<p>A student auditioning at Eastman this weekend had his clarinets stolen from a practice room there today. What a terrible thing to have happen! Apparently he left the practice room for only just a couple of minutes. Just a reminder to all students traveling to auditions to be extra cautious at all times with your instruments and equipment, and don’t leave them unattended for even a second. I feel so sorry for this young man–how incredibly stressful and sad.</p>
<p>Glad that you’re back safely, Dradsmom. At CCM, everyone goes into the same “casting pool”, with the roles going to PhD candidates and Masters students; that’s as it should be in a program of that sort because it keeps the younger voices safe.</p>
<p>Clarimom, that is absolutely horrible! Having lived in the county for 30+ years I know that the gentrification in downtown Rochester hasn’t been successful in the area around ESM and the security in the practice rooms is pretty much nil. Access is easy and no one keeps track of who is coming and going in that building. I hope that the student filed reports with the city police, the NYS Police and insisted that the area pawn shops be notified. Valuable things gone missing in the Rochester area have a habit of turning up in those shady places.</p>
<p>Yes it is my understanding the police and pawn shops have been notified (including the serial numbers of the stolen clarinets), and the info was posted on clarinet online forums. Apparently there is also a suspect, according to a website “said to be 5’9, Caucasian, light beard, and had a tan bag”. The clarinets were in a “white hard rectangular small double case with various bumper stickers on it, including an I <3 UCLA, San Francisco Conservatory, sticker, Cazadero Music Camp sticker, among others.” What a cruel thing to do.</p>
<p>At least they have a handle on this, not that it makes it much better. I wonder if ESM has run a check to see of any of their current student match the description or if anyone recognizes him from among those auditioning that day? If it was someone from “outside”, he’ll probably try to unload them quickly for cash (hence the pawn shops) and putting the info online will keep them from being sold that way.Will you please keep us updated on this? My heart goes out to the young man who was victimized.</p>
<p>VP Audition day at boston conservatory was a little anti climatic. After an exhausting attempt to physically arrive in boston (due to inclement weather), we took a cab to the conservatory. We were greeted by a panel of student a who took down names and handed out information. Fashion report: girls in sleeveless dresses of all types and colors (reds blues and purples). The undergraduates dresses were more casual (jersey knit) and the graduates were more formal (satin, organza and taffeta). But absolutely 0 had sleeves. My daughter wore a black taffeta dress with stitched fabric detail on the bottom and houndstooth print heels with a patent leather bow on them. The student interview panel loved her shoes and several faculty members complimented her on the dress. I was especially worried about this because the advice from the forum had said definitely sleeves and we couldn’t find a single appropriate sleeved dress that had the appeal of the ones she has. And since she is a 36ee there is absolutely no way to not have cleavage. </p>
<p>We were early so we went downstairs to a waiting room/lounge. At that point a couple of grad students and a professor came in and began an informal talking session. The instructor was very warm and offered a tremendous amount of insight to them regarding the expectations of graduate students. </p>
<p>She then went upstairs to the fourth floor where she thought she’d have 30 minutes to calm her nerves and instead they took her right in to the audition. She was in there for about 5 minutes when she came out and proceeded directly to a student ran interview session. </p>
<p>She came out of there after about 3 minutes and that was it. </p>
<p>Afterwards she told me she sang one song of her choice and one of there’s. She was than asked questions about her background including the performing arts school that she attended and why she choose vp over musical theatre. They also inquired about what other schools she was applying to and she made it emphatically know that Boco was her top choice (while here she feel in love with the city). She said that the instructor panel was specifically non emotional and unlike most other auditions she couldn’t “read them”. In the student panel she asked them how many applied and how many students were they accepting. She was informed that they had reviewed “several thousand” videos and had called back a couple hundred, and would take around 20. </p>
<p>While waiting for my daughters interview, the young girl whose “spot” we took arrived (she was late her mom said due to weather). During her audition her mom stood by the door and shared with those in the waiting area that she (the mom) had received her coloratura training from Eastman. Her daughter was a beautiful lyric soprano. </p>
<p>When my D finally emerged she said she had done very well, shared all these details and said, “well, it’s done, let’s go”. Being a musical theatre veteran she doesn’t sweat about how she auditions or what the verdict is going to be. She knows it’s as random as genetics-there is some predictability, and you can do some things to help your chances, but in all practical sense the final decision is out of your hands. </p>
<p>I was told I performed my Sherpa duties exceptionally and in light of all the snow in the area and the virtual trek it took to get from la to boston, that title has new meaning to me. </p>
<p>Great report, Sguti40. And what an awful story about the stolen clarinet!</p>
