<p>Thanks to Jason Robert Brown and his "Songs for a New World" for the title of this thread! All those wonderful kids we've been talking about for lo these many months -- our D's and S's or, in the case of the students who post here, all of YOU -- are now finally going off to their MT programs, flying into the next great phase of their lives. I've started a College of Santa Fe thread for anyone who's interested in hearing more about the cool little school where my D has just completed her first VERY HAPPY!!!! week. But beyond that, I thought it would be interesting for us to share in a more general way how things are starting out for everybody at all these far-flung programs. It could be anything: Which MT classes seem immediately, unbelievably great? What are the first noticeable differences in how voice/dance/acting are taught at the college level compared to the old familiar level back home -- which I realize will be different for everyone? Is it scary? Welcoming? Both? Do people in the dorms roll their eyes and slam their doors at the sound of yet more Broadway music? Does the food in the cafeteria support the rigors of MT? Very much looking forward to all your tales!</p>
<p>So glad your d is enjoying her first week! Wow, she started early! Still packing on this end; my d assures me she has everything packed, yet there are only 4 suitcases and some bedding. Ya think she has everything? On further perusal, I noticed she didn't even pack soap! Granted, she can get that kind of stuff when she gets there, but she'll have enough to do. I will be more than happy to let everyone know how she likes it at NYU, but she won't have a computer until next week and unless she actually CALLS me (FAT chance!) I won't know until after Labor Day. (Classes don't start until then, anyway.) I, too, look forward to hearing about EVERYONE'S experiences!</p>
<p>rossji
I am also looking forward to your d and all the others starting their freshman year.</p>
<p>rossji, yes, my D did start very early. I'm not sure why Santa Fe starts so early, but I think she was glad about it. She felt so ready to go, and this way she had all her friends coming over to say goodbye rather than seeing all of them off and still having to cool her heels at home. Her only real disappointment was not being able to be in a production of Carousel that she was supposed to do -- the performances conflicted with her Santa Fe move-in. And believe me, she didn't once say during move-in weekend, "Oh, I wish I could be back home doing Carousel!" Not hardly!</p>
<p>They had auditions last Sunday that served two purposes: one, to get a baseline "read" on the freshmen; and two, to audition them for the first fall production -- a straight play, "Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean." (Yes, CSF is a place where freshmen can perform in all the productions. In fact, they're required to audition for everything.) My D had said she wasn't sure she even wanted a callback -- that she really wanted to focus on her classes right now. As it turned out, the only freshmen who got callbacks were acting rather than MT students. Stands to reason for a straight play.</p>
<p>By the way, she HAS called several times. Granted, the calls have mostly had a money-related hook (big surprise!) -- spent more money on books than expected, can we add x dollars to her account? cell phone's not working well, can she replace it? But it's great to hear her voice in any case, especially sounding as happy as it does.</p>
<p>Eagerly awaiting other reports!!</p>
<p>OK - she's all moved in to her dorm, Brittany, at NYU. The whole process (check-in and getting into the room) took all of 15 minutes. We actually found a FREE nearby parking spot, too! Between the 4 of us, we took all she had in 1 trip. The bad news? One of her 5 roommates (haven't met the other 3 yet) is the most unfriendly girl I have ever met. She said 2 words (literally!) to my d when she moved in. Also, the room is a good size, but UGLY! Was not impressed in the aesthetics at ALL. My d didn't care, though. I didn't stay for the Tisch meeting for the parents; SoozieVT and others, if I missed any impt. info, please fill me in! The only question I had was if the shuttle for NYU goes to the CAP21 studio. I asked 10 people; not one of them knew. So I figure my d can find out on her own! Was a hot day, but not unbearable. I start school tomorrow myself, so I doubt I'll be posting much anytime soon. Hope my d finds a job on campus this week.... please everyone, share your moving in experiences, etc! Artsymom, hope I get as many phone calls as you! :)</p>
<p>rossji,
Free??? lot? Can you give me a clue as to where? I'd love to know. How ever did you find it?
