Music Festival Master List

<p>Just wanted to second goodbooks’ wonderful review of Apple Hill. It may not be the “name” program to put on your resume but it’s a wonderful (really really) rustic musical experience.</p>

<p>Great information, goodbooks on the shorter camps/festivals. I think nurturing, shorter programs can be of tremendous value for young players. My son started with Cannon Music Camp after eighth grade-no audition, three weeks long and a lovely mountain setting (Appalachian State University). There was a range in playing ability but he had an excellent teacher (NC symphony member) and came back home excited. One of the young players there that year (I think he was a rising 11th grader), went on to IU for undergrad, MSN for the MM and is now in the New World Symphony. I think the low pressure was probably very helpful to him. It obviously did not hurt him. According to S, that young man did not attend a six week festival until the summer after his senior year in high school.</p>

<p>Ooops-I meant MSM.</p>

<p>I third the recommendation for Apple Hill. My daughter spent a session there a while back and it was lovely.</p>

<p>I’m glad other folks have had good experiences at Apple Hill, too. It’s one of those places that I think “need” to exist.</p>

<p>Another thought I had for people looking for shorter summer programs is to consider the grandparents. Not having them pay, although I am sure that would be appreciated by anyone here!, but search for programs where they could help out. </p>

<p>For three years my daughter attended a chamber music day camp that was local to my parents. It was small, but had really good faculty and college-age mentors. My daughter got to attend a week of Only Grandchild Camp and make music at the same time - a perfect introduction to music beyond her local orchestra. </p>

<p>Even if you are able to participate in chamber music or orchestra during the school year, there is something truly special about attending a “festival.” It’s a different sort of intensity, more spirit-filled if you know what I mean. People tend to be more relaxed, focused, and happy. </p>

<p>Someone I know used to vacation with her family to a scenic place where her kids could participate in a music camp. They would tent to keep expenses down. I think they were able to leave the instruments with the music director at night for safety, that would be something to consider. </p>

<p>Cities probably have lots of music options if a family can figure out some way to make that work. My husband has a job that requires him to take week-long training sessions once in a while, and they are always in cities. We (the kids & I) were able to see Washington, DC thanks to that hotel room! </p>

<p>One mom had a skill - maybe graphic design? - that she traded with a very good music camp for a partial tuition waiver. A school nurse works at a summer camp (not music) and her kids have been able to attend for free in lieu of a salary. </p>

<p>Anyone heard from Kent/Blossom?</p>

<p>I started a thread on this but didn’t hear back, so thought I would ask here. Does anyone have any experience with Festival Hill at Round Top? My son will be going there this summer and just wondered what you all thought. Thanks.</p>

<p>Waiting to hear back for a scholarship. Ugh. The waiting is killing me. I’ll probably have to do paperwork while out of town. </p>

<p>Have written to request additional aid based on changed income scenario but have not heard back. The deadline looms. What to do? It is D’s absolute first choice. </p>

<p>I’m in the same boat. We leave town early Thursday and our hold on amtrak expires wednesday. I already asked if scholarship info asap. A few days has turned into a few weeks. I’ll have to do all paperwork from out of town without my son present.</p>

<p>D is a first-timer to the festival scene so we really didn’t know what to expect re: admissions and funding. The fest in question encourages students to seek outside funding, but with less than a week’s notice prior to the deadline for deposit, how are we supposed to do that?! Feeling horrible as a parent; want this so much for D!</p>

<p>Opt for shorter camps to make it affordable. We will if we need to. You are not a bad parent. </p>

<p>I do think this is good practice for next year. Every camp uses a different way to send auditions. I am not computer savvy and even my teen didn’t know how to best compress video. At least I learned how.</p>

<p>Don’t count yourself out yet. Today is the response deadline for the college kids so maybe that means you will hear shortly. If for some reason the aid you receive isn’t sufficient I recommend that you contact them immediately and explain the situation. Maybe nothing will happen but money sometimes frees up or is otherwise made available extremely late in the game with certain camps and revised offers are made. This has happened for my daughter and for other kids I know – long after the whole thing seemed dead and buried… </p>

<p>Thanks, stringpop. Maybe I will hold tight a tiny bit longer. As for opting for a shorter camp, well, D didn’t get into the shorter camp she applied to, nor the local camp she applied to (both of which would have been more affordable). She got into the fancy camp. She did apply for a shorter session, but there is still a gap. Making me crazy! </p>

<p>Followup question for those who have traveled these roads before: Is part of the aid issue due to being a first-timer? (Was D offered a “starter” package, to see if she would come? And is more offered to repeat students?) I’m probably putting too much thought into this. </p>

<p>I don’t know about the repeat student factor, and haven’t heard anyone mention it. When my daughter was a sophomore in high school she went to Brevard and received generous aid (which included work study). She’s returning this year as a college student – because she likes it and also because her college violin prof teaches there – and received roughly the same amount, percentage wise at least. </p>

<p>Oh, and the teachers have no input into the aid process, so that wasn’t a factor either.</p>

<p>As someone who has had to make tough money choices with regard to camps and other things music related, I know EXACTLY how you feel. It’s no fun. Hang in there! </p>

<p>I just got scholarship info…small. I’m appealing. Would stating traveling across the country with his instrument is an added expense and to increase it? I have to have extra funds available in case the amtrak people "forget " their policy.</p>

<p>In my experience, there is not a lot of scholarship aid for camps in general until you move up to the level of festivals that do not charge tuition (and even then there are usually expenses like transportation.) My daughter never received any camp scholarship until she was accepted to these festivals, and not until college.</p>

<p>I’m debating having a benefit concert or not to raise funds but that is time consuming. I was hoping for the longer camp. Glassharmonica or anyone, any words of wisdom for the pros for the longer camp versus shorter? I just have discuss with my husband the cost benefit of the longer versus shorter camp </p>

<p>A longer camp can be a great experience. My daughter’s shorter camps have been life-changing, however. </p>