I wondered the same thing when I saw the discrepancy with the number of winners. Not sure what that’s about. Yes everyone this year got emails from Finalists to Merit to HM. I don’t think Finalists got calls this year from what I’ve read, just emails like everyone else. We got the email with the winners list first then about half an hour later an email to my daughter directly congratulating on winning and a link to sign up for a regional which we did within minutes of receipt. They said it’s a first come first served basis and they will select participants based on availability within the discipline and time stamp of the request for the regional. The email response we got confirming her selection for a regional program was exactly 4 minutes after receiving the congratulations email so if she doesn’t get in I have no idea how anyone could. We won’t know until December 19.
Congrats to all My son didn’t get any love from YA. There’s always next year. At least his Album’s selling well
that’s awesome he has an album! My D will for sure audition again next year and I would encourage your son to as well.
Hi–I got a merit in writing (just now) and a silver medal in scholastics (last year). Does anyone know which one is considered “better” or more prestigious?
Congratulations to all! Finalist in writing!!! Does anyone think that it’s a little tactless for them to send out their “Give Miami Day” email just hours after they’ve named the winners and losers ? Just my thoughts…
Won honorable mention in photography! I signed up for the NY program 1 hour after receiving the email- is that normally fast enough to earn a spot?
Congrats to those that made it and to all that were brave enough to try out. My son made finalist in the classical voice category. We are beyond thrilled. Can any past finalists give any insight into the week in Miami? Thanks!
Huge congrats to the finalists! This is my D’s first crack at YA so we are thrilled with Merit. She will try again next year. I hawked her email so immediately sent back our choice for NY for
Regionals when I received the email. The receipt email back came 4 minutes after the Congrats email to her so I certainly would hope that would get her a spot but I read on last year’s thread for YA that people responded within 30 minutes and didn’t get a spot. Yikes.
@Zane357 There were significantly less application this time around. About 4000 less applications, which led to a statistically smaller winner pool.
How competitive is the competition? I play cello. Do I have to be world renown to be even mentioned? I’d like to possibly apply next year.
Not completely true. I emailed YA and asked how many applicants there were, and they stated it was a record high for them without disclosing the exact number. The winning pool was smaller because they have a scoring rubric in order to rank. Many people did not pass the point standards. @MandomeLife @Zane357
Hi all! Could everyone who won HM or Merit and has RSVP’d for a spot for a Regional program please check in here and tell us what your discipline is, which Regional you requested, how quickly after getting your email to RSVP did you submit the request and ultimately whether or not you get a spot? I will start:
D is a Merit winner for Jazz voice. We responded very quickly, 4 minutes after receiving the Congrats email and requested NYC Regional. Thanks and best of luck to everyone!
@SpartanDrew My D got an HM last year and was extremely lucky to get a spot in the NY Regional week. From memory it was slightly different last year in that the regional sign up email did not come at the same time of the notifiction. We were really lucky to happen to be at the computer when it did, and immediately replied, at that time not knowing about the limitations and figuring she was definitely “in” because of how fast she replied. Then learned the details from CC postings and it was very deflating.
If it’s being determined as it was last year there’s no guarantee of a spot, no matter how quickly you reply. The way it worked is that all winners in all categories who lived within a certain radius of the city chosen - around 20 miles, I believe, were automatically offered spots. Once those were determined, it was a matter of how many additional openings there were, in each specific discipline. So, if you are insane like I was, you can comb through all the listings of the winners in your city area and figure out how many of those might make the geographical cut-off. Then try to find out how many in each category (it varies) are invited to that particular regional week.
In my D’s instance, it was a nail-biter, as – and I may be off by a number or two here – there were 2 or 3 winners who lived within the radius, and then maybe 4 or so outside of that radius. I heard from a previous winner that they only took “around 2 to 4” in the (theater) category. So we had an extremely anxiety-inducing period of waiting to see whether she was in or out. As it turned out, they took 4 for theater, one from “inside the radius”, my D who was from the general NYC area but outside the radius plus two from way out of state (CA & VA they must have also been at the computer when the email came in.) There was another CC person who replied just a little bit later than we did, who was in a very similar situation (different discipline) and missed out, unfortunately, so you just don’t know.
I found the whole process a touch unfair, actually, because it favors those who live in cities, when those outside of these metropolitan areas usually have less access to arts high schools and high level classes. I also feel that the Miami finalists shouldn’t also be allowed to do the regional weeks – spread the rewards around a bit more.
That being said, my D had an INCREDIBLE week at YA/NYC and it will stay with her always. She truly loved every second of it, particularly the inter-disciplinary nature of it - her group worked with the jazz musicians and some of the vocalists - I believe) and her mentor, whom she has stayed in touch with. So best of luck to all of you who are waiting to hear. Oh - and she had applied the year before and didn’t make it - so keep applying.
@rampions THANK YOU so much for your long and detailed information. I remember reading your posts from last year as well as those from parents of winners who didn’t make the regional cut. I have also been in touch through PM with several people on this forum who have said the same as you. In fact the Mom of the theater winner who made the NYC Regional that was from CA as well.
I also got some info from someone who attended NYC regionals last year that they take around the same number in each discipline as they do the finalists so…being as insane as you (I totally cracked up because I did EXACTLY what you did), I counted up the people within the radius for voice as well as the number of Finalists for voice and came up with MAYBE 4 more spots for people outside of the radius. Suffice it to say, I have already told D that her chances are slim to none of getting in. I’d rather have her think there is no way and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around. SHe is just a junior this year so she will absolutely try again next year. She won for jazz voice and not for singer/songwriter which I would have bet money would have been the other way around honestly.
ANyway, we wait for a couple more weeks and cross our fingers but I imagine everyone was right by their computer to request a spot when the email came in so who knows. We are also waiting to hear on grammy camp jazz sessions but I’m certain she would have been called by now if she got a spot so that’s probably out. All great experiences and she will try for them all again next year.
Thanks again for the scoop! Fingers crossed…
@SpartanDrew - good luck! There is always that sliver of hope that not all people who are eligible to participate do so, there are sometimes clashes with school musicals and all-state concerts and the many et cets out there, so you never know!
Anyone out there hear anything about Regional spots? I think we are supposed to be notified next week. I saw emails that said we will be notified by Dec 19 and others that said the 21st. I’m hoping that everyone is notified the same time. If others have heard they got in can you post here please? Thanks!
Not a word here, but I came across this article, so I’m not optimistic. http://www.starnewsonline.com/entertainment/20161217/new-hanovers-highs-walker-bankson-wins-youngarts-award
I wouldn’t be concerned about that article honestly. I doubt very much that he has heard anything. He is part of the same rules as everyone else. They fill the disciplines with the locals first then space permitting they fill the rest with those outside of the region. However I doubt there are a lot in his discipline so maybe that makes it more of a sure thing for him.
I’m going to apply, but I HIGHLY doubt I’ll get in.
Edit: How have applications already closed? Confused
Edit: Okay, I misunderstood the whole program. I’ll casually take my L
So I assume everyone got the “waitlist update” email yesterday? Still haven’t heard about D’s status on the list. Supposedly we will know by the end of the day tomorrow. Everyone post here when they can about their status for Regional and discipline if you would! I think it will be useful info for next year moving forward if D doesn’t get a spot this year. Thanks and good luck everyone!