<p>Can anyone tell me something about NYSMF in Oneonta? I am looking for some opportunities next year for my composer son, and I noticed that they have a composition program. I also noticed they have a jazz performance program which might be of interest to him as well. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I attended this summer and loved it.
There are 3 2-week sessions. Some kids only attend one session, many attend 2, some go for all 3.
How old is your son and what does he play? There are tons of different jazz classes, ensembles, and combos based on level. The jazz faculty is WONDERFUL and they bring in all sorts of musicians for masterclasses. I had tons of friends who did composition and loved it. I went to one of the concerts - the kids in the class get to have their music played by faculty. It seems like a great program.
What do you want to know? I'll try to help.
VicAria is on this board and can also answer your questions from a parent's perspective.</p>
<p>And here she is!</p>
<p>My D has been going to NYSMF for 2 summers, and expects to be returning for summer 09. She has several friends in the composition program, all of them repeat students. D reports that they teach all levels of composition, from beginner to more advanced. As trumpetgirl wrote, the composition students' works are performed by the faculty every two-week cycle. D's observation was that the faculty is very thorough, and offer a lot of help.</p>
<p>The jazz performance faculty is terrific, mostly working musicians from the NYC area, who have ties to MSM, New School, Juilliard, NYC and CUNY. There are a ton of performance opportunities available, from jazz combos to big band. That is probably the very best thing about NYSMF -- ALL students, regardless of seniority or ability, have a chance to perform in public. Virtually every student will have a chance to shine on stage at at least one of the end-of-session concerts.</p>
<p>I would not describe NYSMF as a camp -- it is more like a pre-collegiate experience. It's pretty much all about music; students do not get full access to all the facilities at SUNY Oneonta, like the fitness center, etc. But there is a musical theater workshop and film-making for additional creative outlets. We have always found student morale quite high when we have visited. It is heaven for my D because she is 100% about music, and our small high school offers limited opportunities for her. So 6 weeks at NYSMF sates her "music geek" quotient, and makes the remaining 46 weeks tolerable.</p>
<p>When you look at the faculty involved, it's pretty amazing. You absolutely cannot beat the value-price ratio!</p>
<p>D attended when it was still based at Hartwick. It was a great first full time music immersion program and helped solidify music as her college major/career choice. As another poster said, its heaven for a kid wanting to immerse.She did it between soph/junior HS years,then did the Eastman program the following year.Its varied in nature combining performance with academic offerings which suited my D but another kid wanting all performance/studio might chafe somewhat.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the comments. My S is definitely looking for a full music immersion program where he can learn a lot. He feels certain this is the direction he wants to take in life, and can't see himself doing anything else. However, he is only in 9th grade. So, I want him to get a taste of what life as a music major in college would be like. He is very strong in music theory for a kid his age, and seems to really enjoy it, so I don't want something too basic. He has done some local music camps and weekend workshops, and they are a little repetitive. He is looking for more of a challenge, and to be with other kids who take music seriously. </p>
<p>He plays several instruments, including sax, guitar, piano, and electric bass. His first love is guitar, and if he wanted to participate more on the performance side, it would be in jazz guitar. However, in general, there aren't a lot of composition opportunities, so I might stear him in that direction for this camp.</p>
<p>I also want to get a feel for the size. He can fall through the cracks as he tends to be a little quiet at first. </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>My son studied composition with David Ludwig at the "camp" for two summers and had an outstanding experience. He left with a CD of very professional adult players performing his piece. I think it was instrumental (hm a music pun?) in getting him accepted to many wonderful colleges. He is studying music right now at the college of his choice.</p>
<p>Your son would fit in perfectly, age-wise. And his personality sounds fairly common for NYSMF attendees -- so he wouldn't fall through the cracks, the staff really makes an effort to bring out the best of each kid. Keisuke, the patriarchal figure of the camp, is fantastic with the kids.</p>
<p>How much did the program cost? How many students attend? Is housing at the dorms and food at the cafeteria? Does the program include rock? Is it run by Oneonta or just held there? Thanks for any info.</p>
<p>How much did the program cost? How many students attend? Is housing at the dorms and food at the cafeteria? Does the program include rock? Is it run by Oneonta or just held there? Thanks for any info.</p>
<p>Summer</a> Music Camp - NYSMF - New York Summer Music Festival - for Outstanding Young Musicians has all that information, and may be updated to reflect 2009 pricing. I'd say each session, there are 200-300 students. Housing is at SUNY Oneonta dorms, and food at one specific cafeteria (so far, this has varied each year, as to which dorms/cafeteria). No, the program does not include rock; just jazz and classical, although vocalists can explore musical theater, as well. SUNY Oneonta hosts NYSMF, doesn't administer it, and has been pretty "hands-off" in terms of trying to place their own music faculty at NYSMF. Last year, one choral director from SUNY Oneonta worked one session, and provided support for another.</p>
<p>My son attended NYSMF in 2010. The musical level was great but he and I both felt the kids were a bit undersupervised.</p>