Best of luck to your daughter. My son had never worked so hard or had so much fun as he did last year. Can't wait to hear how all the new NYUers adjust.</p>
<p>Jasmom,</p>
<p>I think she said free SPOT, not lot. We ARE talking about NYC..... And on Sundays there is actually a decent amount of free parking to be found in New York. Patience and cruising are the keys!!</p>
<p>Yes, it was a free SPOT, lol. Which dorm is your son in, if you don't mind my asking? And does he like it? Where was he last year?</p>
<p>rossji, I'm glad the move-in went so smoothly (don't you love those magical moments of easy parking in NYC?) but sorry to hear about the unfriendly-in-the-extreme roommate. Any chance she's just shy? Nervous? What have you heard by now about the others? In my D's case, there was some roommate confusion -- she got no information until move-in day, and was really fretting about that. But her roommate's also MT, and they're doing very well together. Both of them had been afraid that they'd wind up with someone who hated show tunes, so you can imagine the relief! The size of their room's OK, and they have new furniture. The one dorm-related problem so far has been some snafus in getting everyone's Internet up and running.</p>
<p>Guess I just got too excited when I saw the words "free" and "parking" side by side! Thanks for the clarification.
My son was in Goddard. Loved it. Found a passageway to get into the Starbucks below. Next year is in Broome Street. Further away, but he's quite happy about it. He and floormates put together their own "explorations floor" for next year, "Taking a Bite out of the Big Apple" (eating as the theme!).
My son merely co-existed with his rrommate last year, but enjoyed his suitemates and hallmates. Sorry to hear that the first meetings didn't go smoothly for your daughter, rossji. I, too, hope it was just nerves.</p>
<p>That's great that the roommate is also a musical theater person! My d has just one roommate who's in theater (just drama, not musical theater, though) and the other 3 aren't in drama at all. She called my other daughter 3 times today (I was at work!) and said she liked ALL of her roommates. Maybe the other one warmed up.... haven't run into the internet problem yet, only because my d doesn't have her laptop yet! lol. I'm hoping she hooks up with some computer geek who can help her with that. Does your d have a laptop? I know they need a special wireless card, and maybe some other accessory that doesn't necessarily come with the computer; you might have to buy other stuff. I think the best bet is for her to talk with an upperclassman who already has his/her computer up and running and find out what she needs to do; they probably ran into the same problems when they first set up.</p>
<p>Your son is a man after my own heart! An Eating Explorations theme; I LOVE it! Ha ha. If my d ever found a secret passageway to Starbucks from her dorm, she'd be wired for sound 24/7 and there would be NO problem hooking her directly on to the Internet!! Hee hee. Not sure where Broome Street is; is it an off-campus apartment? (Can you tell I'm an NYU newbie???)
My d went to the loft party for 15 minutes; met up with her boyfriend, then left with him. So much for meeting new friends....</p>
<p>I will confess that many things are easier about my daughter leaving for school this year - none of that anxiety about everything being new and unknown. Much more excitement about living in an off campus apartment with two good MT friends, anticipating fall musical auditions which begin on Saturday (Boys From Syracuse and Company), lots of great performance classes (including 3 kinds of dance), a new and highly anticipated voice teacher, and eager to meet the new freshmen (and not BE a new freshman.....)</p>
<p>What isn't easier is the packing, leaving her room/bathroom etc. in some state that is cleanable and trying to convince her that she can't possibly wear all the clothes she wants to bring..... and of course, saying good-bye.</p>
<p>We leave to drive to Ann Arbor at 7 am. We're off to see the wizards......</p>
<p>It is easier the second time around, I have to admit that. At this time last year I was in full meltdown.</p>
<p>Ss wanted to live off campus this year with some buddies they became friends with, but time escaped and other things factored in and we couldn't pull it off. ANYWAY...living on campus this year was a bit of a shock at first...good friends in their class were no longer right there on campus. BUT they have made some good friends with the new freshmen and I am glad for that...and they are too. Anyhow, with the price of gas I am glad it worked out this way.</p>
