (assigned about 30 mins before audition time), tours and info sessions available. Audition lasted a little over 12 minutes. D2 said the two professors were very friendly and had all her paperwork spread out in front of them. A little chit chat, then they had her play one of her concertos, about two thirds of it, followed by three specific excerpts from their required list. On a couple excerpts they gave her some feedback and asked her to replay and incorporate (which she said went well). Finally, they did a few ear exercises, then asked if she had any Qs. She was very pleased with how it went. DH said the lounge had light snacks (granola bars, muffins, coffee, etc.). </p>
<p>Bad: Weather! The drive back to PIT airport was awful. Campus sidewalks were well salted, but sloppy. It was a short walk from the parking garage (free on weekends) to the music building. And some instruments were already running behind schedule by mid-morning, although D2’s was on time. </p>
<p>They stayed at Hilton Garden Inn as they did this summer, which has decent rooms and breakfast (not included) and is close to campus. They ran into another student who my D2 knows from youth orchestra, and they said HGI dinner was not good at all. My crew went to Joe Mamas, an Italian restaurant two blocks from hotel, that we found on Tripadvisor and they loved it. Ditto for brunch at Pamela’s after D2 finished her audition. Another friend who goes to CMU went to brunch with them and then gave them a tour of her freshman dorm. </p>
<p>All in all a very good first audition trip. D2 is glad to have one under her belt!</p>
<p>I think that the attitudes and behavior of the adjudicators do and should weigh in when it comes to a student’s final decision- those people represent the institution and if they are rude or appear uninterested why should a student think the school worthy of their time and money? It would be nice if the kids were able to mention these perceptions in communications, even if only when they decline an offer, but alas, the “smallness” of the music world makes that feel unsafe.
One of my D’s grad school auditions went badly awry last year and it left me wondering if there is any oversight of the panels at all. It was a regional audition and because of a forecast of possible snow, the adjudicators decided not to make the trip (about a 90 minute plane ride) and had a student working in the school’s office notify those scheduled that they would not be coming and would be conducting interviews and auditions via Skype. D was disappointed, especially as there wasn’t a flake of snow either at their school or the one where the audition was to be heard, but she dutifully showed up an hour early to check in as required. She was startled to find that room wasn’t properly set up and the poor students who were to run the equipment hadn’t been notified until that morning (so nothing was running on time) and that there was no place to warm up- she was directed to change and warm up in the Ladies Room! This despite the fact that it was being held at a conservatory, but all of the practice rooms were allotted to students auditioning for that school which was also the same day. When her name was called, the laptop-yes, that’s what they used- was set up so that she could only see the top of the two teachers’ heads on the screen and to make it worse, the two of them talked and shuffled papers during the whole time she sang. Despite the clear time frame, this school waited 29 days past the date when they were required to have notified the grad students and they made no apology nor offered an explanation for their disorganized state and rudeness.
Schools have high expectations from students and I don’t see why they shouldn’t be held to the same. The charge for the application and the audition yet behave in a manner one wouldn’t have accepted from a local “All State” festival day.
Needless to say, D chose another school.</p>
<p>Yes, you never know what to expect from auditions. But, certainly there should be some degree of civility. It is expected in the classical world that audiences listen quietly, respecting the performer. I cannot fathom why professors would choose not to grant the same respect to auditioning students’ performances. (And, talking and shuffling papers even during a Skype audition–how could they even hear her? That’s just awful!) Four years ago S actually was one of just a few students admitted to this particular professor’s studio at this school, but in the end after an agonizing decision he chose another school. He was a little concerned whether or not that would be held against him, but I guess the good news is that the professor did not appear to even remember him. Well, and the bad news…the professor did not appear to even remember him… He left very sad, feeling that it is very certain he will not be admitted this time around, judging by the lack of interest displayed towards him in the audition. But, yes, the music world is very small, and best to just forget about it and move on to the next audition. </p>
<p>These tales (and sadly I’ve heard many others) are so dispiriting.</p>
<p>Mansfield University Music Education:</p>
<p>D just had her first audition, 1 down 5 to go.
