Visits and lessons

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>Alright wise parents and veterans to the process,</p>

<p>I am planning to take S to visit two of his top school choices over February break (which is post audition period...I checked!).</p>

<p>I am flummoxed as to how to set this up, since the trip will involve a triangle air trip. Does he call or email to get the visits set up first, or set up the air part first? Is this too early to call, since obviously schedules change? All I know is the difficulty we had setting up anything at all at Peabody last spring, and that was a driving trip, less tied to the vagaries of individual schedules.</p>

<p>Basically, I don't want to book flights, and then have no one or a limited selection (he is still considering two instruments, and would like the feedback from the teachers) available to see him. He also wants to sit in on classes and ensembles.</p>

<p>Question is when is the time to do this... book flights and take the chance that there are the folks he wants to see available, or do it the other way around and risk not getting flights?</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>

2

<p>Contact the teachers first. Then the school. Then the airline.</p>

<p>D just did this last week. She contacted the violin professor at a school she's interested in. Sent her an email, explaining that she'd like to visit the school and talk with the teacher, maybe get a lesson. Offered two different days she'd be able to come. Asked how much it would cost for a lesson, etc.</p>

<p>Teacher wrote back saying she didn't work Mondays, so the other day would work better. Said she'd like to meet and talk, but wouldn't have time for a lesson. Offered a few times. Also told us that if we came on Tuesday, we could attend the orchestra rehearsal.</p>

<p>Then we checked with the school for tour times, info sessions available that day, and signed up for one. Once we got the confirmation, she contacted the teacher again to finalize a time.</p>

<p>We made the mistake of scheduling one visit for S over spring break - buying tickets before we contacted the teacher, and teacher wasn't available. Since so many music teachers teach at more than one school, and/or perform, and of course have their regular lessons with students, they really may be available on a limited basis. So check with them first.</p>

3

<p>Thanks, Binx. Iss your daughter planning a spring visit? I am just wondering how many teachers would be willing to book in their schedules for late February when it isn't even quite October. I want to make sure he does it neither too early nor too late.</p>

4

<p>We were always told dont plan visits or lessons in Winter months like Jan-April because they are too busy. Visit in Fall or spring as in pre mid December or after May 1. </p>

<p>Maybe they overstated the importance to us and February would be ok. But isnt that right in the middle of auditions?</p>

5

<p>Yes, contact the teachers first, espeically on a triangle trip. They are used to this and once they've committed to a date and time, they are very, very good at sticking to that appointment, especially if they understand you are flying in.</p>

<p>Once you've got the lessons lined up, then do the airline thing. I always contacted the school last and, if we couldn't hook into a "normal," scheduled tour, most schools are very flexible in setting up individual tours if needed. There are some exceptions to this so check, but given the choice between being able to have a meeting and lesson with a teacher and getting the 1 hour walkabout, there's not much choice. If the lesson goes well and you're seriously interested, you'll be back and can get the tour later...</p>

<p>Here's a little known fact, at least on United. If you used miles to get your tickets, those tickets are VERY flexible. At this moment, and I added that because the flying rules always change, if you need to change flights and they have seats available, it's just a swap with no rebooking fees, etc. I found these very useful at times, like finding out if we came in the night before the lesson we could attend a nice concert...</p>

<p>Good luck and I hope that all the planets align. Getting the alignment of child's schedule, audition schedule, prof's schedule AND institution's winter break schedule worked out so you can do a February lesson/visit is definitely a graduate-level school visit project... Hopefully you're not traveling somewhere warm since you'll have to add very expensive and scarce airline tickets to the mix. For these reasons, most of us shy away from the February thing. We were lucky as D had a "Spring Break" and no "February Break" and we were traveling from cold climes to cold climes...</p>

<p>Zep</p>

6

<p>I would first do a quick check to see if any of the schools have the same week off in February that your son has. While you might be able to get a sample lesson that week, it is a lot better to visit while school is in session. If any of them are on break that week, you might conside visiting that particular school on the Monday after the break week, if your son can afford to miss a day at high school. Avoid the Friday before break because most people will be gone by then anyway.</p>

<p>Next, call or email the teachers as soon as possible. When you contact them, ask about other events that may be going on, such as department recitals and concerts. If you can schedule something around one of those, so much the better. Avoid asking for sample lessons during audition periods and for at least a week after the last audition date (because they will likely be busy making decisions then.) If the school has more than one teacher on your son's intended instrument(s), do not be shy about asking each of them for a sample lesson. Teachers have been know to give sample lessons away from campus if they live or perform elsewhere. Ask about this possibility and consider whether it might be possible to do a sample lesson on a different trip from the campus visit. If you are really lucky, the teacher may be performing near where you live in the next few months and you may be able to schedule a lesson while they are in town.</p>

<p>If the flights are likely to be busy, then arranging them would be the next job. If you are headed toward a less popular destination in February, you might want to talk to the schools first before finalizing your flight schedule.</p>

