Hello all,
I’ve just been accepted to Interlochen as an Emerson Scholar for horn, but they need commitment by March 6th… I also applied to EMF and Tanglewood, and I’ve been told their acceptance notifications aren’t sent until mid-March or later.
I’m delighted for the scholarship, but I’m also leaning more towards EMF and Tanglewood for the orchestral aspect.
Is there anything I can do other than wait and see? There have been many cases of this happening in the past, no doubt.
Ask Interlochen for an extension. You might not get one, but it never hurts to ask. My S has been to Interlochen and Tanglewood and enjoyed both. I don’t think Tanglewood offers a full scholarship like Interlochen does. I don’t know anything about EMF.
Why no love for Interlochen? My son (trumpet) went to Interlochen and BUTI. He loved both, but Interlochen was more transformative. Having chair tests every week keeps everybody sharp. The teaching at both places was excellent. The orchestras were comparable. My daughter (viola) went to EMF and it was good, but not in the same league as BUTI and Interlochen. YMMV…
@tomdug I wouldn’t call it no love… I’m not really a fan of the camp aspect of Interlochen, and the BSO concerts would be great. To each their own, I guess. I’ve talked to a few people who’ve attended both personally, and everyone has different experiences.
As for the problem of juggling responses–this is something that comes up every year and I still have no idea how to handle it. At least, with college admissions, there is a standard day for answering programs as to your choice. But summer programs operate on different schedules. Do you accept (when the deadline is early) and then turn them down later, when you get into the more desired program? I suppose that is what a lot of people do, which is how students are accepted from wait-lists.
Both of my kids attended EMF (2 years each). For a high school student, it is amazing. D turned chose it because the HS students are mixed in with the college students for orchestra. She loved getting the college student’s perspectives on music, colleges, etc. There was just enough supervision of the HS students by staff (check ins, separate dorms, etc). All students participate in chamber groups that are coached by the faculty. The faculty have their own orchestra and each faculty member has a small number of students. Neither of my kids cared for camp atmospheres and preferred living in the college dorms (as opposed to the cabins at Brevard, Interlochen, etc). D did not care for Interlochen the one year she went (uniforms and seating competition were a turn off). EMF rotates seating and there is no “play off” to see who sits where.
Called BUTI… They’re trying to get notifications out as fast as possible, and hopefully by next week.
S will be attending Interlochen this summer–not so keen on the uniform, but the camp-like atmosphere is more of a draw. He said he didn’t want to mix with "older people’ …yet…I think they will all have great experiences where ever they go…I really don’t think you can go wrong…but, yes, the “competitive” piece of some of these places may be a turn off…–I am not sure he is as aware of that seating and auditioning piece…I am just going to let him find out on his own…he has to learn how to roll with the punches in the music business, right? Or, find out it’s not for him…??
My D went to Interlochen Vocal Arts (High School) last summer and had a wonderful time. She described her experience as the best summer of her life. It was her first experience away from home for more than a week. I was very nervous about it but decided to let go since she needed the experience to start travelling on her own. We do not live in the main land and will come handy during auditioning time when she becomes a senior in high school. I have not one ounce of regret or second thoughts!! She still keeps in touch with her Interlochen peers every day through social networks and considers them her best friends.
@Kommand, have you asked Interlochen for an extension?