<p>Yes, it is devastating to lose one’s instruments–as all instrumentalists know, they become like your ‘children’. Even if the student is able to get some replacement clarinets somehow, the ones he owned were particularly chosen and set up uniquely–if you put a whole line of the same model clarinets in a row and try them all out, they will each have a different sound. The case would have also included a very specific mouthpiece or two–chosen to be the best fit for the player–and the different varieties of mouthpieces are numerous. Beyond the clarinets, there are further ramifications: I’m not sure of the specifics of this particular case, but most cases also have pockets to include metronomes, tuners, swabs, and reeds specifically worked on and broken in for the auditions. Even more serious, a side pocket could include all the music for the auditions–with all the important markings by teacher and student–and likely even all the piano accompaniments. For many clarinetists the audition season is only about half over. I fervently hope for this young man that his audition season isn’t brought to a halt by this theft–but as you can see it is a huge loss at such an important time. The music world, and of course that of the clarinet world, is very small–and students often run into each other several times during the audition season. So, the heartbreaking loss is resonating through the clarinet community. I’m sure it will result in everyone adding a new level of cautiousness–one can’t even step out to get a drink or use the restroom in places where practice room security is questionable.</p>
<p>Auditioned at CMU today, for viola. There was nothing fancy or grand, just a basic table set up where you check in and got a folder with information inside it. 45 minutes before your audition time, a student from the music school brought you to a reserved warm-up room, and then 10 minutes before your actual time, they came and got you again. It was really helpful and nice!</p>
<p>The audition itself was just with the viola professor, in the Alumni Concert Hall. Because the space is amazing, the sound you get is pretty awesome. Audition times were set in increments of 15 minutes, and mine lasted 13 or 14 minutes. It was informal in that it was comfortable and relaxed, no questions asked. I picked the first piece and then he picked the other two. I had five pieces prepared (Walton concerto, Hindemith sonata, Bach Suite 2 Prelude, Bach Suite 2 Courante, and Kreutzer etude), and I only played the Walton, the Hindemith, and the Bach prelude.</p>
<p>This was a good experience ^^ This was also my only audition, so I’m done, haha. Really excited for results in late March/April 1! Good luck to everyone else who has auditions!</p>
<p>Thanks for the great updates everyone! </p>
<p>So obviously my d has saved all
Except 1 vp audition for this week. So today’s update is from plymouth state university. </p>
<p>We followed the amazing advice of the cc community and brought her clothes to change into!! Thank you cc!!</p>
<p>Fashion report: yeah it was all over the place and no one followed any unwritten rules. It was more like wear whatever you like/is warm day…and to be perfectly honest I thought everyone looked great. One wonderful fellow mom asked if my d was a “fashionista”. To which my d and I both laughed out loud. Her dress and shoes are awesome Ross finds, but I don’t think anyone outside of plymouth would ever confuse her for a fashionista. </p>
<p>D started out with an on-time scheduled rehearsal appointment. Afterwards all students met in the beautiful recital hall where the director for the mtd dept made comments, answered questions and introduced the staff. He also explained that decisions would be coming 3 days post audition.
He then led the students out for a brief theory test while the parents met with the admissions counselor who also made comments and fielded questions.
Nothing too startling from either session EXCEPT that the school boasts a 100% graduate school acceptance rate (some of which are the top graduate programs for vp). </p>
<p>Than there was a very brief 10 minute break and my d was the first vp major to audition. She performed two classical pieces and one musical theatre piece. They video taped the entire process. Immediately afterwards they had a brief informal interview where they asked why she had chosen to audition at plymouth. They spent a good deal of time encouraging her to take a close look at the credentials of the instructors (which she had already done in ad nausea). She already knew that they have backgrounds that include Eastman, USC, julliard and the likes and that their students attend nec, mannes and many more as graduate students.</p>
<p>The amazing thing my d walked away with was how personal the audition was. She said it reminded her of her cmu mt audition (which is famous for being a wonderful experience). My d asked what are the aspects that make a student successful in their program. They stressed that they wanted hardworking students who loved to practice, were competitive in meeting person goals but didn’t have big egos and could support their peers.</p>
<p>Each instructor/professor that spoke really stressed the relationship they have with each and every student, and that’s something I haven’t seen yet. </p>
<p>Other great things, they provided a free parking pass and the students outside the rehearsal hall were complimentary and beyond perfect ladies and gentlemen. </p>
<p>Plymouth may be a hidden gem for vp performance majors. </p>
<p>Tomorrow she has an audition with the Hartt school.</p>
<p>FANTASTIC NEWS!!! The young man’s clarinets were found today–they had been sold to a pawn shop in Rochester! And, they are in good shape–no damage! A good ending to a terrible story! </p>
<p>That’s such great news!</p>
<p>Fantastic news, Clarimom!! There has been an ongoing problem in Rochester with certain “gangs”- their initiation rite has been to steal something unusual (for a long time, computers were the target of choice) and then pass it off to a pawn shop. That’s why I immediately suggested that the young man insist that the pawn shops be notified.
