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WAAPA help. Much appreciated.

Tue, 13 Nov 2007, 03:12 pm
shibby9999553 posts in thread
Hi everyone! I'm quite new to this, but it sounds like the right place to ask some questions... I've been studying guitar for about 6 years now. In the past 4 years I have had this crazy attraction to WAAPA. Every performance I've been to, it just blows me away, and I love music. Now when I say that, I don't mean like, i'm just a normal teen who loves music, i mean I really do appreciate music for what it is. I listen to all genres. And I try to study them as much as possible. And the theory! that's the best part! I get more and more interested in the theory. I don't know why. Anyway, I decided a while back that I wanted to do a Bacheolor of Music at waapa. And I know how hard it is to get in, and i've heard the "rumours" about the amount of people who don't get in, and how hard it is to get in. I was lucky enough to find a guitar teacher who got in on his first try. And he did 3 years there (what I want to do), and he's fantastic. And he's got so much work touring and stuff. He has told me that all they are basically looking for is a good knowledge of your instrument and theory, and most importantly, talent. No one at my school thinks I'm good enough to get in. And I even think my pearents don't think I can get in. At the point I am right now with my studies at my school (very badly), it looks like waapa is my only thing i can lean on. I concentrate 90% of my studies on music, and theory. Unfourtunatly, the school i'm attending doesn't provide a music teacher, or subject. So this school doesn't do anything for me (except for the year 12 english which is required for entry into waapa). Should I be concentrating hard on school studies just the same? How much time should I be devoting to music and theory? What is a "guaranteed entry"? Thank you so much. Chris ^_^

Idol Thoughts

Tue, 13 Nov 2007, 04:11 pm

Certainly continue to focus on your school studies, and don't lose focus on your musical pursuits.

Getting into WAAPA Theatre is hard enough. The musical courses are a little easier, stress little. It is extremely competative with only a small number of places going compared to the number of applicants.

Not knowing how well you actually do play, it is hard to judge you talent worth to audition, however I can say with some confidence that it is not always about talent. What is looked for more often is potential. If they can see the potential to teach you something, they think you would benefit from the course itself, then you are more attracktive to them. Let's face it, they can take their pick of the bunch. They can choose for whatever reason they like (bit like Idol).

There is no guaranteed entry. You can increase your chances (marginally) by getting to know what the course plans to cover that year. Get to 'know' some of the staff if you can. Make your name 'known' to them if you can. Find some way to 'stand out' that is not based purely on your talent alone.

Just some idle thoughts.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

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