<p>Our daughter's high school generally gets a week off in early April, so we used the one in her junior year for some visits/sample lessons and the one in her senior year to make a return visit to a school that had accepted her. </p>

<p>Good luck, scheduling everything is one of the most difficult parts of the process.</p>

7

<p>Is it appropriate to ask for a sample lesson when they are off campus? Like at a fair, giving a masterclass, a concert, teaching a summer camp, or other event?</p>

8

<p>I'd ask. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...</p>

9

<p>If the schools are auditioning in mid February, and we have vacation a week later (they will have concluded a full week before we are planning to go), would that still be too close? </p>

<p>Son expects to ask for lessons from two teachers on one instrument and one on the other. What's the likelihood of coordinating that? LOL!</p>

<p>I'm thinking how much easier it would be if he just wanted to be a math major, which was his original thought, back many years ago....!</p>

10

<p>As Zep says, it never hurts to ask (politely). Believe me, the teachers are quite used to getting requests for sample lessons and they know how to say no if their scedule is already too full.</p>

<p>Coordinating with three teachers may be a challenge, but should be possible if you can spend a couple of days in the area.</p>

<p>The etiquette is a little different if you are in a situation where you have paid a fee to a third party, e.g. a summer camp, workshop or masterclass not run directly by the teacher. In that case, you would do best to get the teacher's phone number or email address and contact them separately away from the event. If it is a free event or one being run directly by the teacher, then there is no problem in asking for a sample lesson.</p>

11

<p>Dont know how you parents or your kids lived through this. I dont know how we can get through the next 18 months or so and remain sane or feel like you didnt just make a huge mistake or 12.</p>

<p>The more I learn from all of you the impossible the task seems. You guys are just way better than I ever will be.</p>

12

<p>My son's school has a week off in October for college visits (for seniors only); we managed to arrange lessons with possible teachers at three conservatory programs. It turned out that 2 of the programs also had special admissions events that week -- perhaps this is becoming a common trend, i.e., for schools to allow for travel that week and colleges/conservatories to arrange for programs during that week, or perhaps it was simply a coincidence...In any event, he arranged the lessons (one at a time, to minimize conflicts) and then we booked the flights. We'll see how it goes.</p>

13

<p>Allmusic - D's visit is in November. She isn't a music major (she wants to minor), so she's not going to need to audition to most of her schools. There will be a couple auditions for scholarships. We're visiting schools this fall, trying to narrow down her list, and get a feel for what's available to a minor. (And hoping she'll get a nudge in the admissions dept from the music dept.) We were not successful at all in scheduling winter lessons with anybody with S, so we didn't even try with D. Every single trial lesson he had was in the summer.</p>

<p>Flutemom - S went to a conference summer before senior year, and asked several folks there for lessons. Some were able to work him in, others weren't. If you know ahead of time that they're going to be somewhere, send them an email and ask - if they only have a bit of room, you'll be first in line.</p>

14

<p>FluteMom, I am with you. I find this whole process uberdaunting, and both my son and I are very organized. There just seem to be so many possible glitches....</p>

<p>Your daughter is only a junior though, right? We can commiserate right through spring next year together! I am sure I will need both the company and the moral support. I have only one local friend with a child going this route.</p>

15

<p>First, you're lucky to have found a place like this so you know what to expect. Some of us, including yours truly, sallied forth without this knowledge beforehand and made it in spite of our bumbling.</p>

<p>The key operative words are planning, organization and PRACTICE for the process.</p>

<p>**Step 1: Where do I want to apply? **Get your answers from internet searches, private instructor(s) feedback, band/orchestra director(s) feedback, HS alumni feedback, youth symphony/band alumni feedback, summer program classmate/alumni feedback, etc. This step is right about NOW for you Juniors. At this point in the process, we had 8 - 10 schools on "the list."</p>

<p>Step 2: Visit as many schools on "the list" as possible and have lessons. This is the winter/spring junior year project. For the visit lessons, find the one or two common audition requirement piece(s) for all the schools and be prepared to play it. You don't need to perfect it, just play it. Also bring other pieces that you're working on. Don't forget that this is NOT an audition for you! It is a fact finding trip for you in that you need to determine if you can work with this teacher. As a matter of fact, look at it as AN AUDITION FOR THE PROFESSOR! If you don't hit it off, you're not going to "accept" this prof by applying to his/her institution!</p>

<p>**Step 3: Based on Step 2, make up "the application list" and apply EARLY, like September, to all the schools so you get your choice of audition dates. **Of course, as part of the application process, you've outlined you're intended audition date choices and you are PRACTICING LIKE CRAZY!!! If you're unsure about a place and can swing it, go back for a second visit.</p>

<p>**Step 4: Audition as best you can! **That may mean things like, "Mom you can't come because you make me too nervous so Dad's taking me!" Whatever it takes to ensure the best audition. This is the part of the process where the nerves start getting frayed, but, believe it or not, the musician is probably less prone to nerves than the parent. They've already been auditioning for 7 or more years so they're used to it. We applied and auditioned at 5 schools. I didn't work an entire 5 day week for the whole month of February and the first week of March. Thank goodness my boss is understanding and I was comparing notes with my boss's boss who was going through the same thing with his bass playing son!</p>

