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I'm asking this for a friend at work who has a daughter that plays the violin and wants to continue her studies in college. She is quite good from what I understand, but doesn't necessarily want to major in music. They really haven't done much in the way of college apps yet (!!!) but I don't think any of highly selective schools are an option, she's an average student with decent test scores and a not-so-great GPA (this according to her mother). I had mentioned that I heard Oberlin is supposed to be a strong music school, and that they should look it up, but I told her I'd see if I could get her any other suggestions of colleges she could consider. One other thing, her mother said the daughter is interested in strong music technique programs as opposed to performance. Thanks

By Musictoad (Musictoad) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 10:47 pm: Edit

You will get a ton of info on various music schools on this website. You really have to look at each school and evaluate for the major you are looking at, the opprotunities, the faculty. A school may be amazing but not quite right, given location,cost,political orientation. You may even decide to find a music department at a school rather than a music school. Big difference in terms of admission based on audition or based on brights and ECs. I would suggest a mixture of some liberal arts schools with depts of music, one or two conservatories, a LAC with a Conservatory, and a few music schools in a wide variety of what they consider important--bear in mind that the audition committee can move mountains if they like what they hear and the SAT/ACT stinks or gpa is terrible. Also keep in mind it is incredibly stressful on your kid because many of the decisions are not done EA, ED or you usually hear April 1 or a little later. But it is fascinating nonetheless and from what I have learned, I plan to lend some time to an organization devoted to talented hs singers and want to really help their college program become even better.

By Massdad (Massdad) on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 11:01 pm: Edit

As the parent of a violinist, I would caution you that "quite good" can have multiple meanings. Ther are a lot of good violinists out there, so they will really need to get a handle on the competition.

The nature of programs varies widely:

- Conservatory admissions are normally based almost completely on auditions. HS record does not count for much. The conservatory education will be almost completely music based, with only a smattering of liberal arts courses. Note that some "conservatory" programs, Oberlin being an example, are closer to Schools of Music.

- Schools of Music exist with in a university, and are normally quite intense in their requirements. (Think engineering degree for music!) The audition is a key, as well as meeting broader U admissions requirement. Some are not very friendly to non music majors, and will discourage students from outside the school from any but the basic courses. Some even reserve performance spots for school members.

- Music Departments usually exist within the broader university with other liberal arts and science departments. There is usually no audition requirement for admission, but there usually will be an audition for entrance to key upper level courses and private instrumental instruction.

Because of the need to schedule auditions, many music programs have early admissions deadlines. CMU's has already passed, for example.

Hautbois, did I miss anything? Remember, I'm a nonmusic guy!

By Hautbois (Hautbois) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 01:37 am: Edit

I'm exhausted and need a bit of rest, but I'll quickly say that Oberlin seems like it might not be right for someone who isn't actually planning on pursuing music. So many serious musicians go there I would wonder about the performance and instruction possibilities for a non-major. I'm just thinking off the top of my head, though ... I'd need to write to to the school to know more about them. Some campuses are really closed to any but music majors. Some don't have more than one orchestra and one band, and if they have enough music majors those students will take the spaces. Other schools have the music performance groups that are geared more toward the main student population and don't focus much on music performance degrees. And others have enough performing groups that both non-majors and bachelor of music students will find places they fit.

Off to bed with me before I become a walking zombie.

By Nyugrad (Nyugrad) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 07:53 am: Edit

Some suggestions- Ithaca college, Syracuse, SUNY schools. Univ. Pittsburgh, Boston Univ or college,U Conn. Best of Luck

By Shennie (Shennie) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 12:54 pm: Edit

You are getting some good suggestions here. It really is important that a student who wants a strong music experience but does not want to major in music choose a school carefully. Oberlin would not be a good choice because everything is reserved for performance majors. They may have some ensembles for non-music majors, but they may not be the quality she is looking for. State schools are often a good choice because they are big enough to offer a wide variety of ensembles but do not usually attract the cream of the crop so competition is reasonable. (There are exceptions to this for a few states schools with exceptionally strong programs such as Indiana and Michigan.) On the other hand, lots of smaller schools don't have enough talent to put together a decent orchestra so string players get really frustrated.

