Meadowmount or BUTI(Tanglewood) for a non-music major

My son is in 10th grade. For this summer, he has been accepted to a couple of science research programs, one writing workshop, and music camps for viola. Viola is one of his long time EC’s but he has not won MTNA or Young arts or NYO. He has some local level awards.
As non-music major parents, we are trying to help him decide on which music camp he will do as he isn’t sure which one.
Both being virtual, Meadowmount is 7 weeks long, prestigous, and a good boot camp. BUTI is less selective for strings but it is only 3 weeks and fits my son’s schedule with other summer programs better. We actually think a 7 week virtual music boot camp would be stressful than educating.
If he gives up Meadowmount over Tanglewood, is he missing out something big? My honest opinion is that either camp could be good for resume-building and for a non music major, he should work harder on his science researches and SAT prep this summer. So I am leaning towards Tanglewood but my music major friends say the oppposite. Any thoughts?

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My daughter is a violist as well. she will not apply to conservatories but it’s a serious interest. She would not do an on-line music program b/c she finds them very limited in terms of value and really not enjoyable. Luckily, she has found in person good music options for this summer (fingers crossed!) Personally, I would recommend that your son do whatever he enjoys the most.

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Thank you for your response. As of today, he is leaning towards BUTI as he wants to explore other interests in the extra weeks he will gain. Best wishes to your daughter!

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My daughter, a non-music major in applied math, went to Meadowmount. After the initial shock at the rustic nature of the camp, she absolutely LOVED every second of it. That said, for your purposes, I’d go with Tanglewood. It shows the commitment to music that colleges will see as a positive, and it won’t be hours upon hours of virtual playing. To me, having been through it with one of my kids, and recognizing the extremely high value of Meadowmount - it’s an absolute no brainer. The solitary nature of meadowmount is mitigated by the camaraderie of the nights and weekends. All that is lost virtually and seven weeks is just too long. Tanglewood will be fantastic, it’s more group oriented, and he will then have time for other pursuits. Good luck.

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Sorry the other thing I meant to say is that Meadowmount showed my daughter that she did NOT want to major in music. She said, after the beloved camp, that she didn’t have it in her to practice like that for the rest of her life. For that alone, the camp was invaluable. She plays piano for the Opera Society and violin for the Bach society at college. So toes still in music, but with an academic major.

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