<p>Hi,
Is there anybody who has experience at this summer program?
If yes, can you compare with other top string program in this country?</p>
<p>My son went to Pilsen for two summers and had a fabulous experience. The program is very strong for strings: not quite at the level of Aspen or Academy of the West but considered better for college students than Meadowmount or Green Mountain.</p>
<p>Is Pilsen really considered better than Meadowmount? One of the best student cellists I know (Curtis student), as well as other really fine college age cellists go to Meadowmount. I’m not challenging your statement, only curious.</p>
<p>From the little that I know, Meadowmount would be a much more competitive admit than Pilsen (i.e. know a couple of people that did Pilsen that would never get into Meadowmount). So, like you, glassharmonica, I suspect that the overall level of playing at Meadowmount is higher than at Pilsen. Perhaps Skie means that Pilsen’s structure and location are more appropriate or desirable for a college-aged student. I know nothing about Green Mountain, so I can’t compare it (but perhaps its lack of fame says something). In any case, Pilsen does have some well-regarded teachers.</p>
<p>Violindad, I agree. I know many students (high school age, however) who have gone to Pilsen who I would not think are Meadowmount calibre. I also know nothing about Green Mountain. From what I have been told by college age students, Meadowmount is a very different experience for students over 18 than for minors.</p>
<p>Yes, Meadowmount has a different set of rules (as do many places) for college students: it isn’t quite the legendary practice prison for them that some have claimed it is for high schoolers! I think that most college students would prefer the Pilsen non-musical experience over several weeks in the secluded pastoral insect-ridden isolation of upstate NY that Meadowmount offers. My son spent 5 weeks studying in an eastern European former Soviet-bloc country two summers ago and absolutely loved the history, architecture, culture, food (well maybe not the dorm food, but certainly the non-dorm food), people etc…</p>
<p>I just looked at the Pilsen website. It’s a strings camp, which makes it comparable to Meadowmount but not to Aspen or Music Academy of the West, which Skie mentions (Aspen and MAW are full orchestra programs, plus opera.) But it is more comparable to Heifetz, which is the OP’s concern (gleaned from her other posts.) Heifetz does not have a chamber orchestra and there is not much orchestral emphasis, IIRC. They seem to share some of the same faculty (although not on the same week!) Since the OP’s son is still in high school I think he could benefit from either Pilsen or Heifetz, although from what I have heard of Pislen, Heifetz is in a more beautiful setting. My sense is that Heifetz is a tougher admit, although that doesn’t necessarily mean it would be a better experience. Living in Europe for a few weeks will have benefits for any American high school student.</p>
<p>Thanks, Glassharmonica, violindad and Skie. Your advice is really helpful.
I will discuss with my S with those advices.</p>