Your friend will definitely need to visit schools and try to listen to the orchestra while she is there - either in performance or rehearsal. I know lots of kids who leave our youth orchestra and go off to LACs wanting to play at the same level or higher only to be sorely disappointed.

A lot of larger schools will probably have what she is looking for. As for smaller schools, in addition to the ones listed above she might want to check out St. Olaf's, Luther College, possibly Lawrence University which has a conservatory but also has opportunities for non-music majors.

By Mstee (Mstee) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 03:31 pm: Edit

I believe University of the Pacific in Stockton has a conservatory. We walked around the campus a coupld of weeks ago. I thought it was rather pretty. Most of the Lutheran schools St. Olaf, Concordia, and so on, offer strong music programs, access to private lessons. At these schools, a pretty large percentage of the student body, many of whom are non-majors, participate in music of one kind or another.

By Sac (Sac) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 05:01 pm: Edit

University of the Pacific has a good jazz program, I believe. Dave Brubeck is an alum and contributed to it.

By Momcat (Momcat) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 07:09 pm: Edit

Wow..thank you to everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to pass them on to my co-worker.

By Hautbois (Hautbois) on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 09:42 pm: Edit

Yes, UOP has a good music program. So do a number of the UC campuses, and many are geared toward non-majors. There are a few CSUs that are good as well, but are you looking in California or elsewhere?

By Andrsntype (Andrsntype) on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 06:25 pm: Edit

My son plans on majoring in music education/vocal, and he also plays violin. Luther College told him it would be possible as a non-violin major to participate in their performing groups. And he loved it there - has visited twice, once overnight. But it is a very small school - maybe not for everyone. They also have rolling admissions, and they send admission decisions and scholarship information within a week of having a completed application. He auditioned there already - very informal and less nerve-wracking than other schools’ auditions. We're still waiting - his teacher took longer with his recommendation than we expected.

By Hautbois (Hautbois) on Thursday, December 11, 2003 - 07:56 pm: Edit

Since the two here who have asked about music programs have string players in the family, it's somewhat safe for them to go to a smaller college. One thing I do want to suggest, though, in case some reading this are wind, brass or percussion players, is to check to see if the orchestras are FULL orchestras. Some schools only have a string orchestra, which is really insufficient for a good music experience for many.

Just a suggestion.

And as an earlier post (Shennie's) mentions, some university and college orchestras are of a low quality. You really have to hear them to know for sure.

By Flutepicc (Flutepicc) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 04:06 am: Edit

A few people mentioned the Conservatory at University of the Pacific in their posts. The Conservatory has an excellent program for both majors and non-majors. There are 6 different majors in the Conservatory, including music therapy which only 3 other schools in CA offer. It is also home to the Brubeck Instite, founded by Dave Brubeck, a UOP alumni. There are different schools and colleges that make up UOP, including an excellent school of education, business, and pharmacy and health sciences. Many students in non-music majors participate in performing ensembles, chamber ensembles, and private lessons. The conservatory only has 200 undergraduates so there are small class sizes and students get to know each other very well, but there are still many other opportunities and activies outside of the conservatory including NCAA Division 1 sports and Greek life. UOP isn't too well known so hopefully this will get some information out there and help with researching schools. I'd also suggest Lawrence University in WI, as well as some of the CA State Universities.

By Flutepicc (Flutepicc) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 04:12 am: Edit

I forgot to mention that UOP isn't too highly selective. The average GPA and SAT score for this years freshman class was 3.43 and 1172 although your audition will count for a large part of admissions. They're also great about giving financial aid. There are lots of academic, music, and need based scholarships which make UOP very affordable.

By Musictoad (Musictoad) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 07:34 am: Edit

I'd like to throw in the suggestions from D's Governor School--the pianist specifically recommended Eastman and Michigan for vocalists as two of the finest in his opinion. SAT/ACT isn't considered at Eastman. Ruled out Michigan as too big and expensive for an out of state and coming from a small, small high school. Starting the audition thing later this month and throughout Feb.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 11:43 am: Edit

Actually, Eastman DOES look at SAT / ACT scores. They must be submitted with the app. They also look at academics a bit more than other conservatories. But academics are certainly not as important as your audition.

