<p>I am a violinist who is planning on attending Interlochen for WYSO this summer. I'm super excited to be going as I was originally going to go to Tanglewood, but changed last minute. </p>
<p>So if there are any questions, comments, answers to questions from previous alumni, feel free to post on here!</p>
<p>I'll start off with:
1. Are there a lot of mosquitoes there?
2. Are they really strict on short shorts for girls?
3. What does the daily schedule look like?
4. How early do you have to get up?
5. How bad is the food?
6. How are the facilities?
7. Are the extra lessons as an elective worth the money?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey, I went for the HSG division, so I’ll try to answer your questions as best as I can.</p>
<ol>
<li>There are a lot of mosquitoes. Bring repellent, though, and you’ll be fine.</li>
<li>They most definitely are strict on the shorts policy. Mine were only a bit shorter, and I was constantly being hounded by the counselors! Get longer shorts (mid thigh should be fine)- no one cares if it’s not fashionable; everyone’s in uniform anyway.</li>
<li>I wasn’t in a big ensemble, so can’t help you there. From what I saw from my friends, the days were jam-packed, but after dinner, everyone had free time.</li>
<li>My memory’s a bit hazy, but I believe line up was at 6:40am.</li>
<li>Ok, most people would disagree with me, but I actually liked the food. There were some…questionable…options, but there was always something I found appealing. There’s a typical salad bar, soup, and whatever entrees. Typical breakfast, too. Nothing crazy.</li>
<li>Again, I don’t play an orchestra instrument, so I don’t have any experience with the facilities you’ll be using.</li>
<li>I didn’t take them - however, I will say this: your schedule will be plenty busy with just your primary instrument. My major was one that left me a lot of free time, but I definitely always had something to do. If you want to be in WYSO, you’ll have to practice to earn that spot. Also, there are tons of concerts performed by both the students and the faculty, so definitely make time to go see those! Not to mention cabin activities, excursions put on by the camp (you can go rowing, or to the big lake), or just hanging out with friends. That being said, if you still want to do lessons (and they’d be a great opportunity - you’d just have less time to devote to other things), go for it.</li>
</ol>
<p>Hope I helped! :)</p>
<p>Thank you so much!! @elpiano</p>
<p>My daughter was at Interlochen about four years ago. In answer to your questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>Lots of mosquitos. Interlochen is at a major lake.</li>
<li>There is a required uniform.</li>
<li>The daily schedule was filled. There was no free time except for weekends.</li>
<li>You have to get up early, raise a flag, clean the toilets, have meetings.</li>
<li>The food is better than at Tanglewood. On the other hand, there is no option to go out to eat (as you would at Tanglewood).</li>
<li>The woods are nice. The cabins are small and very crowded for the girls, because there are so many more girls than boys attending Interlochen. However, keep in mind that my information is four years old. My daughter really disliked having to clean out the toilets however, which got clogged every day. Every day there was a long line to use the telephones, since students were not allowed to use their cell phones.</li>
<li>My daughter had extra lessons (on a second instrument) and thought they were very good. i think this depends upon who you are taking lessons from.</li>
</ol>
<p>The cabins <em>are</em> small, and they are filled, but it really isn’t bad. Most cabins were extremely close - it’s like a sleepover with your friends. And there’s enough room to live reasonably comfortably.</p>
<p>As for phones, last summer was the first that campers were allowed to keep their cell phones on them. Your counselor takes them away each night and gives them back in the morning. So, no phones lines anymore :)</p>
<p>How much free time do you have?</p>
<p>depends on your definition of free time. Days are pretty structured. MT kids have no downtime at all. DD hated the cabin. There were 14 girls in hers, two toilets, two showers. But it was her summer of transformation.</p>
<p>Evenings were always free time/practice time. I had about 2 hours during the day on average of spare time. Orchestral instruments were much busier, with both large ensemble and chamber group rehearsals and 1-2 electives.</p>
<p>Who do you recommend for violin private teachers?</p>
<p>oh and how many polo shirts do you need? like the least amount I would pass by with</p>