These kids are not the stereotypical gang members so they move in and out of place and don’t attract much notice so the police haven’t been able crack the ring, so it continues. I’m just so glad that this young man has his precious instruments back in his possession.</p>
<p>I was grateful that The Hartt school rescheduled my d audition appointment (which she missed due to inclement weather). I was so impressed by their ability to “make it happen”. </p>
<p>As such there is no fashion report for those auditioning. However, the school was having juries and their males were wearing suits and ties. </p>
<p>Nevertheless my d warmed up, showed her music to the accompanist and performed three pieces, an Italian, a German and a French piece. Afterwards she completed a quick pitch and rhythm test. They had no questions, the panel did not introduce themselves, and they did not allow her to ask questions. </p>
<p>The weather today was horrible (snowed about 6 inches). So we spent the majority of the day “hanging out” on campus. During lunch in the cafeteria, a student shared the story of a fellow female student who had just been arrested outside the cafeteria for brandishing a knife. </p>
<p>We spent @ 4 hours on campus and no other student or instructor even spoke to my d outside of the lady she had the appointment with and the young male student who I helped push his car out of the snow. </p>
<p>All on this coupled with the actual audition left my d with a cold feeling and it wasn’t just the weather. </p>
<p>DH accompanied D to her Peabody audition on Monday. Here’s their summary:</p>
<p>Logistics - Well organized check-in, received packet, signed up for ear training test (theory test was on walk in at any time basis). Lots of students around to answer questions - very friendly. Had a parent lounge, but no place to store suitcase, coats, etc. like many of the other schools D visited. Also did not see any water/snacks. However, they did give lunch vouchers for the cafeteria and they set out cookies and water coolers for a viola performance/meet-and-greet around mid-day.</p>
<p>Meetings/Tours - DH said parents meeting was informative, but acoustics were awful which he found ironic for a music school. Presentation covered Peabody history, links to JHU, curriculum, decision process, financial aid and double degrees. Tours were available but they did not partake since we visited and thoroughly toured previously. They did sit in on the start of orchestra rehearsal in the afternoon. </p>
<p>Audition - Panel was 2 of the 3 faculty in D’s instrument, and they were running ahead of schedule at late morning. Three rooms dedicated to their studio were available for warm-up, with current students around again to answer Qs and put kids at ease. (They also had baked brownies and muffins for the audiotionees!) Audition was about 15 minutes. D played the concerto she had prepared and three excerpts of her choosing from a required list. A little chatting and Q and A with the professors. D was pleased with the process and how she played. She also enjoyed catching up with some of the students she met when visiting last March. </p>
<p>Tests - The Peabody placement tests are well-described on their website. D has not had formal ear training so always finds the ear tests interesting. She described this one as way more interactive than the others she has done and said all the voice kids thought it really easy. D thought the theory test was easy. </p>
<p>Hotel - stayed at Wyndham. Arrived at 2pm and room was not ready until several hours later! Lots of issues with room when they finally got it - missing door to bathroom(!), missing light bulbs, etc. Hotel did comp their breakfast. Loved the convenience to Peabody. </p>
<p>Other - Both D and DH really liked the environment of the day and the engagement with lots of current students. D wore a simple wrap dress, tights, and boots. Received compliments from female professor in the studio and current students, and felt she fit well within wide range of what other auditionees were wearing. All flights home cancelled due to snow in Midwest, so spent an extra night at airport hotel and flew home Tues. At least the cancelled flight wasn’t on the way there!</p>
<p>This is about transportation if it can help anyone.