By Bananabean (Bananabean) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 03:49 pm: Edit

Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music; a few friends of mine put down Blair as their first choice school within the university were able to enroll into a double degree program within the university (usually pre-med; also, you are more likely to receive more financial assistance through Blair).

I think that the requirements (gpa, etc.) for those who choose Blair as their first choice are more lenient, since Blair is trying to build up its programs.

Blair has gotten some amazing students in the past few years, and I know from personal experience that the strings faculty is just awesome! All of the members of the Blair String Quartet are accomplished performers as well as teachers.

It's worth a look.

By Reidmc (Reidmc) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 05:05 pm: Edit

Music at Vanderbilt is definitely on the rise. I've heard good things about vocal music there, too.

By Emilyp114 (Emilyp114) on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 05:16 pm: Edit

Just to confirm, Eastman does indeed look at test scores. While they're optional for students other than those who are home-schooled, they are strongly suggested for all applicants. Part of the admissions decision is based on academic performance so strong SAT scores will help. Eastman is an excellent school. I have a friend who was actively recruited and accepted at Juilliard, Curtis, and Eastman (he's the most amazing musician I've ever seen), and although he loved the atmosphere and people at Eastman, he decided to go with Curtis and is there now. Obviously, these are schools for passionate musicians, though, and not for those who aren't going to make it a career.

By Musictoad (Musictoad) on Sunday, January 04, 2004 - 06:41 pm: Edit

the bit about eastman not requiring sat/act is due to their name being listed at www.fairtest.org. interesting.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 12:19 pm: Edit

OK - I was wrong. Eastman does not require test scores but recommends they be submitted. Too many applications and too many requirements to try and keep track of...

By Musictoad (Musictoad) on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 10:52 pm: Edit

Here's a question for the experts--if you are applying to a school that is pretty competitive, indicate that you are applying for a BFA or performance degree and will pursue music as a major-- will it improve your chances with a school offering only a Dept of Music? I don't think it will but wanted to see if anyone had any real life experience they could share.

By Massdad (Massdad) on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 11:01 pm: Edit

Musictoad,

Schools approach the admissions process in too many ways for one to generalize. You'd best direct such questions to the individual departments/schools. Many of them have a dedicated admissions person. I've found them quite helpful in getting questions answered for my own D's efforts. Also, your answer would be instrument specific for differing schools.

By Lamom (Lamom) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 04:38 pm: Edit

Son is applying as a performance major, trumpet-Jazz. My husband and I are supportive but aside from emotional and financial support we really don't feel we are much help. I found someone to help him prepare for auditions. How soon after auditions do the kids find out if they are accepted? How many kids are out there applying as music performance majors? He has been playing about 8 years and has had lots of music friends in school and local groups but so far all those kids go on to major in math, engineering, etc. One kid went to Berklee in Boston, one kid is a music ed major at CSULB, but that is all in his local community. He is accepted academically at two schools, but still has to audition for their music school. If he doesn't make it the first semester, what are the odds of making it the next. I realize this may be too broad of a question, but any info would be lot more than I know. He is applying to 5 UC's (LA,B,SB,I,SD) & USC. At his Redlands interview (was accepted) the interviewer told him Redlands would take him as a performace major w/o an audition because they are trying to build up the school (this is second hand info from son) A Redland's music prof has been a guest conductor with the local group and was the person who encouraged him to apply--so that was nice, maybe ?

By Musicmom (Musicmom) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 08:32 pm: Edit

Lamom-
Our son is applying as a performance major also, classical tuba. Fortunately (?) for him, dad is a professional musician who offers valuable and well received technical guidance. S has also had private instruction since 4th grade. I am the VERY non-musical scientist/mom relegated to the thankless role of nag. Recommendations requested? Essays written? What about that resume they asked for?
I really want to share our experience with you since it might offer some reassurrance. Our sons do seem to have similar paths so far. Disclaimer!!! Even though my husband knows music, our son is our first to apply to college and this application stuff is nuts. Sure didn't seem this complicated 30 years ago!

Sounds like your son is on the right track. He's been studying for years, involving with various music groups, help with audition prep, etc. Sure seems you've offered all the right support.

