Problem

smurph · Post by **smurph** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:14 pm

I was accepted into an all girls college called Columbia College in South Carolina. They gave me $9000 in academic scholarships and now I have the chance to earn $2000 more in an interview. The problem is that I have all county band that same day. I also need to play for my scholarship audition. I can choose between that day and the day of our trip to region honor band. I am sooo confused on what to do. Please give me a little guidance.

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:14 pm

Explain your situation to the college and ask if it would be possible to schedule your scholarship audition for another day. Hopefully, they will be willing to accommodate your request. You have nothing to lose by asking.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:20 am

It does not hurt to ask, but don't hold your breath. Two years ago, I had 2 students auditioning at a school about an hour and a half away. On the audition day, it snowed five inches and they both called asking for another audition day. They were both told that if they missed the audition, they would not get another chance for scholarships. This particular school is pretty competitive for music scholarships.

It may come down to you having to decide which is more important. college is expensive, and I would recommend doing everything possible to get as much scholarship as possible, especially for a private university. Even if you get full tuition, you are still going to have expenses. Honors band /all county band are both great opportunities, but your future education should be more important, in my opinion. You may not get this chance again.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:34 am

I agree with Fluttiegurl. But, if you do ask [which I encourage, because you never know what can happen], request a date EARLIER than the date you already have. What I have seen, is that if you are willing to audition early, it is more likely that you could get a different audition time. Asking to audition later than the given date is usually not a good idea. It gives you more preparation time, and isn't exactly fair.

If I had to choose between them though... I would choose the auditions. College is really expensive, and while honor bands are indeed important, once you get into College and beyond.... they don't really matter that much. While you are in high school, such statements as "I was first chair in All District/County Band" carry weight with them. Once you are in college, they are almost meaningless. Such ensembles are still important because they provide good experiances and a lot of fun, but in the long run they don't have a lot of meaning. An audition for college on the other hand can [and will] change your life for a very long time.

piccolo1991 · Post by **piccolo1991** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:38 pm

Definatly go with the interview if they cannot change it. The honor of all county is making it. You already did that...so that goes on your application. The fact that you don't go b/c of a conflict isn't a big deal. I didn't go to All-State my senior year b/c of prom. I know that may sound silly for some...but I wanted my high school experience. For me, I had been to all-state several times before...I just auditioned to be able to say that I made it. Money in college is very needed...books, music, food, rent...it all adds up really, really quick.

smurph · Post by **smurph** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:27 pm

Thank you all for your advice... My mom is calling tomorrow to see if I can somehow schedule something different... But I told my director that I needed to drop out of county and she said absolutely not you need to change your time... I talked to my assistant director and she said that my director can't do that. I just hope it all comes to a peaceful happy ending.

concertpianist16 · Post by **concertpianist16** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:45 pm

Asking would be good, if they can't accomodate you. I would pick college. College will help you later in life.