Hatrack River Forum: Everyone, keep your fingers crossed!

This is topic Everyone, keep your fingers crossed! in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

I just spent the last two days in Michigan. I went up for an audition to the University of Michigan School of Music, and it was one of the most nerve-racking experiences of my life. It probably didn't help that my entire family went up with me, but c'est la vie... I guess I can't be picky!

My audition was at 11:42, so I got up around 8:00 yesterday morning, and when I was ready, we headed out to the campus... The auditions were held in classrooms in the music building, and that's where the warmup rooms were too. So, I guess I shouldn't have been as nervous as I was, there were plenty more people who were just as nervous as I was! But, due to my plan of going to Israel next year (which I'm pretty sure I've talked about here), this was the only college or university I auditioned at this time around. Since it's so late in the season, everyone else had already been to five or six. So I guess I DID have the right to be nervous!

When I actually went in for my audition, there were four people judging me... I gave my music to the accompanist, and then one of the judges asked my name, and what I was going to sing first (everyone sang two pieces). After I told her my name, we killed about 3 minutes in which I tried to explain how to pronounce it... [Wink]

But then they gave up, and I started singing. After I was finished with my audition pieces, they made me do this listening exercise where the accompanist played a series of notes on the piano, only once, and I had to sing them back to the judges. I was completely unprepared for this, so I really don't know how I did! AAAAH!

I don't know why I started my own thread about this, it really isn't interesting enough for that, but I just felt like sharing. [Smile]

Keep your fingers crossed that I got in, everyone!!! I wouldn't count on it, what with 1 in 11 people making it through the auditions, but I'm keeping them crossed anyway!!! [Angst]

Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :

Wow, Good luck.

*is nervous for Raia*

Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :

DFingfers crosdsed butr irt makesd it haerd ro typoe!

Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :

We're rooting for you Raia!

*sends positive Raia vibes toward judges*

Farmgirl

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

Thanks, guys!!! [Kiss]

*nervous as hell*

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

This is cool! I hope you get in.

Good luck!

Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :

Raia, you're in, I just know it, we should ask Starla to whip up a spell to see the future to confirm it.

[ March 06, 2004, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: Valentine014 ]

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

Thanks, Bob! [Smile]

And

at Val... thanks, dear.

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

How DO you pronounce your name?

Also: Best of the best luck!!!

Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :

Good luck, Raia.

Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :

Good luck Raia !

Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :

Let us know Raia. I know some of the staff at UofM. George Shirley is head of the departement there (I think) and he sang with the Met for years. Anyway, he's cool.

But, if you tried out for their musical theater department, it probably wasn't him.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is GOOD LUCK!!! (((Raia)))

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

Ryuko: My name is Shani... it's pronounced (the closest I can get to typing it) Shuh-NEE. But nobody ever gets that... not one of teachers had it right last trimester. [Dont Know]

Derrell: Thanks. [Smile]

Anna: Thanks! [Smile]

Ooh, Narnia has connections! Maybe you can find out if I got in or something... [Wink]

Nah, I'm just kidding. But it's cool that you know people at UofM! I should know people there, because I lived there 3 years, and my dad worked at the University, but I don't know anyone, especially not at the School of Music. *sighs* Oh well. And thanks, btw!

(((You guys)))

Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :

Best of luck, Raia. I bet ya did great!

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

Thanks, Sopwith. I hope so!!

Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :

Good luck Raia. [Smile]

Right now, Michigan looks like the most probable school for me. So maybe we'll get to be there together. [Razz]

Posted by kidyanna (Member # 6148) on :

Good luck sha-ne-ne ( that's a josh-ism)... we missed you on friday ....we threw Brandon a little going away party that we wished you were there for....but don't even worry about getting in I'm sure you did with those wonderful pipes of yours...And I'm sure you blew them away [The Wave]

yea Nini!!

Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :

Wishing you the best of luck, Raia. I am sure you did just fine.

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

quote:
Dear Ms. Wahrman:

After careful consideration of your application for admission to the University of Michigan, we regret that we are not able to offer you a place in the School of Music for the Fall 2004 term.

This decision has been rendered by the School of Music faculty and admissions personnel and is based on a comprehensive review of all related materials in your file, including the audition, interview, and/or portfolio results.

We appreciate your interest in the University of Michigan and offer our continued best wishes for every success as you pursue your educational goals.

Sincerely, Theodore L. Spencer
Director

Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :

Oh Raia baby, I am so sorry. They don't know what they are missing!

