Hi,
Considering this program (the Rochester, NY camp) and would appreciate feedback from anyone who’s gone in the past, etc.
http://bocalmajority.com/rochester/
Thank you!
My daughter hasn’t done Bocal Majority, but I can tell you that being surrounded by other double reed players energizes her like nothing else. The only faculty member who is familiar to me is Geoff Sanford. We haven’t met him, but his reeds were the last ones my daughter would let me purchase before she started playing on her own. I’ve talked to him on the phone and he does seem to know his stuff when it comes to reeds. None of the faculty are huge names, so the program won’t attract the caliber of students you’d see at one of the more prestigious summer programs. It would be a great first immersive summer experience, and a stepping stone to see if more serious experiences would be worthwhile.
If you’re looking at oboe, feel free to PM and I am happy to share my daughter’s experiences. For bassoon, if you/your child can find a chance to work with Dr. Ryan Romine, that would be a very energizing experience. And Sue Heineman is magical. Look for her at University of Maryland and NSO Summer Music Institute. There’s a bassoon week at Peabody that would most likely be a higher caliber.
Local woodwind quintet camps were also great fun and amazing musical development experiences for my daughter. I highly recommend the experience if one is available near you. Wind players do less chamber playing than most string players do, and it’s great for development.
Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I’ll definitely PM you about oboe. My child has been studying piano and voice for a while, and is a beginning oboist. Thanks again!