Tell Us About Audition Day 2015

College Majors Music Major
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Univ of North Texas School of Music

UNT did a really good job today. The morning started with sign-in as early as 7am, and an info session at 8:15 that was attended by about 150 people. That session includes an operatic duet performed by two students, with a student pianist, followed by an overview by the Dean of the history of the school and its relative advantages and what to look for in a music program.

The school had a nice continental breakfast laid out in the “The Commons,” the central interior area of the Music Building. Sign-in was efficient, with pre-printed name tags and agenda for the day. We had access to that info through the online account a few weeks earlier, and they sent the overall agenda of events by email earlier in the week. We had a gap from 9am to 10:45, and used that time to visit several tables that were set up covering housing, career center, etc. A lot of staff and student volunteers were available, and we got into a discussion with one of the students about opportunities to sing with the Ft. Worth Opera chorus and outreach program.

The two practice room buildings across the street were open for those auditioning, and my daughter was also able to work with her accompanist in a classroom adjacent to the audition room prior to her time. This is not the norm; most vocalists meet their accompanist a few minutes before they sing. But since we are local, we hired the same accompanist who had done her pre-screen videos, who is a graduate student at UNT.

Other activities during the day included:

  • Info session on freshman orientation and financial aid
  • On-demand tours of Bruce Hall, home to the Music REAL Community and with dozens of practice rooms in the basement
  • Tours of the Murchison Performing Arts Center
  • General campus tours (this is a big campus, with 34,000 students, but the music area is fairly compact)

Dr. Stephen F. Austin, the director of the vocal program (not sure if he’s related to the founder of the Republic of Texas), made an effort to meet each family and student prior to their audition. As my D’s was right after lunch, we probably had a bit more time with Dr. Austin than most.

The vocal audition consisted of 2 pieces in different languages. This was followed by a sight signing exercise in another room, which was actually quite challenging. There is no theory test.

For those of you who are doing the final UNT audition day in two weeks - please note that you are part of a large crowd. Over 500 students are auditioning that day. There is a lot of construction on campus and the main parking garage is about 4 blocks away. You can drop the student off in front of the music building and then go park. Also, construction on I-35 can make it a challenge to get to Denton. This weekend the interstate was closed for demolition of the Corinth Parkway overpass just south of town. Thankfully we didn’t come that way.

Next up: Oberlin regional in Houston on Tuesday.

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Thanks for your description of the UNT audition day @FriscoFred. My S did the summer jazz combo workshop there last summer and really liked it. UNT was his second choice after the school he auditioned ED for. Everyone there was exceptionally nice.

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I agree with you momsings. I have found the unt strings department to be exceptionally nice and helpful too. Also, one of the most organised and informative. While I agree your teacher is the most important, it is helpful to find out about how the music school does things as well. It was informative hearing about music theory expectations and degree requirements. Every school does it a little different and it’s nice to know the differences.

Also, because of road construction my phone GPS did not work well on the unt campus. And to make things easier, buy your parking pass online. I wish I would have. It took me 30 minutes to find the parking garage because of my fone, so leave early.

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@faithciavarella - Hi there. About Syracuse and Temple - I think we may have met you that weekend because I remember talking to someone at Temple on Monday who had also been at Syracuse. Yes, she did get into Boyer. She was checking her TUportal account for any financial aid forms that needed to be submitted and found her acceptance notice. This was her first official acceptance for music, and she is thrilled. Congratulations to you as well. I hope the rest of your auditions turn out as good.

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This weekend my D auditioned at Oberlin and Carnegie Mellon for VP-UG.

Oberlin - Long drive out to Ohio but at least the weather was good. We stayed in Elyria at a Hampton Inn. It was about 20 minutes to campus but worth the drive. Friday afternoon they had registration and an info session with a short recital-piano, violin and tenor, which was followed by a reception to mingle with the faculty for each department. Afterwards there were breakout sessions for a Q&A with the voice faculty. They were very approachable and really tried to meet each prospective student. We went to a performance of a musical (winter term project of a group of students) and it was phenomenal. The audition was Saturday morning. Coffee, tea, donuts and bagels were provided for refreshments. Financial q&a, music tour and campus tour also offered that day. Warm up rooms were available during the day, and she was also able to run through her music with the accompanist before her audition (never got that opportunity before!) The audition was in a recital hall, all faculty present. She sang both of her pieces and then they asked a few questions. No sight reading and their music theory exam is done online. Afterwards, we met one of my daughters friends who is currently a sophomore (nonmusic) for coffee and had a long chat about the school (invaluable). Then we traveled to Pittsburg (2hrs).

