When your child gets accepted into their dream college, you breathe a sigh of relief. You've got the invoice for the first semester and have managed to balance tuition, fees, room, and board with scholarships and financial aid. However, if your child is involved in performing arts, you might be in for some unexpected financial surprises.

Whether they are majoring in performing arts or participating in college ensembles, additional costs can add up quickly. From private lessons to suits, gowns, costumes, wigs, shoes, and travel expenses, you may be wondering just how much these expenses could cost you.

For instance, a student can expect to pay an average of $2,000 per year for their three performance gowns. A prestigious southern university charges $260 for a 45-minute private lesson. A Midwestern school requires its orchestra to travel and give performances during the summer, with students responsible for all travel, lodging, and meals while on tour. If your child has a gold-toned instrument and wants to march with a silver instrument band, they will need to replace it, which can be quite costly.

Voice students need language, diction, and vocal lessons, while music education students require a quality baton. In high school, the school or the booster club provides all students with an equal opportunity to participate in performing arts. In college, there is no booster club. These are not optional costs; they are part of the degree plan. If your student does not get the needed lessons, materials, or instruments, they could be removed from their programs or ensemble.

To prepare for these unexpected costs, it's important to understand the college program catalog, which outlines nearly all the costs related to your child's attendance and participation in performance ensembles. This legal document is usually available online, but if it isn't, you can call the department office and request a copy. Ask questions and be mindful of additional costs that may not be listed online. Speak with ensemble directors and studio instructors about fees, and consider negotiating when fees are not included in the catalog.

For example, if the clarinet teacher requires a Buffet Crampon R13 A Clarinet and Bb Clarinet, which can be quite expensive, you might negotiate to use a less costly option, like the Buffet Crampon BC123150 R13 Series A Clarinet. If the voice teacher requires multiple trips to New York and Chicago to see operas, which could cost over $6,000, negotiate for one trip to each location and one within driving distance.

If these college costs are still unaffordable, consider non-institutional scholarships. Most communities have several scholarships available for local students, and you can start by looking at your student's high school guidance office or local library.

In conclusion, while college is expensive, knowing upfront about the unexpected costs of college performing arts will help you plan and make paying for college more manageable.

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