<p>I will be a freshman at IU in the fall for oboe performance and I know I will want to do a summer festival during my summers in college. But I've heard that one you hit college in these good festivals (like Aspen, Tanglewood, Eastern, Brevard, National Repertory, etc.) it gets really competitive. Does anyone know how competitive the festivals are for college students- like how many they tend to take for these programs?</p>
<p>I went to Aspen twice as a bassist. It's a really great experience. I think there must have been about ten oboists there last summer. If you're good, and you probably are if you're going to IU, then it's worth sending a tape or going to the live audition.</p>
<p>They are very competitive. My son just finished his freshman year at IU (trumpet). He is, admittedly, a little behind for various reasons; thus he did not bother to apply for the top festivals, although he plans to next year. He was accepted with good scholarships to two smaller West Coast festivals.</p>
<p>Once you are at IU, you can discuss this with your private lessons teacher. He or she will be able to give you good advice as to whether you are good enough for those programs. However, my feeling is it can't hurt to apply...</p>
<p>Summer festivals vary in the competitiveness. The ones you listed and the fellowship programs are very competitive, but there are others that are less so. Also, if you do not get accepted to a summer festival, you might also want to look into some of the week long masterclasses on your instument. For example, I know that there is a John Mack program in early June for oboe players that is well regarded. BTW...re: Tanglewood...the program for college age or older is a fellowship program and is typically filled by students who have completed their formal music training (ie college or conservatory). It is a HIGHLY competitive program. There have been undergrads accepted, but this is the exception.</p>