<p>D attended NYSSSA’s orchestral program in Saratoga last summer and is at BUTI this summer. The two programs are more alike than different. BUTI’s orchestra appears to be a notch, but not a very large notch, more advanced than NYSSSA’s. Both have daily three-hour orchestra rehearsals, with chamber music, sectionals, etc in the afternoon. NYSSSA lasts four weeks, BUTI six. Both have a concert every two weeks. D enjoyed/is enjoying both thoroughly – talented peers, great faculty. </p>
<p>One possible point of contrast (I’ll have to let you know how this turns out): Last year at NYSSSA D developed a sore wrist from so much playing. She was given a mandatory two-day complete rest, a series of wrist exercises, and some very focused instruction on her bow hold, which cleared up the problem. This year the same sore wrist is back, and she is still casting around for someone to advise her. (Did she forget about the wrist exercises and the bow hold, you may ask? I will be asking the next time she is in communication.)</p>