Lots of luck to all auditionees! & a place to put results

[Jessnat22]

DS at Urdang. Absolutely loving it - all the very very best to those auditioning on Sunday.

I'm not sure they do have space for parents at auditions - but I'll ask DS for you. It is a long day - I remember waiting for the phone call last year after the audition - it was definitely 6.30 - if not later. But it is a great area in London so I would plan a lovely day and just try to keep busy while you wait!

Just a note on funding. It is worth noting that some of the MT Schools do offer private scholarships for those who don't get a DADA - or cant apply for DADAs under the new guidelines. Urdang and Laine definitely have their own schemes. I don't think they all do so maybe worth finding out (Performers for example don't). Impossible to know the details of course but Urdang seems to offer a few - all the profit they make from the commercial use of their facilities goes into their Student Scholarship Fund.

[suesmith]

Thank you Jessnat22 - glad to hear your ds is loving it will keep you posted!

[bop2thetop]

SueSmith - I've spoken to Urdang and they said parents can go in with their child to start off with but whether they'll be a talk or anyone to show them round they don't know as yet. Apparently they've got about 100 auditionees going so staff may be too busy trying to deal with all of them. I think it's going to be a 'turn up and see' to be honest.

[suesmith]

ok thanks bop2thetop - gosh 100 auditionees and they have 16 audition days, wonder how many they take per year across degree and diploma? Well I guess you've got to be in it to win it!!!

[bop2thetop]

Yes it is a lot SueSmith. At least we know so we can warn our DD's. I expect anyone who is used to the auditioning process would not be surprised at all though. Yes you've got to be 'in it to win it' as you say. It'll be a valuable experience whatever the outcome. I don't know how many they take on their courses. Does anyone else know?

[Sweep]

Good to luck to you for your Urdang audition. At least they give the girls a real go at showing the panel what they can do. It is scary when you hear some colleges cut half way through the day or even after one monologue or dance! Yes SueSmith you are right. A is completing A Levels and plans to audition for the degree courses in 2014/15. Scary stuff, but it's their passion so they have to give it a go. Everything crossed for you all.x

[suesmith]

Thanks Sweep - will keep you posted, Jessnat22 do you have any idea how many they take for Degree and Diploma, which one is your ds on? Thanks x

[bop2thetop]

Thanks very much Sweep. My DD is not is really not expecting to get in. She's doing it for the experience really with a view that if she gets in it's a bonus. Yes I think that Urdang do give them all a fair chance. You're right.
Jessnat- I would also be interested to know how many are on the courses. If you're able to find out. Thank you

[Jessnat22]

DS on the Diploma - first year. Approx 90 on the Diploma and up to 50 (he's not sure!) for the degree. Diploma students broken down into streams ( ballet, tap, singing etc). Please accept my apologies for the vagueness of my response - DS not a DD! He is daily "blown away" by the talent with the result of inspiring him - it does seem to be a very strong and very supportive environment - across years as well as within year groups. He was very very clear that Urdang was where he wanted to be - but as has been said before many times on this forum it's a very personal reaction - I couldn't begin to try and understand it.

He didn't wanted to do the degree at Urdang as a slightly different format. I think slightly more flexibility with the Diploma in that they chose different tracks from year 2 depending on their strengths - that was the personal appeal. He does intend to complete a dissertation afterwards to "upgrade" - well thats the plan. Just a different route.

I asked if he remembered if there was anywhere for parents to stay during auditions ......he doesn't think so ......

DS girlfriend also there - happy to get a female perspective on anything if that would also be helpful.

All the very very best for Sunday - far worse for the parents waiting

[Robsmumma]

My dd auditioned 2 years running at Urdang and both auditions started the same way.

We were taken to main hall to register and then the parent sat with their dc and given a talk by Miss Pope. We were then given a tour of the school by students.

We were encouraged to leave then as the building is quite busy with classes still going on as well as the audition. It would be a very long day sitting around there as we didn't finish till after 6.30pm. Dh and I spent the day in Covent Garden.

[bop2thetop]

Thanks so much Jessnatt22 and Robsmumma. This forum is so useful. To be able to get all this information from people that have already been through it or is going through it is absolutely great. Thank you!

Wow that's around 140 pupils in a year!! That's not bad actually. I was expecting a lot less. And thanks so much about the info about the audition day. Much appreciated. I have one more question (sorry to be a pain). On the information we've got from Urdang it doesn't give a time limit for the songs (one upbeat and one ballad). Looking at other schools auditions songs they all seem to have time limits. My DD has learned the whole song. I hope she's done the right thing. What do you think?

[Robsmumma]

Best to learn the whole song I think. At Laine dd was asked to sing her best 32 bars so started about 1/3 of the way through. At Urdang she started from the beginning but stopped after 1 1/2 mins and they said 'oh you've stopped we were enjoying that'. BUT they already knew her as she was on their foundation course, thats why she did 2 years auditions. I think they usually just stop you when they have heard enough.

[bop2thetop]

Thanks Robsmumma for the advice. She's learned the whole thing but I'll tell her to be prepared that they may stop her. Great that your DD got in to Urdang. Does she enjoy it there? Which course is she doing now?

[Robsmumma]

Dd did the Urdang foundation. She did actually get a place at Urdang on the diploma but chose to go to Laines on a DaDA. She really loved it at Laine from the moment she arrived so she is very happy (and extremely lucky).

[bop2thetop]

Oh wow! Well done to your DD. I wish her all the best of luck for the future. I know of a few students that are at Laines right now. It seems very popular.