Carnegie Mellon - We stayed in a Springhill Suites (Marriott) near campus. We had visited before so were familiar with the area. We attended an Open House for both the University and the Music School last fall. We had participated in a sample eurhythmics’ class which was quite interesting, student panel and info session, so we already knew much about the school. Her audition was Sunday morning and check-in was an hour before scheduled time. She was taken to a warm up room and then waited outside with a current student with whom she talked about CMU until she went in. Again, the audition room was a recital hall, all faculty present. She had to prepare three songs, and she picked the first, they picked the second. No sight singing (what a great weekend!) and no theory test for this one either. She said the faculty seemed very nice and paid close attention while she was singing. They asked some questions about what was on her resume and that was it. A tour of the music building and general campus tour were also offered. Afterwards there was a q&a with admissions director. She had been lukewarm about the campus and school but after seeing it buzzing with activity and meeting some of the students she left with a very positive feeling. Then, of course, there was the long drive home.

This weekend we are off to Boston University and University of Hartford (Hartt ) and it is looking like another snowstorm for New England. If anyone has any suggestions on dealing with the snow in Boston they would be greatly appreciated. We will be driving but could take the train from New York. The only issue would be then getting to Hartt the next day. Glad I have an SUV with 4WD.

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I forgot to add that CMU also had a table of free refreshments available in their Zebra Café (very cool space).

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One thing I loved about Oberlin (we toured April 2014) was how wonderful they are to their bass students. Bassists get their own private practice rooms. (At least that’s what I remember from the tour). :smiley:

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BE WARNED: Boston is a disaster. A serious disaster. Don’t plan on having clear sidewalks, parking (unless you pay) and forget about counting on the MBTA (which completely shut down yesterday). I would definitely drive because otherwise you might not get here. I would be prepared to spend quite a lot of money to park your car. I would stay as close to the University as possible and hope that the hotel has valet parking. I would leave tons and tons and tons of extra time to get anywhere if you are traveling by car during the following times 7-9:30am and 4-7:30pm. I would not assume that just because google maps says it is a 10 minute drive that it is. More likely it is a 40 minute drive.

Walking in Boston is the only dependable transportation and if you do that bring Bogs or some shoe that can deal with 2 inch deep puddles at the crosswalks.

Just to give you an idea of how bad it is after the first storm there was a day when the average commuter who has a 15- 10 minute commute ended up having a 2.5 hour commute. I personally sat on a bus for a ride that should have taken 15 minutes at most for 1.5 hours!!!

Maybe bring some snowshoes…only kidding. The snow is not so bad…it is the fact that the city’s infrastructure can not handle it at all!!!

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It’s always something. When D3 was auditioning, Baltimore had had something like 3 years worth of snow in 6 weeks, we arrived in one city on Valentines weekend and the only place we could have dinner was the local IHOP, we drove through conditions that my mail carrier doesn’t deliver in… and she ended up at a school less than an hour from home after all that!

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Thanks for the warning @StacJip. We are staying at the Residence Inn by Fenway. They have valet parking. It is going to be frigid with negative wind chills. I was thinking of taking a cab to BU but now I’m not sure, as that may be as bad as driving my own car. I called the concierge today to make sure the parking situation would be OK. He said it is a 15 minute walk, which would be OK in good weather, not in a dress under these conditions. The T is supposed to be up and running by the end of today but more snow is forecast.

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Why not wear something warm and change into the audition dress there? My D still does this all the time.

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Thanks musicamusica. That is a great suggestion but my daughter has resisted that idea in some other very cold locations as well. Those stubborn teenagers :frowning:

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oh yeah…been there too. [-(

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The year my daughter auditioned for undergrad, 2010, we had a blizzard before every one of her auditions. But this year is even worse in some parts, especially New England. Good luck to all!

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And for all of you auditioning at Chapman, Ucla, or Usc, be sure and bring your sunscreen. It will be 84 degrees today. 8->

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Thanks for sharing @musicamusica… off to Michigan :blush:

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I’m in Boston every week @intune and I’d probably take a cab to the BU audition. I think it’s the least stressful option. Best of luck! (we’re driving down to Hartt early Friday)

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on the other hand, Major Gridlock in Boston today . . .not sure if Comm Ave is quite as bad.

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@drummergirl - we’re just supposed to get a dusting Thursday night into Friday morning in CT. But today, everything is melting, so there will probably be some ice out there, too, so be careful driving!

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All of these posts about Boston are making us nervous. NEC audition coming up next week. Had planned on staying in a hotel about 1.5 miles from NEC, but now think staying at the Colonnade Hotel might be a wiser choice, as this is much closer to NEC.

The hotel reservationist there said that right now, he would advise taking a taxi to NEC, as the sidewalks are not really walkable. We called NEC, and admissions said the sidewalks were passable. Not sure who we should believe! NEC did say that parking is a problem; the lot for faculty is currently not plowed out, so faculty are scrambling to park elsewhere. Which probably means there are many fewer parking choices available for visitors, like us.

Anyone have advice on this? Thanks!