Good signage in music building and plenty of students around to assist. She had 20 minute music theory followed by piano placement and aural skills assessment. Violin audition was with single string instructor. Second instructor was out due to illness. Very casual. Brief discussion of music background, then a couple of scales and Bach piece. He asked her to play some Irish fiddle music that was mentioned in her bio. D was very happy about whole day. Audition was video taped. Weekend, so no issues with parking. Stayed overnight at Comfort Inn due to 4 hour ride with chance of bad weather. Great rates.</p>
<p>They had a 30 minute general session to discuss school and music program, followed by financial aid officer QnA.</p>
<p>Nothing bad other than food tray selection. Cheese and cracker with juice. Even though it got going at 11AM, I would have rather strong coffee and sugary donuts. </p>
<p>Just wanted to mention some wonderful writing again by Karen Rile in her latest blog on violinist.com: A Parents’ Guide to Conservatory Auditions, Part 13: Luck. Whether it be auditions for conservatory or music schools, and no matter what the instrument, it’s a great read that is very timely and meaningful for this busy time of auditions. I even forwarded it to my S. Hopefully I’ll be able to post the link here. <a href=“Karen Rile Blog Archive for November 2014”>http://www.violinist.com/blog/karenrile/</a></p>
<p>Thanks for posting the link, Clarimom - more wonderful tips and things to consider - somehow before this thread I never considered that schools wouldn’t have things beautifully organized and adjudicators wouldn’t be hanging on every note of the auditions since students took so much time, effort and $$$$ for the opportunity. Blech!</p>
<p>I know from past years that the attitude and attention, or lack of attention, from the judges did not correlate with whether or not a student got accepted to the program. There have been numerous accounts of auditions with no interaction, and judges who seemed not to be paying attention - where the student was admitted with significant merit aid. I have seen warnings for years not to jump to any conclusions - whether good ones or bad ones.</p>
<p>Excellent point, SpiritManager, and I’ve seen that too. I think that the point here is the lack of common courtesy which seems to be more common than ever, and that’s disheartening to even the most experienced student.
And it’s not confined just to school auditions either. I recently heard of a young woman who traveled to another region to enter an extremely prestigious vocal competition. As each singer took the stage, it became clear that this particular panel of adjudicators were only interested one particular fach and those who weren’t of that type were quite aware that they were being ignored by the panel! This was also a division where they had stated in the entry materials that “feedback would be provided”- which was a big reason why these singers chose this region in the first place (not all areas do this and it’s delineated on the forms); just before the competition began, it was announced that the judges had decided not to give evaluations or communicate with the singers. These things are very expensive and time consuming- requiring hours of lessons and practice, time off from work and travel costs in addition to entry fees.Unfortunately, this was not the only “horror story” to have come from this competition this season, and it’s not concluded as of yet.
Our kids, all of the young musicians who go into these things, work hard and deserve to be listened to and respected but those common civilities are becoming all too scarce.</p>
<p>D has had her best results, including significant merit aid with admissions from panels who seemed otherwise engaged. I know it’s disappointing not to get the rapt attention you deserve…but never dismiss those who may be talking, because for all you know they are discussing your future. And on this competition, if it’s the panel (and I can only think of one) that my D has had success with…never ever assume that you know what they are thinking. She left her first experience quite convinced that the panel was being dismissive. Nothing could have been further from the truth. And even during the feedback, she was given no indication that she had placed first. They frequently seem to be “ignoring” even their favorites. The path to the MET is not paved with sunshine, lollipops and rainbows everywhere. In fact,just due to her own experience, she now considers that frozen, rapt, attentive smile to be the “kiss of death”. YMMV-every panel is different.</p>
<p>( But not giving feedback as promised is really too too bad.)</p>
<p>All well and good for your D, musica. I totally agree that sometimes one never knows what a panel is discussing. However, in my son’s audition that I was referring to, the professor was giving the students behind him (the audition process there includes the students from the professor’s studio as a part of the audience) instructions and directions for some things he needed done–as my son could distinctly hear while he was playing. My son wasn’t asking for ‘rapt attention’ but simply to be the focus of the audition. I don’t quite understand your reference about sunshine etc.,–must be some hidden agenda there that I am not getting. </p>
<p>In the sunshine comment I was referring directly to the competition that MM was describing as a horror story. (in fact i was not refering to your sons experience at all) I’m not denegrating your sons perception of what occurred, just giving another frame of reference. Auditions are not performances. They are not fun.The panelists have busy days, lots to hear, and things happen. It is too bad that they did not give your son the quiet that he deserved. But truly, I would not judge the results by what happens between the panelists in that room. </p>