<p>Only problem....Webster is building new aparments on campus. One Ss room not only butts up right next to jackhammering construction workers who BTW begin work at 5:30 AM sharp...but also borders the railroad tracks!! Needless to say, he isn't sleeping real well....I don't think the "lull" of the train is nearly as bad as those dang jackhammers!!</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>I'm pretty exhausted here but signed on as I was away but won't be online much again in the coming days. I probably would have posted when I got back again, and at that time will be KID-LESS! Then it will REALLY hit me. But I see some accounts of "move in" so I'll add mine....</p>
<p>Took my youngest to NYU/Tisch this past weekend, as some others on here. Went down on Saturday to NYC (it is a six hour drive from here). Car was loaded to the hilt and then some, with more on top. We had to leave on my other D's 19th birthday so we had to squeeze in that celebration as well. She stayed back home (no room for her in the car, lol). Took parting picture of the four of us. Got in the car and D's cute lamp shade she had bought that has beads hanging off the bottom rim was on front seat...no place for it and so she puts it on her head like a hat and it was pretty funny (helped me keep from crying) and so we took a picture of that ;-). Had all her goodbyes with local friends, which is different than for some of your kids because her local friends are about to enter senior year as she normally would be as well and so it was not like any of them were leaving (but a few older friends). Her close theater friends (mostly from out of state) are all older than herself and that is a peer group she is very bonded with socially. </p>
<p>We knew the NYU move in day would be crazy and it did live up to that expectation. Got to Third Avenue North (apt. style dorms) at 9:15 AM and hubby dropped me and D off and kept driving around the block for about an hour until a drop off slot for the car opened up (and when it did, it was right near the entrance). The line to check in was already winding down the block and in fact, that line took us 90 minutes until she was able to get her key. This might sound terrible (compared to what RossJi wrote about their dorm), but let me say as the day wore on, it was even much longer. It really was a sight to be hold. There were huge piles of kids' lives stacked up along the sidewalk for the block. My D's roomie whom she knows from our state through theater over the years, came soon after and joined us in the line with her mom as her dad dealt with their car. My hubby was able to pull up for his 15 min. allottment of curb time and unloaded everything on the sidewalk and I had to stay with it. He actually was able to get a metered spot about a block away for the rest of the day. </p>
<p>Once they got into the dorm, they were able to borrow one of the big moving bins/carts but only for 30 min. allotment. That might sound like plenty but then the line to use the elevators were very long too (but MUCH worse in the afternoon, winding around the block). Not sure why RossJi's was not like this but maybe cause this dorm has 1000 kids and maybe her D's does not. They were able to make two full bin trips up the elevator before having to return the bin. But my hubby had rented a two wheeler back home and used that and then luckily my D is only on the second floor of her tower and so they took smaller things up the stairs on many trips. I finally made it into the building by noon. </p>
<p>The bedroom is small but I knew this was a possibility. It is made up by the fact that they have an apartment so there are two bedrooms of two girls each (my D knows her bedroom roomie and met the other two girls who share a second bedroom....had spoken online before moving in; seemed nice....one is in Tisch for film and one is in GSP) and then they have a common/living room equipped with table and four chairs, sofa, shelving/TV type unit, plus a kitchen and a private bathroom (two sinks in one half and toilet/tub/shower in other closed half). So, that helped feel like much more space than simply a small bedroom. We knew it was a possibility that they might have built in drawers under the bed and they did which meant that all the under the bed storage units bought had to go back home and then find places for all their stuff. But we somehow did. Both girls had a lot of stuff but they and both sets of parents set the room up and when it was done, it looked really nice I think and they were full of excitement. It was very HOT and my husband did not discover until the end of the day that their AC was not turned on and that it is controlled within your own unit. So, now it's good but not when WE were in there! My D had brought a piano/keyboard and it fit in their living room luckily as it never would have in the bedroom. They had their kitchen fully set up as they had each brought various things for it (my D had shopped in our state with her roomie and then another girl bought other stuff). </p>
