I'm DEVASTED---didn't get into the music program at EITHER school i appl

Question:So i got into the university of both schools, but both schools said my audition wasn't good enough to admit me into the music education program. i am completely devasted---i don't know what to do. i feel like such a failure. all i've ever wanted to do was sing, i knew this since i was 4, i could sing before i could talk, when i went to my first Wayne from Maine concert when i was little i was selected to sing a song with him and i took the mic and didn't share and sang the whole thing myself, i'm the best in my choir, i'm in church choir, community theater, and i was in a show choir for 2 years and we performed in downtown disney twice!!! I've been taking private singing lessons for 3 years now as well. And i only applied to state colleges---i didn't get into a music program at a STATE COLLEGE. i feel like such a failure. i'm completely devastated. i just don't know what to do. music is my life, it is all i know. but maybe this is a sign that i should move on and do something different

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: So i got into the university of both schools, but both schools said my audition wasn't good enough to admit me into the music education program. i am completely devasted---i don't know what to do. i feel like such a failure. all i've ever wanted to do was sing, i knew this since i was 4, i could sing before i could talk, when i went to my first Wayne from Maine concert when i was little i was selected to sing a song with him and i took the mic and didn't share and sang the whole thing myself, i'm the best in my choir, i'm in church choir, community theater, and i was in a show choir for 2 years and we performed in downtown disney twice!!! I've been taking private singing lessons for 3 years now as well. And i only applied to state colleges---i didn't get into a music program at a STATE COLLEGE. i feel like such a failure. i'm completely devastated. i just don't know what to do. music is my life, it is all i know. but maybe this is a sign that i should move on and do something different

Don't worry. First off, state colleges are actually harder to get in for music than private colleges. Second, your musical training is probably still pretty flimsy and you could vastly improve in a year.

What I suggest, if you really want to be a music teacher is to go to the college where you want to study and sign up for education classes, and what ever core classes you'll need for graduation as well as private vocal lessons and to sing in a choir. In your private vocal lessons, tell your instructor your desire to have a successful audition, learn some serious music to sing for these auditions, and try out again in a year.

You may think you don't want to waste a year, but it won't be a waste at all. And it's not that uncommon to do.

So here are just a few facts about the kids who did get accepted this year... At least 30-40% are transferring from another university because they were rejected at yours the first time. 20% are freshmen who have had more serious musical training than you, including designer camps, lessons from very good teachers, and studied at magnet music high schools, and another 30% percent or more have musician parents who have been training them since baby hood.

But don't be depressed by all this, in 4 years it won't matter because it doesn't matter what you came in with, it's what you did with it once you got there.

Try writing and composing songs
and let someone else sing them.
We don't have to be what we're not.
We do need to follow our own star.
Bare in mind, every big success
started with a small failure.

Rejection is a learning experience, and it weeds out the people who are not confident in themselves from the people who keep pushing on.

DON'T LET THEM WEED YOU OUT from just 2 rejections!

Go to one of the schools that accepted you, take the basic classes like history, literature, math that everyone will need, and keep practicing at your singing and apply to a DOZEN places next year.

If you can't get past rejection and keep confidence in yourself, then you'll never survive in a cutthroat career like performing arts, so this is like your first test in this career. PUSH THROUGH if you know this is your dream.

Read this tidbit about Jennifer Lopez:
"Jennifer Lopez financed singing and dancing lessons for herself from the age of 19. After months of auditioning for dance roles, Lopez was selected as a dancer for various rap music videos"

After MONTHS of auditioning. That's more than a few rejections she faced from the VERY BEGINNING. She was rejected from In Living Color twice, before finally making it in. Even after that success, it was 5 more years of audition after audition until she made it big.

If you truly love singing, don't let them weed you out through rejection. Show them what you've got, over and over and over again and you'll get better and better :) Good luck darling!

first of all, you are not a useless piece of crap. and just because you weren't accepted into the program doesn't mean your bad. one of my friends wasn't accepted into the music program at the school of her choice because they're trying to bring in more diversity in the program. there are a multitude of reason as to why you may not have been accepted. if i were you, i would go to the school of your choice. for the first year, continue to take lessons and get your generals done and try out for choir. try to get to know the music department profs. then, try out your second year. if it doesn't work then, maybe consider your singing as a hobby and try to find something else...but never let your music go if that's what you love.

I have been a music educator since 1971 - as is my husband, our son, and his wife. You need to take a deep breath and GET SOME REALLY GOOD LESSONS under your belt. As soon as I read *show choir and traveling* I winced - yes, that probably took away from your *legitimate* study that would get you into the program you desire. The whole show choir/Disney thing might have been fun, but unless you were applying to a pop music program at one of THOSE schools, it did you NO good for music ed. We want to hear a high-quality/legitimate audition. So, by all means attend the university with the best reputation, and study with the best teacher there who will take you - you will have to pay EXTRA to do this, IF they have room in their schedule. The re-apply next semester, net year, etc. Meanwhile, you will have academics done.

I audition the new applicants for my school district - I know what it takes to be a success in TEACHING, and you know it is tough - so you need to be really good to get IN to a program. Please persevere, dust yourself off, and WORK YOUR BUTT OFF!!! Your current teacher either did not give you a realistic assessment of your preparation, or they are just NOT GOOD ENOUGH A TEACHER to get you into the program you want. Move UP and OUT - take the bold step! Get a better teacher here at home NOW, and then the best one you can at college. Much luck!

Ever thought about joining a band?

It's only what 99% of great singers in the history of music have ever done, by way of learning their trade...

Hey, rejection happens. I got rejected for composition major at a state university, and for early music performance grad study at another. I'm doing both now. Go to some school, somewhere, and get some chops...particularly SIGHT READING.

OTOH, there's something to be said for not HAVING to be a musician. If you have to be, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll make scads more money than the rest of us and enjoy performing as an amateur.