<p>Hello, once again I will ask for advice about music camps. I've gotten great advice here in previous years. Both children play viola.</p>
<p>Child #1 will be 17, did Suzuki method and is now working on the Hindemith. He needs a program that has both chamber music and full orchestra. I can't spend an arm and a leg. I have some ideas about how to reduce the cost:
- find an affordable program. Crane Music in Potsdam is one such program, but last year I didn't think their string program and their chamber music were their strongest suits.
- find a program that offers merit scholarships (since I don't think on paper we would qualify for need-based aid). I think I found one -- Tanglewood for high schoolers. But they want the tax return in by Feb 7, and I don't think I can do it that fast.
- find a program where as a 17yo he could have some counselor-type responsibilities that would improve the financial arrangement. I think I found one such program -- NYSMF. But he is balking at committing to six weeks. He liked it there but not enough to want to stay 6 weeks.</p>
<p>So far, of what I've found, NYSMF is looking the most feasible. The website doesn't make it clear what the actual financial arrangement is for CITs. At 17, I think CIT is the best job he can aspire to there.</p>
<p>Child #2 will be 9 and has just started Suzuki Book 5. He reads well and loves playing in orchestra. I think he's ready for chamber music, but he's not ready to stay out of town without a parent. Two or three weeks would be about right for him. A day program would be ideal, and then hopefully we could arrange a home stay with another family or a teacher. If I could find a program with minority scholarships, Child #2 would qualify. Note that he went to an out-of-town day program for two weeks last year (staying with a parent in a home stay situation), and he just lapped it up.</p>
<p>Most programs of the right musical level for him don't take 9yos. The Sphinx summer program don't take 9yos. The Philadelphia International Music Festival is the right sort of mix. The children hang out with peers of their age level, but everybody is placed in ensembles according to their musical level. But it's too expensive for us (not surprising, since it's a for-profit undertaking).</p>
<p>A Suzuki institute probably wouldn't be quite the right thing for him, because in the last year and a half he has not been reviewing his old Suzuki repertoire.</p>
<p>I hope I've given you enough information to enable people to make suggestions. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m guessing you’re on the East Coast based on the programs you mention. Both kids might enjoy Luzerne Music Center - they have separate junior and senior sessions and there are plenty of talented 9s and 10s in the junior one (which is two weeks if I recall). Tanglewood (BUTI) is a great experience, but is also a six week time commitment for the orchestra program.</p>
<p>Day camp type programs in Connecticut include Chamber Music Central, based at a school in Fairfield. My kids attended (one also worked as a counselor there) and enjoyed it. In New Haven, there’s Elm City Chamberfest, which has a good reputation but I have no personal experience with that one. Both are strictly day camps and I doubt homestays would be available, but you might be able to arrange some sort of thing where a parent could stay with the younger child.</p>
<p>As violists, your kids could be in line for some scholarship money, just for their discerning choice of instrument. :)</p>
<p>For child 1, the NSO Summer Music Institute may work as it is free and the deadline has been extended to 2/20. Does not mention chamber music but expect there is some in there.</p>
<p>Just saw a newspaper article today that Elm City Chamberfest now has a boarding option using Yale dorms. No personal experience with the camp, but the faculty is top notch and several students we know have found it a positive experience. (Just in case you’re still looking.)</p>
<p>My son spent several summers at the Stringwood Chamber Music Camp in Lanesboro, MN, run by the Artaria String Quartet. I would highly recommend it. They do an amazing job of putting groups together. I like the program because, in addition to serious work on their music, they are outside every day biking the trails, canoeing, ropes course, etc. [Stringwood</a> Summer Chamber Music | Exceptional Chamber Music Program](<a href=“http://www.stringwood.com%5DStringwood”>http://www.stringwood.com) </p>
<p>Child 1 is too young to be a counselor, but maybe in a few years.</p>
<p>Child 2 is on the young side, but the composition of the camp changes from year to year.</p>
<p>Kinhaven in Vermont. Excellent chamber music, supportive but challenging environment. And the setting is idyllic – adjacent to the Green Mountain National Forest, with jogging and hiking trails galore.</p>
aparente001, What grade (in school) is you 9 yo? When my kids went to Kinhaven, the cut offs were by grade, not age. So if s/he is a rising 5th grader s/he might qualify. It would be worth a call-- they are always looking for violists.</p>
<p>Also PIMF, formerly strings, is for-profit, but they may have scholarship $ for violists. Being a violist is like having a golden coin in your pocket. Write or call the director and explain your situation. </p>