We are in NJ; are you in California? (Sorry to sound stupid....the schools you cite sound it except Berklee of course). Our son has formed a nucleus of close music friends over the years from all state /region bands but especially Governor's School last summer. Four weeks of residential musical heaven at the College of NJ FOR FREE! But, like you, we have found that even these 'serious' music kids rarely major in music. Our son says that they are smart....as in, they want to eat later in life! Even given the challenge of a life in the arts, he never wavered from that goal. It is who he is, throughout his being. He has perhaps two close friends also auditioning, most of them in NYC, Boston, Eastman, Peabody, etc.

You asked a bunch of great specific questions in your post. I hope a parent who has survived this experience will respond.
Our son is applying to 6 schools: 3 big conservatories in NYC, Mason Gross at Rutgers, The College of NJ, and the Hartt School (University of Hartford, Conn).
He auditioned at Hartt (in a BIG snow) on Dec 6 and had a positive response by Christmas. Other auditions are coming up in Feb-Mar.
It does seem kind of cruel how demanding the app process is for any arts applicant...academic requirements must be met THEN audition/portfolio.
The kids don't seem to mind. But as a parent, it is torture, isn't it?

I went on too long again; sorry.
Best of luck to your son....he will find the perfect place I bet!

By Shennie (Shennie) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 09:04 pm: Edit

My son is currently a sophmore in music performance at Eastman. He auditioned at 4 schools and didn't hear from anyone until late March. Heard from his last school in mid-April. As far as the competition goes, it really varies from instrument to instrument and school to school. If a school has a really sought after teacher, then competition is very stiff. Acceptance also may depend on how the school does things. At some schools you have to be accepted into a specific studio, others you get accepted first and assigned a studio later. This is ok if you don't have a strong preference for a teacher, but difficult if your decision about whether to enroll or not is based on the teacher you get assigned to.

State schools are something a little different since you get admitted to the University first and then to the music school. I think you need to contact the state school and find out how they work. At our state school, you audition for the music school for scholarships and teacher assignments but not really to be admitted to the school itself. However, only the best students in the auditions get to study with the top teachers. So my guess is he when he auditions for the music schools at the state schools he is really auditioning for a teacher placement rather than really auditioning for the school. He also might have to audition for the jazz program itself since jazz programs are often limited in the number of participants they take. Your best source of info is the school itself.

And, yes, for us non-music parents this sfuff is tough. It is so different from applying to regular college. More like applying to grad school rather than undergrad. Feel free to email me if you like.

By Musictoad (Musictoad) on Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 06:42 am: Edit

LA mom--I have to agree it is torture on the kids applying to music schools. Stress has had a big impact on D. Tried to balance it all with mixing of safeties reaches and matches is a nightmare--so she added in a few LACs here in midwest,3 music schools midwest and one conservatory-- Peabody. i didn't have the money to visit the schools before we applied so we'll use two days to scout them out but pressure is on at work to cut salaries so i'll probably go broke before it's all through. every week end beginning at the end of January is scheduled for an audition. And to add to the stress, a good friend of D applied ED to a music school and got rejected for the instrument played, even tho this person was extremely talented. Sick of the whole roulette wheel.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 12:25 pm: Edit

Musictoad: Sorry to hear all of this is so stressful for you. I guess all I can say is hang in there and realize that in 3 months it will be over and you will know what the final score is. Also, don't be too upset about talented friend who applied ED and got rejected. First off, ED is not a good way to go for music performance. Most of the top conservatories don't have it. And teachers want to be able to compare all applicants before they make acceptances. General advice is that unless you are an exceptional talent on a national scale, don't apply ED. Second, instrument acceptance really varies from place to place, depending on the number of openings that are available during a given year, and that can vary widely. If the school is small, then chances are dicey no matter how good you are.

So take a deep breath, try and enjoy your weekends together and hope for the best!

