ABC Bandgeek Central

Advice

First year masters candidates

Order the study guide and use it as much as possible before arriving in Ashland.
Brush up on all your fingerings, especially the double-reeds.
Plan to stay in the dorms if at all possible. Arrive in time to spend the night before the entrance exam studying with the other first year candidates, even if you live nearby.
Bring a camcorder and tripod if you're comfortable using them.
DO NOT sign up for the in-between session if you can help it. You can take it next year, but you'll probably need the study time this year. Session C is fine, because it doesn't start until after the exit exam, but remember your projects will need to be in Max's hands by August 10.
When preparing for the Graduate Record Exam, you'll find many expensive study guides available. The toughest part of the GRE is the test of reasoning skills. The only thing that really prepared me for the test was working those word puzzles and logic puzzles like you find at the supermarket magazine stand (sudoku would be an excellent choice). On your test day, make sure you don't forget to bring along your reading glasses and your headache remedy of choice.

Second year masters candidates

Make sure you get your GRE scores in early so you can attend this summer! (see above for a study tip)
Make sure you're fully admitted so you can attend this summer!
If you had asterisks last year on your list of study areas, work on speed as well as accuracy. Those two hours really fly by when you're testing on more than 10 areas.
If you're going to take the in-between session, this is the year to take it.

Third year masters candidates

Don't forget your bassoon.
Bring a music dictionary.
Pack your baton.
Be ready for those start-up lessons. Sign up on the message board to share clarinets, horns, and/or drumsticks. When sharing the instruments, assign 2 clarinets for each room and 2 french horns for each room. You'll also need disinfectant. You'll need to have water in the clarinet rooms. 1 percussion & 2 pair sticks in each room (we had 3 rooms in 2000 & 2001).

All masters candidates

Remember, the exit exam questions are not used on a three-year rotation. Study, don't just memorize.
Follow the sage advice of Larry Hudson regarding the red ABC manual we all got when we entered the program and how it can help us all succeed! (requires QuickTime plugin)

Everyone interested in attending (masters and non-masters)

Try to bring everything you'll need for your instrument with you. There's no such thing as a quick trip to the music store for extra reeds during ABC.
Bring a laptop, period!!! Beg or borrow if you must, but it's no longer negotiable. The dorm rooms have full phone access so you can still use dial-up if you need to. All dorm rooms are equipped with two ethernet ports (for wireless access, see next entry). All ABC students have full use of the campus computer lab when it is open. You will also have access to the computer music lab adjacent to the ABC Research Center any time the center's open, providing access to the center's catalog, a printer, and the internet.
The SOU campus is now part of Ashland Unwired, which provides free access to the Ashland Fiber Network. Since Max is requiring that your computer is equipped with an Airport (IEEE 802.11b) or Airport Extreme (IEEE 802.11g or IEEE 802.11n) wireless networking card you can access the internet from the recital hall (and most other locations on campus) as well as Lithia Park and several downtown coffee shops, pubs, etc.. Configuration instructions are available from both SOU Computing Services and Ashland Unwired.
The meal plan is convenient if you plan to eat every meal on campus and you have a big appetite. If you're a light or picky eater, or you're bored by repetitious menus, you can just as easily pay cash when you eat on campus, then eat out for other meals or prepare food in the dorm (BYO pots & pans or microwave cookware). There are fast food, pizza, and sit-down restaurants, a grocery store, and a 7-11 within walking distance from the campus, and much more just a short drive away. Some ABCers even bring small barbecue grills.
The dorms are pretty well equipped for dorms. Rooms include weekly fresh linens, expanded cable hookup, two ethernet connections, a small refrigerator, and a phone jack (see below). Bring a fan and a comforter -- the weather's variable. Make sure you bring an extension cord. There's a good sized laundromat on the ground floor just off of the lobby (see below). Shared kitchens have a couple of burners (a few even have ovens), a utility sink, and a microwave, plus counter space. If you can't roll out of bed without coffee, bring your coffee maker. Otherwise, The Beanery is only a block and a half away, and there's always a big pot brewing over in the music building on clinic days to go with the fresh donuts.
To receive incoming phone calls in your dorm room, simply plug in a phone. Your number will be (541) 552 + your extension number (ask your conference assistant or the housing office for the extension for your room when you arrive). Room-to-room calls can be made by dialing just the extension. Dial 9 to get an outside line (calling card or collect only for long distance).
If you are bringing a cellular phone, check with your service provider before leaving home. The area has great coverage from some providers (such as US Cellular), and no coverage from others.
The laundry equipment was replaced in 2000. It now requires a card (available from the housing office) to operate the machines. The new front-loading washers use half as much detergent as normal, and the dryers give you a full-hour cycle, but get most loads done in half that time. Don't want to pack a bottle or box of detergent? Many manufacturers are now selling laundry tablets, which work quite well in these washers (one tablet does a large load). Buy a box before you leave home, and slip a few in your suitcase, jacket pocket, or even your instrument case. Toss in some dryer sheets, and you're all set.
The Greensprings Dorm Complex has its own 24-hour self-serve laundromat (see above), vending machines in the lobby, and three pianos on the ground floor. In front of the dorms are an outdoor basketball court and tennis courts, and an indoor pool is available next door in the PE complex. The outdoor patio can be reached from the second floor lounges in buildings B & C. Each dorm building has an air conditioned main lounge with a big screen TV, with kitchens and study areas on most floors. All rooms are furnished as doubles, with two wooden bunkable beds, two dressers, two closets, two desks and two chairs. Each building in the Greensprings complex is five stories high, with no elevators. Partially handicap-accessible rooms are available on the ground floor of building A, and fully-accessible rooms are available in another dorm complex.
Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat for the Fourth of July. You'll be outdoors all day.
As I said above, weather in Ashland is variable. High temps during A & B sessions are typically in the 80s, but can range from 60-100°. Overnight lows are typically around 60°, but may range from 45-70°. C session may be even hotter. Skies range from clear to overcast, with an occasional shower or thunderstorm. You can't go wrong if you pack for the heat, but bring a couple of extra layers, including a hooded jacket or sweater, for chilly days and evenings. And make sure you have comfortable walking shoes. Portions of Ashland are quite hilly, but quite walkable if you're in moderatly good shape (which you will be before you leave).

Thanks to:

Susan for the start-up lesson tips.

ABC Survival Advice from a Death Avenger

Study after dinner BEFORE going to Omar's.
Go to Omar's regularly; study Bassoon fingerings while you are there.
Have coffee at lunch! Stay awake for the 1pm-5pm sessions!!!!!
Get to Max's parties early before all of the good beer runs out!
And when you start to feel a little weary, remember you could be back at home sorting out band uniforms.

Add your advice to this list or post it on the Message Board.