Just wondering how selective this festival generally is? Anyone been for composition or have any idea? What about for voice? There aren’t any other threads with this specific info so I’m hoping to crowdsource a figure that maybe someone has heard from a reputable source. Thanks!
It is very selective for composition. Are you in a college program already - or in high school? Most of the attendees are undergrads and graduate students.
@SpiritManager Yes, I’m in college already. I know it’s uber competitive for comp, so I’m not expecting much.
Are you already studying composition? Do you have a portfolio to submit? Letters of recommendation? (I don’t actually know the process - just guessing.)
@SpiritManager Yes, and I’ve already applied. I was just curious about the odds, that’s all.
Aspen in general is very competitive (I don’t know composition), it is kind of the preferred summer program of a lot of Juilliard pre college and conservatory students and other high level programs, so it will be very competitive. With Aspen (and it is only my experience/opinion), often with Aspen the kids who get in there have teachers teaching there, which can make it harder IME for kids applying from outside. Basically, it is probably as competitive as a competive music school admission would be as a rule of thumb IMO.
@musicprnt So if one of the comp faculty for this year worked with me for 2 years and knows my work well, that means I’ll at least be considered seriously right?
@senior2016M: I would say yes, if you worked with faculty there and they are going to be on the faculty for when you are going, it is going to increase your chances of getting in (even if they aren’t, they likely might talk to one of the faculty who will be there). There are no guarantees, things could happen, your teacher might have no openings and none of the other teachers could work with you, it could be a really strong year with a ton of really strong candidates, you never know, but I would say you have a very good chance of getting in, based on what I know.
Aspen is also extremely competitive for voice. Did you also audition for voice and does your voice teacher regularly send students there? The latter comes into play as does whether or not they have openings for your voice type; older students usually get preference.
@Mezzo’sMama I didn’t apply for voice, just composition. I don’t have an Aspen “feeder teacher” if you will, FWIW.
Thanks everyone for the responses! I’ll see soon enough in December what the outcome is. And there’s always a subsequent year - I’m hopeful I will go some day, even if it’s not freshman year of college 
@Senior2016M :
Some programs can take several years of applying to get in, it often comes down to applying in the right year where there is an alignment of planets around you getting in, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get in, it always pays IMO to keep trying.