By Lamom (Lamom) on Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 12:41 pm: Edit

Thanks for the info, it is a roulette wheel. We are in Southern California, out in the sticks. My husband is from NJ, graduated from Wachung (sp?) HS, then college in TX, wandered over to CA and this CA native doesn't think she could ever leave. The guy helping w/auditions is 1.5 hrs away w/o traffic but son is listening to him. Just about everyone (before they hear S) gives him a little talk about how he needs to keep his options open and how tough it can be to become a professional musician. I think that S realizes this(as much as a 17 yr old can). He plans to be a math minor and I hope he is able to continue with his other loves, science and math--I'm willing to pay for an extra year of college, if we have to. I wish I could package the great joy I see when he plays, there is no way I could every try to take away his dream. I work with too many people who picked their job just for the money and are so unhappy, then they work more to make more money trying to become happy. Some of them also do their best to force their kids to follow them in the "money making careers". I also work with two musicians who switched careers once they married and decided to have a family. Thanks again.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 04:07 pm: Edit

Lamom - When my musician son was in 8th grade he told me that when he grew up he was going to play with the Chicago symphony. I told him that was all well and good, but playing with the Chicago symphony was equivalent to the kids who want to grow up and play for the Green Bay Packers (can you tell which state we live in ?) His response was, "I know Mom, but someone has to play for them. It might as well be me!" At that point I started to realize that he was right, some folks do get those jobs and who was I to tell him that he wasn't good enough to do that. It is easier to go for the dream now than to look back when you are 30 and wonder if you really could have made it. My son will either make it or he won't, but at least he will eventually know one way or the other.

By Musicmom (Musicmom) on Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 08:44 pm: Edit

Lamom-
Your husband went to Watchung HS?
About 40 miles south of us! We are both NJ all the way through...Yes, I know that is not a positive to most folks!

Shennie-
Love your post...your son sounds terrific. Eastman is a very highly regarded school. Our son was advised to consider it but it is too cold he thinks.
Our son knows how few get into Juilliard but had the same "someone has to get in" attitude your son had about the Chicago symphony. Time will tell.
Thanks to all who post here..I have learned tons!!

By Lamom (Lamom) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 01:00 pm: Edit

Shennie-
Thanks for the info. Once they are in college how demanding is the workload?

Musicmom-
I don't know about now, but I know my husband had a much better public school education in NJ than I did in my part of CA. Perhaps it was just the area or the time but it seemed like my schools just loved to experiment with new ways. The "New Math" was a joke to everyone but we paid the consequences. I wasn't exactly counting on my fingers but it took waitressing while in college for me to finally sit down with flash cards and memorize addition/subtration. Enough complaining, I survived.

You all are so helpful, I am so glad I found this site. Heard from UCI yesterday about auditions. UCLA and UCI audition 1/31 so one in the morning, one in the late afternoon. Then USC on 2/1. So far S has been rather calm and is all excited about some solar boat project he joined at school. I wish he could just stop losing things, music especially. The music always shows up but I gave up when we couldn't find the Arban's. He hadn't touched it on winter break but I thought I saw it when we were looking for the honor band music. It wasn't in the school locker, maybe it was lost in the school band room. I tore the house apart. He looked like his dog had just died. The closest store was over an hr away. I next day aired Barnes & Noble, sometimes it's just not worth it.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 02:21 pm: Edit

RE: Workload

For music majors the work load can be fairly intense. My son's goal is to practice 4 hours each day. (He doesn't always meet that, but he tries.) He also has orchestra rehearsal for 2 hours 3x per week. And starting this year his quartet practices 5-6 hours each week. So just adding that up is around 36 hours each week for practicing and rehearsals. Then you add in his classes in Theory (which is pretty heavy duty), his lessons, seminars, other classes and homework, he stays very busy. Kids often think that they can do music performance and major in something else as well, but it is very difficult to do.

My son is also interested in academic classes, so he has been trying to squeeze in an extra class each semester. It is good for his brain and I think it benefits him over all, but it requires a great deal of dedication and time management skill for him to do this. His school's required course load for the first two years averages about 18 credits each semester, with about half of them being performance credits (lessons, orchestra, quartet - classes requiring a lot of time but no book work) and the other half being classroom type courses that require studying for tests and homework. There is variability from semester to semester and between different majors, but it gives you a rough idea.

By Sac (Sac) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 03:51 pm: Edit

Lamom,

Good luck to your son on his auditions! He sounds a lot like my son, who is has played tenor saxophone for 10 years and is in jazz bands in and out of school, and is also good in math and science. I've always been fascinated by the math/music link, and wonder if it's particularly strong in regards to jazz which requires so much music theory for improvising. Of the schools you've mentioned, USC and UCLA are really known for jazz, as I'm sure you've learned. UCSD is well-known for new music and composition. I think its jazz is mostly extracurricular, if I remember right. Has your son also looked at University of the Pacific, which is mentioned above for its Brubeck connection?