(((Raia)))

[Frown]

Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :

Bummer, Raia. I lucked out when it came to my audition. I couldn't actually make it to the school, so I was allowed to send in a tape. I've had auditions for other things, though, and I know how rough they can be, especially when you've done the best you can, and it's still not enough. Keep trying, though, if music is what you want to do. You'll get in somewhere, and it will be where you need to be.

Posted by J T Stryker (Member # 6300) on :

there always is good old IU [Evil Laugh]

[ March 20, 2004, 09:27 PM: Message edited by: J T Stryker ]

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

(((((((((((((((Raia)))))))))))))))

There's something better waiting for you somewhere else. (((((Raia)))))

Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :

Raia, I'm so sorry that you have had such a disappointment.

Their loss.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

Raia, there will be many places that value your talents. I'm sorry this one didn't work out for you. (((Raia)))

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

(((((Val, fiazko, Stryker, rivka, Mrs. M, CT))))) Thanks guys. I do appreciate the kind words! It wasn't my top choice or anything, and since I'm going to Israel next year it was really just for the year after, and I can try again, and in more places next year... but it was still disappointing. Oh well, I'll get over it. [Frown]

Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :

(((Raia))) I'm so sorry. I know what a horrible experience being rejected can be. Try not to let it get you down. Don't do like I did and let it ruin your love of singing.

Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :

[Frown]

Posted by Tyrael (Member # 6352) on :

From what I've read, you seem like an incredibly strong person Raia. Don't let this minor set-back deter you from your ambitions. I don't believe we know each other, so I don't want this to come off as false sympathy; I can relate to your situation. The best way to take your mind off of the recent past is to look towards the future. It seems you will have friends wherever you go, doing whatever it is you chose to do, and that is very, very important. [Smile]

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

(((((ludosti, romanylass, Tyrael)))))

ludosti: I don't plan on letting it ruin it for me, I really hope it doesn't! But it really is something I love to do, so I hope hope hope that I can continue to do it as before, wherever it is that I end up.

Tyrael: *touched* Thank you so much, those words really meant a lot to me! [Smile]

I never thought I was a strong person at all, but it helps to have all you wonderful Hatrackers and all my friends supporting me. Oh, btw... welcome to Hatrack! [Wave]

And thanks again.

Thanks to all of you. I haven't told my voice teacher yet... I got the letter after I already returned from my voice lesson. [Frown]

Oy.

Posted by Tyrael (Member # 6352) on :

I'm hoping your teacher of voice will be compassionate regarding this, is she/he usually understanding? Have you auditioned elsewhere? A previous post mentioned something about IU? I've come to understand that they are exceptional in their vocal departments (I know they are well known for music, but I wasn't sure for which branches). And why the mischievous/devil face when IU was mentioned? (pity me, I'm new [Wink]

)

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

He's not generally overly understanding... he's amazing at what he does, but he's usually very short with me. There've been a couple times when he was completely unjust towards me, but then there are times when I'm expecting blows (pretty much) and get praise. [Dont Know]

Oh well. I don't know.

I haven't auditioned anywhere else, simply because of this plan to go to Israel next year. So all of that will come during the application process next year. I guess I shouldn't be this disappointed, especially since I've never really done anything like this before, so I can't expect to get it first time. But *shrugs* disappointment hits everyone pretty hard at times!

IU is a really good school. The reason it was mentioned humorously, though, was because we live so near, none of us want to go to IU because we have to live in the same town as our parents. [Wink]

And nothing wrong with being new! [Wave]

Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :

Query:

How do vocalists learn to hit notes precisely when singing a piece that they have never heard before? Must you have “perfect pitch” so that when the note comes out of your mouth, your ear knows whether you got it right or not? Do you then slide your voice around until your ear is satisfied? Or are your vocal cords and throat and facial muscles trained to reproduce notes precisely? Or do you just cross your fingers?

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

skillery, if I understand your question...

In order to just pick a note out of midair and identify it specifically, or to sing a specific pitch, you do need "perfect pitch." However, if you have a starting note, then if your musical training has proved effective, you can find pretty much anything from there -- as long as you know what note it is that you were given.

[Confused]

Does that help?

Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :

Raia, honey, I'm late for this thread. I'm sorry though...BUT that music department is huge and impersonal. They don't deserve and wouldn't appreciate your sunshine, so I'm glad you have the chance to shine somewhere else. [Smile]

(((Raia)))

Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :

Thanks Raia. I guess the trick then is to keep that starting note in your head throughout the course of the song.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Raia, darling, I'm so sorry. I didn't see this before, I don't know why not.

Usually when a door closes somewhere it's because there is another opportunity waiting. I know how it feels not to get something you worked so hard for - but you are an incredible person and I have no doubt you won't let this keep you down.

Best of luck with whatever direction you go from here.

(((Raia)))