Rice: Being a big city kid (grew up in one, go to school in one) I’m fairly used to taking train/bus everywhere. I thought why not take the bus between the airport and Rice for only 1ish dollar rather than pay for the cab/Super Shuttle. This was easily the sketchiest situation I’d been in, and again being from a big city I’ve seen a lot and don’t usually care or feel scared, just mind my own business. But that bus was filled with homeless people (some of them seemed rather hostile, or on something, started talking to me) who use the bus as a place to be cozy and warm. I got off, tried to get a shuttle (which is 28 bucks, less if you book it with someone, then its like 17 each, probably even less if you have three people) but it was too late for them to pick me up (3.5 hours before) at this point. I decided I’d rather face my fears than spend almost a hundred dollars on a cab so I took the light rail and the airport bus (which was slightly better). Anyways it seems the best way to get to and from Rice is the Super Shuttle, though these need to be booked much in advance. </p>
<p>Boston: Idk if many people know this but there is a BU bus that goes by Symphony Hall so right near NEC. I needed to get to one of these places very quickly and then go back to the other all in a short amount of time, and this was very helpful. I guess it’s meant for the BU community only probably but there is nobody checking. Also the station that is closest to NEC is Back Bay not South Station.</p>
<p>Soo I had my audition today and I sang an original and another prepared piece and accompanied myself on the piano. After I sightread a vocal passage, I was asked to sightread from the passages for people auditioning on piano…so they liked my piano accompaniment more than my voice? 
(I’ve been playing piano for 12 years)</p>
<p>Is there any possibility at all that they might consider me for a piano major even though I applied for the songwriting major? Can they do that? The guy just seemed a lot more interested in my piano playing than my vocals.</p>
<p>Just spent 2.5 hours dealing with cancelled flights. If it’s not snow, it’s a thunderstorm. D got to the airport, no flights from CLE, so she jumped in the car and burned over to CAK. She will make it to Philadelphia sometime after midnight for her Curtis audition tomorrow. ARGH…</p>
<p>My daughter flew to LA from the East coast for her Colburn audition earlier this week. This was her first audition of the season. I always worry about getting sick on these strenuous trips, but she had been sick the week earlier. Knock wood she stays healthy for the rest of the auditions.I also felt lucky that her flights feel between the winter storms we’ve all been dealing with. </p>
<p>She left her apartment at 5 AM on Wednesday and got to LA in the afternoon, in time to meet her accompanist. One minor snafu is that Google maps told her to walk across a non-pedestrian highway to get to the school from her hotel–! but she managed to figure out a detour and make it on time. The hotel staff later told her about a pedestrian walkway that did not seem obvious to her the first time. The accompanist was great (they usually are) and advised her that the prof would not ask to hear beyond a certain point in the sonata. She had a good time catching up with old friends who attend the school now as well as other friends who were in town for the audition. The weather was splendid-- after the beating we have taken on the East coast all winter, it was like being in a resort. She pointed out that in addition to being a beautiful building, the school has many wonderful details–artwork on the walls, etc.–that demonstrates thoughtfulness and commitment to the students. She said the food in the cafeteria was wonderful.</p>
<p>Next day started bright and early at 8:30 AM with registration followed by the dreaded music history and theory tests. She said they were difficult but she did the best she could. She has finished the theory sequence at her conservatory so may be a bit rusty (but no time to study right now with her frantic schedule.) Her audition was among the last of the day. Surprise! He did not stop her during the sonata. It just goes to show: when folks (including me) say “they never ask for thus-and-such”, don’t listen. But it turned out fine, since the pianist was a pro and they’d rehearsed the first part of the piece. At 5 PM everyone gathered in the main lobby for the one-by-one phone calls for the callback that “doesn’t mean anything”. By some miracle, my daughter and her friends got callbacks, but others were disappointed-- bittersweet. The callback was a brief lesson/interview with the teacher (at the audition it was the teacher plus other members of the faculty.) In the past she’d heard some grousing from friends who attended this school (and have since graduated), but everyone she met who is a current student seemed sunny, positive, and very happy with their education at the school. The school is very tiny, just over 100 students total. </p>
<p>The only wrinkle was that when she returned to the airport, her driver’s license was missing–she must have dropped it on her trip out. After some trouble she managed to get them to accept her student ID plus the evidence of credit cards and a checkbook with her address on it… I wonder what would have happened if she had not taken along the checkbook to pay the accompanist. She took a red-eye home was back at 7 AM, just 50 hours after she left, and in time to start the day. </p>
<p>OMG. I always worry about that airport ID. So glad she was able to talk thru that. I would think LAX would be a very difficult airport to make that happen. I just got the call that D forgot her credit card and how to pay for hotel. HMMMM. Sometimes you wonder.</p>