My daughter went to UCLA and majored in art, which is in the College of Arts and Architecture (also home to jazz studies and ethnomusicology). From her experience, it seems as if that might be an excellent choice for your son to pursue math or science classes at the same time as jazz if he is prepared to deal with a large school. It is possible to double major, though math and science are in a different college. Depending on the double major, however, your son might need to take five years if the music classes are anything like the art studios, which take huge chunks out of the day. We were not able to convince our daughter to finish the double major she talked about (history/art) because she was anxious to graduate, however she took many, many classes in L and S, and loved the huge selection available to her.

Our son also has his weeks when he talks about being a jazz musician, tempered by the reality of the life of his saxophone teacher who is a great player but has chosen a day job over spending months on the road away from his family. So, we've mostly looked for schools at which our son can major in math or science and still play in a jazz ensemble without having to compete with those who plan on it as a career. USC is not on our list for this reason, since it gets those who know this is their calling in life. (Perhaps that is your son!)

Our son hates auditions and has opted to send cds, but then he's not intending to be a music major. However, the one audition he went to last year for a regional all star ensemble might be instructive for your son: they required sight reading and so he was glad he'd practiced that (if your son is at all like mine, he likes to spend most of his practice time "noodling" on songs he already knows and loves rather than picking up new pieces cold); they stopped him after one piece, though he'd prepared two, and he wished he'd played the other piece first; they asked him to play lots of scales, of course, and he worried later that he forgot to articulate them (a comment that will probably mean much more to your son than it means to me). They also commented on which player he'd been listening to most, based on his playing, and suggested others for him to spend time on. We've heard that at other auditions for this group they've actually asked players to play in the styles of various other artists on their instrument. I'm sure the musician who is helping your son prepare will have covered all this, but I pass it on in case any of it helps.

Lastly, I notice you live in SoCal and that's where the schools are on your son's list. Lucky you -- you'll still get a chance to go and hear him play when he's in college. I'm really going to miss that!

By Lamom (Lamom) on Friday, January 09, 2004 - 04:24 pm: Edit

Sac and Shennie,
Thanks, every little bit of info is new and helpful. I will pass it on to the S. He has been taking lessons with a local lady for about 6 or 7 yrs, unfortunately she thinks everything he does is wonderful and I think he has outgrown her. Fortunately she has stressed sight reading. The audition helper is the director of a HS just a few miles from where I grew up. S has a close friend at UCLA but has never visited. The close friend was a senior when S was a freshman and has been a great influence in our son's life. Friend was Key Club president, drum major and son followed in the friend's footsteps. S had considered UOP but never followed up, I am not certain why--probably forgot and I didn't know enough to encourage him. Fortunately when it came time to apply, he wanted to be close enough for laundry help every so often. I guess that works out since that means we get to hear him play. He is an only child so we don't have to worry about conflict with sibling schedules.

By Musictoad (Musictoad) on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 10:22 am: Edit

I have some practical questions for those who have had their kids do these auditions. D, when stressed, can have her neck and back muscles go out. I'm planning on having some physical therapy for her prior to her vocal auditions just to help her. Does anyone think the music schools could recommend someone in their city?
Also, how insane is it to do a friday-saturday trip with auditions ending at 5pm on sat and then hoping a plane on sunday late afternoon for a Monday audition--if anyone has done this juggling give me some tips. The whole logistics thing, plus the HS not approving the missing of school days (how many excuses of illness can I utilize???? or do I just say deal with it, your time is over)

By Musicmom (Musicmom) on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 04:02 pm: Edit

Geographically, my S is dealing with schools in a smaller circle than most others, I think. Plus one audition was thankfully in early Dec; one we opted for early Feb, then mid Feb. But the three schools in NYC will all be in one week. I don't know how he (nor I!) will manage that! His HS 'gives' seniors 2 interview days for college apps. Excused absences, I guess. They will be his audition days, then some 'sudden illness', if necessary. Yup, in the grand scheme, the auditions DO rank over the HS being annoyed.
Best of luck to all our kids!