Know any good music camps??

College Majors Music Major
21

<p>We strongly recommend Walden School, a 5 week summer program in Dublin NH, located in view of Mt. Monadnock. </p>

<p>[Summer</a> Music Camp and Summer Music Festival: The Walden School](<a href=“http://www.waldenschool.org%5DSummer”>http://www.waldenschool.org)</p>

<p>Walden is a little different in its emphasis on creativity and composition. Many very gifted instrumentalists attend, and there are opportunities to play the compositional works of other students in weekly forums and a final forum that is attended by the public.</p>

<p>I have read articles complaining about the emphasis on technique over a more holistic understanding of music, for students today. Walden is certainly an antidote for that.</p>

<p>They have daily classes in theory, solfege, musicianship; private composition lessons; elective classes in anything from electronic/computer music, film scoring, jazz, contemporary composers, unusual notation practices, extended techniques and orchestration, and so on.</p>

<p>The community is strong: there are mountain hikes, dances, evening singing. Kids from all over the world, which is an added benefit of attending.</p>

<p>Prominent musical ensembles visit every week (such as members of the International Contemporary Ensemble), as well as well-known composers (Joan Tower last summer). The final forum involves works by all 50+ students, 5-15 minutes long, with excellent visiting musicians who play the student pieces, which are recorded and can be used later in applications. The students themselves also have an opportunity to play in these forums, alongside the professionals, and the exposure to “new music” is invaluable.</p>

<p>When our daughter applied to conservatories, Walden was well known. One composition chair said, “Oh good, you are one of those,” meaning one of those “Waldenites.”</p>

<p>Obviously, we are very enthusiastic about this program. They do have very good financial aid as well.</p>

22

<p>Bluel Lake Fine Arts Camp also in Michigan. Often “over shadowed” by the other Michigan summer programs at Interlochen.</p>

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<p>I will put a plug in for Luzerne Music Center [Summer</a> Music Camp - Luzerne Music Center](<a href=“http://www.luzernemusic.org/]Summer”>http://www.luzernemusic.org/) $3350 for four weeks and scholarships are available. It is in Luzerne, NY in between Lake George and Saratoga Springs. My son enjoyed three years there.</p>

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<p>violadad: though it is true that some of the programs you mention are “tiered” - e.g., Yellow Barn, Aspen is not. Nor is it free for most students -it is pricey, though concerts are free. (For example, only the pianists in the collaborative program are funded, apart from a few special scholarships; some instrumentalists get funding by being in the orchestra for the conducting program). It does admit pre-college students, and if over 16, they can live in the dorms (but are subject to the Aspen city curfew of 11, and are supposed to be in their rooms at that time - the RA’s do check). The younger kids can go to Aspen and stay with their parents. There are always a number of these kids, whose mothers hang around the practice rooms all day supervising them; these kids get lessons from the faculty and some are also in the orchestras. My kid went in high school and it was a transformative experience, but it was not the same as a camp; the high school kids tend to hang around together, and some of them get a little crazy - there is virtually no supervision and there are no activities for them apart from the free concerts, which many don’t take advantage of. It seemed to me that a number of the younger kids were there because of parental pressure and were not having much fun, spending most of their time in practice rooms, and not interacting with the rest of the Aspen students, most of whom are in college. I’d say that only focused, mature, well-motivated high school kids are a good fit for Aspen. For someone in middle or early high school, a camp-like program can be a lot more fun, because there are activities. Greenwood, for example (it’s the one I know about), has treasure hunts, charades, sports activities, and wonderful counselors - that’s part of why the kids who go there love it so much; and there are very talented kids who keep going there because they love it, even though they could go to more “prestigious” festivals - some end up going on to Kneisel, which is a similar experience.
Most of these programs wind up costing about $1,000 a week.</p>

25

<p>To further clarify^^^^</p>

<p>Kneisel Hall “Chamber Music School” is for college age and above and is full fellowship. It is highly selective. As part of the program, Chamber Muisc School attendees work with high school or adults in the shorter (week long) programs for those folks.</p>

<p>[Kneisel</a> Hall Chamber Music Festival and School](<a href=“http://www.kneisel.org/]Kneisel”>http://www.kneisel.org/)</p>

26

<p>yes, Kneisel is only for college age students and is full scholarship; a number of Greenwood kids go there after high school, was my point - it is similarly a chamber-music focused program. (Joel Krosnick, who is on the faculty at Kneisel, is a Greenwood alum…)</p>

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<p>mamenyu, you’re probably right. Been a few years since I looked at Aspen’s details, and my addled brain recalled Aspen as being tiered, but maybe I’m recalling some of son’s peers that were there as fellows at the festival.</p>

<p>As far as nomenclature, many neophytes may use the term “camp” when they actually mean an immersion/training program. And then there are the festivals, like Hot Springs, Sarasota, Garth Newel. Unless one has a thorough understanding of the range of options, it can be confusing for someone dipping their toes in the water for the first time.</p>

<p>And for those interested in “freebies”, here’s the list <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/478123-free-summer-orchestra-programs.html?highlight=free[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/478123-free-summer-orchestra-programs.html?highlight=free&lt;/a&gt;, but these are extremely competitive and tis always smart to have a few back up options.</p>

28

<p>Another place is Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro NC. It’s not New England, but it is a great program that accepts both high school and college students.</p>