<p>**Step 5: The agonizing wait for acceptances. **We didn't get our last one until after April 1st and we needed all the info to make a final choice. I think the mail carrier thought we were insane they way one of us would hover around the mailbox in the afternoon!</p>

<p>**Step 6: Make your choice! **Hopefully it will be a matter of selecting and not settling. </p>

<p>**Step 6a: Figure out how you're going to pay! **Colleague of mine with 2 in college also just said to me, "Do you realize I'm paying $1000 per week in tuition?" For the first time, I figured out my WEEKLY tuition bill for my 2 children and it was over that number. What a sobering and depressing thought!!! Of course we're organized music parents so we've socked away the $ for years now...</p>

<p>**Step 7: Parents only - Crack open that bottle of champagne, make that Cold Duck since we've got tuition bills!! **Hopefully there's only one musician in the family so you're done forever. If that's not the case, it's still OK because now you know the system! </p>

<p>Seems that you have to learn a huge amount of info in a short time for only 1 specfic type of college application. That's probably why folks like me post here to help others get through it. It will all be worth it when you get an IM like I got today from D who's celebrating her 1st month anniversary at a conservatory.</p>

<p>Me: So, level with me. Are you enjoying it?</p>

<p>D: Two thumbs up! It's better than I dreamed!</p>

<p>And that folks is what it's all about!!!</p>

<p>OK, I've ranted enough. Once again FluteMomLiz and Allmusic, you and your children will get through it. We all have.</p>

<p>Zep</p>

16

<p>Yes Allmusic, we have another year plus of this to live through. I hope to stick around here and find out as much as I can to make it through. The experienced ones that have done it better stick around and keep helping us.</p>

<p>Thanks Binx and Zep I appreciate the confidence but I am overwhelmed and can not help but think I will screw something up for my daughter and she won't get into the right program because of me.</p>

17

<p>Don't think negatively Flute. And ultimately, getting into school is your daughter's responsibility. We music parents have to provide much more help and support than if they were applying to a regular school, but she should be doing as much of it as possible. And when you start laying things out, you will find that most schools want most of the same things - a completed application, letters of recommendation, a resume of some kind, an audition. </p>

<p>Once you know what schools she is applying to, get yourself a calendar and mark down initial due dates for each school such as when the screening tape is due if needed (submit the same tape to all schools requesting it), when the application is due, etc. </p>

<p>Requesting audition dates is like fitting a puzzle together. The trick here is to not apply to so many schools that the audition process becomes impossible. It really does all work out. If your daughter does not get into programs she wants, it will not be your fault.</p>

18

<p>Flutemom - you're way ahead of where I was with S in the process. I can tell by your posts that you have done a lot of research, and have a realistic idea of the process. S and I were definitely NOT as organized. In fact, I found this board when googling for what he should wear to his auditions nearly 4 years ago now. We did everything the hard way, flying by the seats of our pants. (To a certain extent, ignorance was bliss.) He had lessons with only teachers from two of the four schools he applied to. We were wayyy off on what we thought a safety was. We manipulated audition schedules from Germany - and we double booked two and had to beg for mercy. We missed cut off dates for cheap hotel rooms, got "taken" (in both senses) by cabbies, etc. </p>

<p>And here we are 4 years later, with a kid at a conservatory, happy as a pig in mud. </p>

<p>But what we did right was start early (we started discussing music schools with his teachers while still in middle school, although the list changed dramatically over the years.) We bit the bullet and paid for a decent instrument and summer programs. We (I) hunted down scholarship opportunities, for the money and the experience. Mainly what we did right was the "best we could." Both S and us parents were able to relax and enjoy the process somewhat, because we knew we really didn't have any control over the results and would go crazy trying to pretend otherwise. As a result, the audition trip I took with my S was one of my very best memories with him of all time.</p>

<p>I agree with Shennie that this process does involve more parental input than most other majors. Keep your spreadsheets, organize your plans, write the checks, and worry silently. But with your fluteplayer, be her loudest cheerleader, biggest encourager, and president of her fan club.</p>

19

<p>I think what makes <em>me</em> concerned, as a music mom, at the beginning of this process, is the fact that there is no way to assess that typical college "reach, match, safety". There are no stats to compare, nothing that indicates your kid's chances at any one of these schools. It all feels like a bit of a shot in the dark, despite positive feedback from teachers, etc.</p>

<p>I am looking forward to the process anyway, since it is such an exciting time, but I can't help feeling the same trepidation that Flutemom indicates.</p>

20

<p>It DEFINITELY feels like a shot in the dark. You always wonder if you are over estimating. And the fact is, at the one audition that I attended with my son (his father did the others) I did hear some students warming up who I couldn't understand why they were there. The best advice I can give you is to really listen to what trusted professionals tell you about your child's ability. And get several opinions. Part of the reason that it can be helpful to take lessons with various teachers is that you can ask them for honest feedback.</p>