<p>Hi everyone--My first post here!
My 14 yo soprano dd just received acceptances both to BUTI and Interlochen Solo Vocal Artists Program. She attended Interlochen last summer for the intermediate division and loved it, though I was less than impressed with the quality of the performances, both for operetta and chorus. They were fine; nothing great. She had a great experience learning theory, sight singing, etc. </p>
<p>Her voice teacher says YOU DON'T TURN DOWN TANGLEWOOD.</p>
<p>Socially: DD is pretty shy and not too worldly although she is from a big city. I hear Tanglewood has little supervision with lots of freedom to do whatever you want in the evenings? Does it have anything of a camp feel? Is there time to have fun? How is it to make friends? Etc. I also see the high school program is 14-19, so she will be one of the youngest kids…should I be worried?
Musically: She wants to focus on solo voice/opera, though she enjoys choral singing as well. I know something about what Interlochen offers, not too much about BUTI. Anyone have a sense of the caliber of the programs?
Financially: BUTI tuition is less expensive, and we can drive relatively easily, as opposed to Interlochen, which would require the expense of a flight/uniforms/flying out for a performance/etc etc etc. Michigan sure was beautiful, though. I was kind of excited to go back to Sleeping Bear Dunes.</p>
<p>Just wondering if people who have BTDT, especially with a kid on the younger/more innocent side, can share some info on both the musical and social aspects for both places?</p>
<p>Both are good programs. My T - a soprano went to Interlochen after 10th Grade and it was the right time for her, as they have more structured program there. She went to BUTI aftef 11th Grade - right time to get ready for college auditions, competitions, etc. Intelochen is designed more like a camp than a summer program - hence the uniform, the evening gatherings, etc. But you know that as your daughter was there last summer. I wouldn’t be concerned at that age with the number of performances and even the quality. It’s all about continuous training and experience. I know of kids who went to Interlochen every summer and got into very good music programs in good colleges. It all depends on your daughter’s feelings. BUTI is a very good program, with great vocal coaches, and voice teachers. It’s more intense and the kids pretty much have to fend for themselves.The dorms for the vocal program are not good at all, the vocalists are on the 2nd floor and it gets pretty hot and stuffy(especially last summer). The food is really bad! But as the kids have the option to go to Lenox(5-10 min walk) , they can buy food there. But then - why did you pay for the food on campus? The most appealing feature of BUTI is the opportunity to go to the concerts at Tanglewood. There are some concerts which are compulsory as part of their training, but ,most of them are up to the student. Most of the kids with my daughter, at least those who were serious about their music education, went to all of the concerts. They do provide them with a free ground pass for that. I personally think that BUTI is targeted to older students, as they prepare them for college auditions and performances.I hope that helps! Good luck to your daughter in the decision you all will make!</p>