Pulling into DePauw, prospective students received greetings from dreary, gloomy skies and raindrops. But the moment they walked into the Green Center for the Performing Arts, smiling faces from both faculty and students brought some warmth to their visit.
Nineteen prospective students visited campus Monday to audition for the School of Music. Historically, the December audition date draws a smaller crowd, as most students are not ready to present their final work.
Dean of the School of Music Mark McCoy called these students "overachievers" in a light-hearted tone.
The three later audition dates, in January, February and March, each draw in about 60 students, making Monday's events much more manageable.
McCoy said the School of Music is looking to fulfill its ideal enrollment distribution within each area of performance for the upcoming year and yesterday saw only the beginnings of the potential students who can meet that quota.
Audition days are busy, but McCoy said that faculty were prepared and knew exactly how their days would unfold.
"Our faculty and staff are old pros and there is a lot going on, but they handle it well," McCoy said.
Prospective student Nick Sokol shared some of that confidence as he awaited his piano audition, looking across the Great Hall of the GCPA at the other performers around him.
"This is my second audition, so I am not as nervous for it," Sokol said.
Prospective student Patrick Rutledge was also confident, stating that he walked off the stage feeling proud of his performance.
"I have had a really good day," Rutledge said. "I came out of my audition feeling confident."
McCoy said the faculty were very excited to meet the new students who may join the School of Music.
"It is an exciting day. It is great to see new faces and see young students who are ready to take on music at the collegiate level," McCoy said. "I like seeing students light up when they work with our faculty."
Others also seemed excited for the auditioning prospective students. Sokol said that the current students welcomed him.
"I really like the feel of campus. Everyone is very kind and open to talk to you," Sokol said. "I really enjoyed the class I attended. It was a lot of fun, and the people were so nice."
Sokol also said he loved the building in which he spent most of his morning, the GCPA.
"I like the quality of the auditorium and the performance rooms in the GCPA," Sokol said.
Rutledge agreed, saying this was his third visit and he was still impressed by the experience.
"I don't know how I found DePauw, but each time I come back I love it more and more."