<p>I had to go with my D to a bank (the only one open on Sunday....though I couldn't believe any bank was but I found this all out ahead of time) to set an account up for her (because she is sixteen and has to do it with a parent). It was kinda a mess that I won't get into and not great but we have worked it all out. That took a while. The walk to the bank...I could just tell my D could not believe she was going to be living in NYC after years of dreaming this. My hubby was back at the room hanging things up and setting up electronics and internet and all that dad stuff (with the other dad!). By the time we got back, the girls had to go to their first Tisch thing at 5 PM and so they were in such a hurry at that point, that the goodbye was short and sweet.....which on my end, is probably a good thing because I really cry if I think about this. They were two giddy girls off to live on their own (the blind leading the blind in NYC....they both grew up in the country). My D thanked us for giving her this opportunity and how lucky she was to have it (my other D said the same thing when we said goodbye to her last year, her freshman year).</p>
<p>My D knows about a dozen kids at Tisch and about a half dozen entering ones as well, and a couple in NYC to attend school too. So, kids were stopping by the room and so forth. I know being let loose in NYC even with the kids she already knows was a big treat and of course, the meeting of lots of new friends too. Then my hubby and I got some dinner on her block (there is so much on every block in NYC! and also there is a Loews complex across from her dorm) and we ran into her roomies and their parents at dinner (our D was at a Tisch event by then). We got home very late last night. </p>
<p>I always fret that this particular D won't call but she actually did this morning. Last night was the Tisch welcome event and she said it was very upbeat.....along the lines of "we have been waiting for you to arrive and are so excited for you to be here" and that the Tisch kids were all cheering and so forth and she contrasted this to a first day assembly at high school where nobody cares and said "this was different...everyone was so happy to be here!" and then she had a dorm floor meeting....and then she had a meeting with her mentor and a group of seven girls (one other was in CAP) and they had dinner out and then went to the Freshman Loft Party where she met up with her friends. She said there were great views of the Empire State Building. She went on to a party for her dorm in this big courtyard at her dorm...some Luau Party and then hung with friends. They have orientation all week, lots of events and happenings. She has next weekend off. Then classes begin next Tuesday, starting with "auditions" at CAP21. </p>
<p>It's hard to believe all this is happening after the anticipation throughout the college process and auditions, but also dreaming of it for years. She waited for this day and it is here. And for my D's past six months, after coming so close to having it all end due to her car crash and to get accepted while in a hospital bed and wondering if she would ever do this all again, and to be recovered in time to be here, is even more thrilling. </p>
<p>For me, it hasn't hit me but when I think about it, it is really hard as a mom but I know I will get used to it, because I went through it last year with my oldest daughter. I'm happy for my girls to be doing what they worked hard for and all that will come for them now....new adventures, exciting times, and so forth. But after all these years, it is tough to have them leave for good basically. And it is hard to even think about them being on their own (though I do get used to it but at first it is a shock to the system) and not under my supervision any longer. For this particular child, it came sooner than most, because she is still 16 and then it is hard for me to fathom her in a city which is an enormous contrast to the environment in which she grew up. It is where she wants to be and I'm sure will figure it out. </p>
<p>One reason it has not had its total effect on me is that I have come home for just two days and am shopping, gathering and packing up with my other D and leave on Wed. for her move in day at Brown on Thursday. THEN when I come home, bam, that is it! </p>
<p>Hopefully, I can relate second hand some experiences with her program and hope that others will as well in due time. Maybe at some point, I can get her to post here herself and tell about it! </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>Aww congrats Susan! Im sure your D. will love it at NYU. Mabye she will run into an Olsen twin lol j/k. I can imagine that she feels amazed by NYC , coming form the country its like wowwwww! Its diffrent for me because I ahve lived here all my life ( and want to get out but thats a story for another day). If you/she evre need any tips, resturants anything I can help.</p>
<p>Susan...
