Funding Summer Music Festival

A lot of VP undergrads do not do summer programs. Many teachers feel that they are not critical for the students development at a young age. For many it’s more cost effective to stay at home, practice and continue lessons and/or coachings. My D got a small scholarship to do a summer program in Italy as a sophomore. She thought that the experience was certainly fun but it was really the last month of her stay --when she lived with an Italian family and spoke Italian everyday that really made a difference.(she stayed with friends–so that part was free!) Ultimately she felt that with just one lesson a week , even with the scholarship and the guaranteed role it was expensive. Money that could have been spent more effectively elsewhere. Later, as a rising senior, the program she attended here in the states was really great for networking and learning about which grad schools might be right for her. In grad school (and after) programs were used for getting additional roles that she could list on her work resume. As @singersmom07 said— the relative worth of a program can be determined by where the student is in their development (and what role they have been offered!) What’s worthwhile for an older student might not be worthwhile for a younger student and visa versa.