Trying to view other people’s opinions about this… My almost 16 yo daughter (sophomore) got accepted to both Intelochen and Tanglewood (still waiting from Curtis and Aspen).
Do people have first hand experiences with either and can comment on pros and cons? Faculty/size of the program(how many pianists they take a year/private instruction/opportunities to really connect with teachers well?
which instrument does your daughter play?
Piano
congratultions! Those are prestigious. All the chioces are so good, it is difficult to just choose one of them. All the best!
Thank you!
My kids went to BUTI (Tanglewood) and one went to Aspen. Very happy with both. Will send private message.
Can anyone give feedback on their student’s experience in the M Pulse Summer Voice program at UMich? I can post separately, but figured this thread is summer- program specific. Thank you in advance!
@Baribassmom no MPulse experience, but you may have luck on this other thread:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/2112895-time-to-think-about-summer.html#latest
Daughter went to Tanglewood and Interlochen. Liked the independence of Tanglwood. Found Interlochen to be a bit too strick. I think I remember her not being able to have a phone.
It was a few years ago so things may have changed.
We’ve done Oberlin and Tanglewood for summer programs and my son (vocalist) got a lot out of each. Tanglewood is very high level and the kids do have some autonomy. My kid said the food was horrendous, so a lot of them would walk into town and eat. If that matters one way or another to your kid! But he said his musicianship skyrocketed because of the program. I’ve heard great things about Aspen. My second son was just accepted into Interlochen, but because of expenses, we most likely will not do it this year. But many of my kids friends have done Interlochen and loved the atmosphere and the training.
Thank you!
@evemaruna - Does your daughter know who she would study with at either place? That would be a deciding factor for me as well as anything my kid’s teacher had to say about the choices. (Good luck on the places you have yet to hear from!)
Interlochen is very much a “camp” place. We almost sent one of our boys as a youngster (he was an advanced string player for his age) so he could get the sleep away experience, but ultimately decided the experience was not worth the price. This is my personal bug, but I didn’t like that the kids cleaned the cabin toilets at the price I was paying for a music experience. Others will disagree which is absolutely appropriate - each family makes decisions as to what is best for their kids!
We didn’t ever send any of “ours” to Interlochen, but I visited a few summers ago with a close personal friend and colleague who graduated from the Academy. I am probably very naive, but both of us were rather stunned to discover a high school boy/girl couple in the throes of a passionate encounter when we happened to cut through an open building on the way to an evening concert. No counselor or adult supervision (or building security) any where in sight. That got us looking around - our impression was that there were many older students just hanging around - no activities, no required concert attendance(?), practice cabins in the early evening were silent. I don’t know if this was a typical evening, but I have had my kids and step-kids at other festivals/camps where they were practicing, attending required recitals/concerts, evening activities, etc. so I was surprised. Again, this was just my “one off” experience; it could well be that my observation is not usual!
If anyone has info on interlochen, I can’t seem to find reliable reviews anywhere, by that I mean that they’re always super bad or extremely good. It’s very expensive and I don’t want to waste a ton of money on a camp that doesn’t end up helping me grow. Any opinions on why people love/hate it so much?
@AvocadoOptemist - 2 questions first that might help people (at least me) answer you.
- I take it you are the student (not parent)?
- Are you a musician - if so what instrument or voice? Or another art interest - dance, drama, fine arts, etc?
I can comment on Interlochen’s very high tuition. I did some research on other music programs that are frequently mentioned here. All are 6 week programs:
Interlochen - 9600
BUTI - 7720
Heifetz - 5900
Bowdoin - 6850
Brevard - 7400
@musicaspirant I am a student. I know this is a music related thread, but I’m going for their creative writing program. I’m looking for a sort of general overview of what the camp is like because I’m having problems knowing what to expect/if it’s worth it.
@Musicaspirant Thank you for your feedback. To your question: my daughter does NOT have any connection to any of the faculty members in either institution. Still waiting for Curtis and Aspen to reply, although I am starting to think Aspen might be too long of an experience for her this summer, and where the average age is 22 the same issue you are describing in Interlochen review will happen.
Thanks @AvocadoOptemist.
I can’t be much help. We are a music family so our focus on assessing Interlochen’s program offerings was always based on the music. I can tell you that I/we have known students who have attended (and the parents who sent the kids) stretching for over at least 20 years. (not to mention Hubby and my own familiarity as we were coming along in our own student years)
These are the non-music program criticisms I have heard multiple times from high schoolers:
1). Bunk facilities being too rustic
2) Food being awful (this was my experience visiting a couple years ago - hopefully things change)
3) The uniform making high schoolers feel ridiculous and childish
4) “Rules” that were not in line with what the kids’ high schools and homes expected from them. for instance, Phones used to be disallowed, I think maybe that has changed, but I would check on that.
5) Counselors/staff that were not significantly older than the older high schoolers and not always as effective as could have been expected.
6) For serious kids, personal practice time was not sufficient as they were in orchestra rehearsals for 3 hours daily and then tired out. I don’t know how the creative writing area is organized, but you might check on a typical schedule to see if it meets your personal requirements.
7) Expectation for "camp"activities and requirements to clean the bunk and toilets. I understand the “activities” vary from year to year depending on who is hired for recreation and as counselors. I do know one boy whose leg was broken during an “activity”.
As you say, for every criticism, there are those that “love” their time. I think it all depends very much on what an attendee wants/needs from the experience and how the Interlochen experience compares with what options are available at home during the year. For instance, my kids studied with “destination” string teachers and had excellent youth orchestra and chamber music programs so they regularly experienced 9 months of the type of offerings available at Interlochen for 6 weeks. Can you get some help from a current teacher or other mentor in evaluating the program and instructors for the Creative Writing program you are interested in?
I also wonder how Interlochen might compare to other Creative Writing programs, perhaps there are some for comparison? University based perhaps? I’m sure you’ve explored that…
I hope others will weigh in for you!
@evemaruna, what I really meant is “Has your D been assigned a teacher for Interlochen?” I assume she can request, but I wondered if your D’s current teacher could give advice on the teacher choices for your options. Some places let students know who they will study with before they accept/arrive, others don’t.
High school Aspen students have different rules from college Aspen students. Of course, romantic entanglements can occur any where, and I would expect them at a college age. I did check Interlochen’s website out of curiosity. Students are unscheduled and free in the evenings which explains the numbers my friend and I saw milling around.
I just re-read your original post. Very good questions - if no one can answer here - I wouldn’t hesitate to call and ask to speak to some one who can give you answers. These summer programs are expensive - no need not to try to find out what one is buying!!
@Musicaspirant yes, absolutely.