It's so hard to believe just a year ago we were fretting over the audition trail! It sure went quickly! BEST of luck to your daughter, I'm sure she'll soar. Today is packing day for us....we're off to Ann Arbor tomorrow!</p>
<p>soozievt, you said: "My D thanked us for giving her this opportunity and how lucky she was to have it." My D did the same. I loved that moment for two reasons: one, it emphasized her happiness at being where she is; and two, it emphasized her understanding that -- though she's the one with the talent and the passion, and she's the one who's going to do all the work -- she didn't arrive at this wonderful new place all by herself! </p>
<p>I haven't been nearly as melancholy as I expected. Partly it's the easy cell phone contact. But mostly, I think, it's because of what a wise friend said. She's the mom of my D's best friend, who's now a music sophomore at Indiana. She expected to be a total mess when she had to leave him there last year. But instead, she said, "He was so happy that I couldn't help but be happy." That's what I'm finding, too. My D's so pleased with her location, the people she's meeting, her classes and the feedback she's getting from teachers -- it's infectious!</p>
<p>Soozievt - Congrats on getting all unpacked and feeling she is in a good place as well as to all of you dropping your kids off now. I just got back from Boston Conservatory and I will write all about it as soon as I recover. So much has been said in the past as to how the kids all seem to end up where they belong. This is certainly true for my D. It is the perfect place for her. </p>
<p>The theme for orientation was "Welcome home" and they certainly made them feel welcome. Since it is such a small school, it is like a home away from home. The kids are so outgoing and friendly. They had orientation for the kids and parents for 2 days. Some meetings were with the kids and some just with the parents. </p>
<p>The dorms are in old historic brownstone buildings. These are not your typical dorm. Every room is different and pretty incredible. My D is in a triple and her room is pretty large. It has a walk in closet that the 3 girls managed to fill up! It has a fake fireplace that was obviously there from way back in the day (these are old houses). My D's bed is situated such that she can use the mantle as a place for alarm clock, pictures, etc. There is no AC, but move in day on Sunday wasn't too bad. They say it will cool down in a few weeks. All 3 girls brought fans which were definitely necessary. In addition to her dresser, she was able to fit in an additional dresser made out of the storage drawers that stack as well as plenty of underbed storage room which is where we left her a large suitcase, etc. There is a bathroom right outside her room. Her roommates are a voice major and a dance major and both are super. All 3 have curly hair so the room is filled with massive amounts of hair gel! They were sent each other's e-mail before so they all talked on line before arrival. In fact the voice major who lives 45 minutes away bought our D a ticket to see Idina Menzel in a hotel in Cambridge doing a jazz type show on Saturday night - what a treat. We had drinks with her parents while they were in the show. Really nice people. They opened their home to our D and offered to store her winter stuff (which we don't even have yet) which really made us feel great since we are across the country. </p>
<p>We arrived on Thursday night for a Sunday move in. We had shopped and registered in L.A. at Bed Bath and Beyond and they had it ready at the BB&B close to BoCo. This saved a lot of time, but we still spent most of Friday and Saturday there as well as Best Buy, CVS (for toiletries), etc. Sunday we moved in from 7 am to 12 pm then they had a luncheon for the parents with speeches, etc. while they took the kids to the Northeaster cafeteria which is where they will be eatig. We sat with JerryLaurie whom we met up with at the Emerson audition last Dec. and whose son went to CMU last summer with our D) as well as her roommates parents. </p>
<p>They had the rest of that day as well as Monday taking the kids to different events while we had meetings with different dept. chairs, deans, etc. It was all very informative and I felt I was leaving her in good, no great, hands. On Monday this all culminated with current students from all majors giving very funny skits for parents and students to get info on the school such as who to go to for medical advice, roommate problems (like if you are rooming with a tuba major who practices in the dorm room instead of a practice room), etc. It was hysterical and informing. </p>
<p>Today she has piano placement and tap placement. Next she will have music theory placement as well as the rest of the dance placements. She has her core group which consists of about 12 students and they take all of their classes together. She is thrilled with her core group of students. </p>
<p>I now have an empty nest. So far it's ok. It may be because I am quite exhausted and maybe it will hit me next week. Maybe because I have been through this before. Maybe because she calls me all of the time. Maybe because I get to go to Boston several times a year now and I just love that city! Excellent restaurants as you probably all know. Maybe because I cried my eyes out when leaving her. Maybe because I know she is in a great place and is so happy. She was so ready to go and start her new life. </p>
<p>What a hectic year this last year was and what a great way to end that year and start a new life. I feel complete and that I have done my job as a parent to get my kids started. Whew!</p>
<p>It's so wonderful to hear your "move in" stories. My D's friend is starting Cap 21 this fall as well (can't remember which dorm she is in....she has also been a poster on cc in the past) and my D is flying to NYC today and will be taking the NYU tour around with her, seeing some shows, etc. She is more excited than I can tell you. I know she cannot wait for the day she will be off to college to pursue her dreams... she only is a junior though this year. I, on the other hand will miss her terribly. I hope all of you moms who just had a child leave for college are doing well! Much success to all the cc kids!</p>