YES ... Julia

I MADE IT INTO THE BYU MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM!!!!!

this... is what happiness looks like :):):):):):):):):)

It is an understatement to say it has been extremely difficult for Julia to wait to get into the music program at BYU, Provo. She went from being top in her high school and in the state of CO to being just another great musician (she scored 98 out of 100 on her All State audition ... which is one of if not the highest score last year ... no one got a perfect score).

Character building. Patience building. Humbling. As a Mom it has been difficult to see her doubt herself and want to quit. But it has been joyful to see her pick herself up and carry on. To dig deep and seek for strength.

I did not doubt. I knew she could do it.

Julia started BYU last Summer Term so that she could take the prerequisite class to audition for the school of music education program.  She auditioned. 

It is not an easy audition. 

She had to turn in a portolio.  This portfolio included essays - including answering questions about why she wants to be a choir director (her amazing cousins - Erin G and Christina S helped her edit them to perfection).  It also included a section of "all about me" ... they didn't want it to be focusing on music - they figured the applicant loved music.  So we got creative. 

The portfolio also required a DVD with three video taped solos and a 10 minute video of them teaching a musical concept to three or more people.

The audition also included two live solos.  An interview with a panel.  She was told that no freshman has ever made the program, ever.  She was disheartened. 

She auditioned again last month - February. She felt confident with her solos. She felt she did horrible in the interview - she felt they were picking her apart. She told them that she will be a Junior credit-wise come April and that she has completed all of the GE requirements possible without getting into the program. At the end of the interview they asked for a DVD of her Enchords group she formed and directed while in high school.

She called me. In tears. She felt frustrated.  I told her not to worry.  If things didn't work out, she can audition again in July. No big deal - (although it is).  If she was going to stay and go Spring and Summer ... then yes, it would be a big deal. I told her that it was a good sign if they asked for a DVD of a few of her songs that she directed/performed with Enchords. Thankfully - I as a paparazzi Mom - had all of her performances. I even sent Jenna in last year with the camcorder to record some of her rehearsals with the girls ... just a gut feeling that she should have some footage.

I told Julia not to worry ... I would find the footage on the computer. Thank goodness for John's computer skills. I have filled up most of the drives on the computer with pictures and video ... he was able to search and find the videos ... thankfully I knew the dates of the performance to narrow the search (thank you blog!).

Since I had the footage, I put together a 4 minute clip of Julia working with the girls during rehearsals (warm ups, parts, tapping out beats, picking solos, etc) and then 4 of her favorite songs/performances - Under the Willow, Goodbye/Lullaby, I'll Paint  You a Rainbow, and Deck the Halls.

She turned in the DVD to both Sis. A and Dr. B.

She was supposed to find out March 1. She was so nervous. She asked me to keep my cell phone on me just in case the notification came in. I did. Nothing.  I stopped carrying my phone.

I get a call nearly a week later (yesterday just after 2:00 - on my way to visiting teaching). Julia said she heard her e-mail ding letting her know she had mail. She pushed it off and then thought ... maybe it was the letter from the school letting her know if she did or did not make it. She checked.

Julia is beyond ecstatic. She received a letter congratulating her on her hard work and inviting her to be in the school of music with an emphasis in education.

It is an amazing feat if you ask me. Over 100+ students auditioned. They only accepted 12 students total ... 12 students for music education in choral, orchestra or band. She was one of 4. No freshman has ever been accepted. I guess you could say she is not a freshman, but in the eyes of the school of music back in July, she was a freshman even though she was a Sophomore in credits. She is only 18 years old.  And to think she auditioned only twice ...

I knew she could do it. I always have.