<p>Has anyone been to Interlochen or Brevard (HS programs) for piano?
In the past my D has always attended summer camp with her saxophone. At that camp, the piano program was small and isolated and the place to be was part of the large ensemble. Essentially it was a band/orchestra camp with a piano program stapled on, and she never regretted not choosing the piano program even though piano is her preferred instrument.
This summer she is determined to pursue piano, but I am concerned that the piano program wherever she goes will be lonely and there wont be opportunities to perform or collaborate with other musicians.
I know Interlochen and Brevard are famous for their large ensembles. Are they good places to go for piano also?</p>
<p>Sorry, lastbird, I am going to avoid your actual question and just point out that a top consideration for choosing where to go should be who is teaching there. We sent my D to a program that was possibly slightly less prestigious than a couple other places she got admitted to, but working with that particular teacher who is not only well known but a very nice man has proved to be a big help for her college auditions. Despite being perhaps a bit behind on technique she was able to show a lot of other skills she has that don’t necessarily come through in a 10 minute audition. I believe she impressed the teacher who had contacts at many different universities.
Others will know more about the piano world than me, but I’m pretty sure your d will have a positive experience at either location.</p>
<p>Thanks, Clrn8mom, but we are working in the dark here. We have no idea about any of the teachers at any of the programs. That’s how new to this whole world we are. Well, my D cast a wide net and we’ll see what program(s) she catches! Then we’ll go from there. But I do appreciate your note about finding the program that gives her what she needs vs. prestige. We’ll keep it in mind as the month goes on…</p>
<p>In general, I would recommend Brevard for young pianists-- the faculty is quite strong and the level of piano playing pretty good.</p>
<p>That said, if your child can study with TJ Lymenstull at Interlochen, that would trump lots of other considerations.</p>
<p>Thanks, fiddlefrog. It sounds like you recommend Brevard over Interlochen, except in the case of the teacher you mentioned. But is it possible for a student to request a particular teacher at a summer program? Especially when there are umpteen students and teachers? Don’t you just “get” whoever you are given?</p>