Things I Wished I Knew Three Years Ago

College Majors Music Major
21

<p>A lot of valuable advice, especially performing the rep in public as much as possible and especially about getting outside opinions and such. My W and I had basically no knowledge of the music world as our S progressed and started thinking he wanted to focus on music, and we learned there are many worlds in music and they often bear little resemblance to each other. When our S switched teachers to his current one, it was like being in Alice in Wonderland and seeing the difference between that and what we thought reality was, and it is quite humbling. </p>

<p>One general rule of thumb is to assume that no matter how good a music student is, there are likely to be a more then a few students who are as good or better then they are, and that being ‘top of the heap’ in some environment may mean average or worse in another,this is especially true when a big fish in a small pond. Getting other opinions, by people who are knowledgeable about what is out there these days (teachers at high level music programs, teachers with a track record of getting students into those programs) is thus valuable because it could be the current teacher simply doesn’t know. </p>

<p>Another thing I have learned is you never have enough information and to validate anything you hear or are told. A lot of well meaning people say things (including here on CC) that are perceptions or might not be the whole truth, it is always worth trying to validate what people say to see if there is more to the story.</p>

22

<p>I agree with everything that has been said and will stress a few items that we experienced as particularly important:</p>

<p>1) Summer programs. Mater is correct, choose wisely. My D turned down a more prestigious summer program to be able to study with a professor that is well-known on her instrument. We knew he would have connections at other universities, and I am certain this helped her get to where she is now.</p>

<p>2) Don’t wait too long to change teachers and go for the best teacher possible.</p>

<p>3) Do not even think about blowing off the SAT/ACT’s, especially if you are considering places like University of Southern California, Northwestern, and now more than ever, the University of Michigan. You might get in without good grades and test scores but it sure helps, and can mean more scholarship money.</p>

<p>4) On your campus visits, get to know the faces in the Admissions Office. Get the best phone numbers to call. Find out when is the best time to call. </p>

<p>5) Verify that everything you send has been received, even items sent electronically. My D’s ACT scores were lost in a giant data base at one university. The person answering the phone was not capable of figuring this out. After a few phone calls and some investigating, I found the right person to help me. </p>

<p>6) We took the advice of finding lodging within walking distance of D’s auditions, whenever possible. This may require calling 6 months in advance for reservations. We had tentative audition dates based on prior year’s dates. I made sure D got her applications in very early, so she could have first choice of her audition dates.</p>

<p>7) Start the essays early. They are a pain in the neck. It seemed that each school had one large essay and one or two smaller ones. For the “Why do you want to come to Podunk U” questions, include specifics you may have learned on a campus visit.</p>

<p>8) If you send in a recorded audition or do a regional, be prepared for a “surprise” phone call from faculty at that university. Sound enthusiastic and interested!</p>

<p>9) Get the flu shot and travel with cold and flu medications, and pain relievers. Use plenty of hand gel. If you are staying somewhere without a restaurant, bring salt, which is useful for gargling.</p>

<p>10) During your audition, always start with your strongest work, if given a choice. There may not be time to get to all your material.</p>

<p>11) You might wish to find out about repair people at your audition places, before going out there, in case of an instrument malfunction.</p>

<p>12) It is a very stressful time, but you will get through it! No matter what happens, things have a way of working out in the end.</p>