29

<p>Anyone have any experience with Domaine Forget in Quebec?</p>

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<p>t-boneParent, a couple of posts and one titled thread. All appear to be for strings however: </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064112331-post30.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064112331-post30.html&lt;/a&gt; (open the thread and scroll up to post 27)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063187831-post19.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1063187831-post19.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/2411091-post10.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/2411091-post10.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/177879-domaine-forget.html?highlight=domaine+forget[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/177879-domaine-forget.html?highlight=domaine+forget&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Just for reference, some search tips that may prove useful <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/892168-search-tips-other-insights.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/892168-search-tips-other-insights.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>And if you could clarify your mention here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064485263-post19.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064485263-post19.html&lt;/a&gt; of U of SC… is that U Southern Californla, or U South Carolina?</p>

31

<p>t-boneParent: My son attended Domaine for two weeks in July 2008. He had a very positive experience. Domaine generally segregates instruments into different weeks/months (brass in the first half of June, strings during July), so we have no first-hand knowledge of how the brass weeks run, but I suspect they are similar to the strings. </p>

<p>The setting is remote but beautiful, on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence. The dorms for high school boys are somewhat rustic, but the dorms for college students are much newer and nicer: your son might qualify for the college dorms (a friend of my son’s had just finished high school and spent her two weeks in the college dorms). </p>

<p>My son was in a program with a reasonable amount of structure, but some students have considerable freedom, which can, of course, be a good or a bad thing.</p>

<p>The trombone instructors look very good (Trudel and Alessi). Domaine often has a wider range of ages and calibres of students than many American programs: some could gain admission to the toughest summer programs and others are merely good high school musicians. There are good evening and weekend concerts. </p>

<p>The price is right (I believe US$1225 for two weeks or $650 for a single week). They do give scholarships, but the deadline for scholarship consideration was Feb. 15. Feel free to ask specific questions or to send me a PM.</p>

32

<p>I notice that some previous discussions on Domaine have raised the language issue (and not entirely resolved it). My son is Anglophone and had no problems at Domaine. All the instruction was in English for him. There certainly is French spoken on the campus, but you will not miss anything instruction-wise from not knowing any French. While there is a strong Quebecois presence, there are many students from the US and English Canada. The presence of French language and culture were positive features of the program for my son.</p>

33

<p>D attended a strings session last summer. I think it was four weeks. Musically she had a great experience: high level of chamber playing, very worthwhile instruction, interaction with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas as a highlight. Instruction and official communications were in English; a lot of the dorm chitchat was in French, which she found culturally interesting but on the other hand somewhat isolating. The other social drawback, from her point of view, was a fair amount of alcohol use amongst the high schoolers.</p>

<p>Violindad is right about the beautiful setting, and I believe the high school dorms were to be rebuilt for this summer so as to be not quite so rustic (if I remember right the buildings were originally chicken coops).</p>

34

<p>Re: Domaine housing, I should add that the high-school/college cutoff was strictly by age. Thus D, having graduated high school but not yet turned 18, was on the high school side. The two groups are called minors and majors, which D found amusing given it’s a music camp.</p>

35

<p>ARIA Academy at Mt. Holyoke College</p>

<p>New York Summer Music Festival (NYSMF) at SUNY Oneonta - two, four, or six week sessions.</p>

36

<p>OK…I realize it’s late to ask this question. I’m looking for a good music school or camp for the summer for my son. The following information background information is provided is assist with an answer:</p>

<p>Age-17
Grade- Junior, High School
Musical Instrument- Saxophone
Skill level/description- Definitely Intermediate. He’s been playing for 3 years. He’s the best in his school and has made the all Far East music band (chosen from all American schools in the Far East-primarily Japan and Korea). However, I realize his skill level is “good” relative to his competition here. He prefers classical although he plays Jazz as well. His passion is music. He has decided to continue his journey and furhter his education in music. In order to advance to the next level, he needs some serious, advanced-level lessons, which is why I’m seeking assistance in finding something this summer, to prepare him for college. I think with some proper training, he’s got the potential for a college scholorship (opinion from his teacher). California is our home state so that my first choice of locations but I’m open to any suggestion.</p>

37

<p>Interlochen (Michigan) is still taking applications for their 6-week program. It’s expensive, but it’s great. He may or may not be advanced enough, but it’s worth a try. You’re too late for Innerspark (Calif. State Summer School for the Arts), but it might still be worth a phone call just in case. Idyllwild in the soCal mountains is also passed its deadlines, but in this economy, you never know, there may be openings.</p>

<p>If none of the above or some other camp is not available, another option might be to set up something special for the summer with his private teacher–extra lessons, focusing on preparing for auditions, extra performing with a good community band or orchestra, extra very focused practice time.</p>

38

<p>[Blue</a> Lake Fine Arts Camp](<a href=“http://www.bluelake.org/index.html]Blue”>Site Ready)</p>

<p>Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, also in Michigan, often overshadowed by Interlochen for summer programs is an option. I “did” both at different times/summers when I was in jr. high and early high school and like them each for different reasons.</p>

39

<p>Pacific Music Camp - Univ. of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, Stockton, CA
Cazadero Performing Arts Camp, Cazadero, CA (Office is in Berkeley, though)
fun, appropriately developmental experiences
You can do more, too - these run two weeks each</p>

40

<p>Hi does anyone have recommendations for a primarily vocal based camp for an 11 year old for 2-3 weeks starting early/ mid July? Again, the New England region would be ideal…</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>