We've all been glued to the TV, watching "American Idol" (pictured, right) and pondering the incredible dedication (and occasionally, sad sad delusion!) of those young performers. Some have been on a serious musical track since early childhood, and have poured their hearts and souls into practice time, lessons and stage experience. Others - especially in the early stages of the auditions! - seem to have mistaken their shower tone, parents' enthusiasm or the drunken cheers of fellow karaoke devotees for serious musical appreciation.
Of course, it's a parent's job to encourage and support. But just because you think your kid is awesome doesn't necessarily mean he or she has what it takes to make a living at this, let alone win Grammys and groupies. Which is why wise parents encourage their musically-talented kids to remember those golden words: day job. It's also why college is so important. Read More...
Just four years after Harvard nixed early admissions, it's back on the table for fall - and Princeton followed suit a scant hour after the Harvard announcement. The prestigious Ivy League schools said they had taken the no-early-admits step initially to try to quell the overly competitive admissions environment. But the result was Harvard losing top notch applicants to Stanford and other schools, which had continued offering early admission.
Related posts:
This month's All About Parenting Blog Carnival delves into the topic of music and kids - from cool tunes for tots, to conservatory auditions for college kids - with help from 18 fantastic parenting experts, parents and bloggers. Among the tips: concert etiquette, music lessons, explicit lyrics, philosophical musings and great tunes. Let's get started:
Concerts, Lessons & Beyond
If you're introducing your children to the wonderful world of concert-going for the first time, Espie Estrella, About.com's guide to music education, has some excellent concert manners tips, from what to wear to when to clap. Check it out, then go enjoy some culture.
Laureen Miles Brunelli's funny and inspiring blog post, "No Ukuleles at the Dinner Table," addresses music lesson issues. The About.com guide for work-at-home moms talks about the challenges, expenses and benefits of bringing music into your child's life - and what to do when that ukulele starts showing up for dinner.
Katherine Lewis, About's guide to working moms, raises a related issue - how do you fit music practice into an already crammed schedule? She shares some really great tips from readers - and invites you to share yours too.
And I tackle the opposite end of the spectrum: what happens when your passionate young musician contemplates music as a career? Here's the lowdown on college vs. conservatory, audition survival and the big question - is "starving musician" a stereotype or a reality? Read More...
Student debt? A group of college students in Nova Scotia can definitely relate. They penned "The Student Poverty Song" to protest tuition spikes, then posted the music video on YouTube. It's a witty and compelling take too, complete with debt signs, an attempt to pay the tuition tab in unorthodox currency, and a particularly funny little fundraising effort in an elevator. Enjoy!
