NYU Steinhardt - Summer Piano Workshop

College Majors Music Major
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<p>Hello, I'm a sophomore in HS looking to become a music major in college. First off, I'd just like to say that this forum has been an incredibly helpful resource for me as I begin figuring out what kind of college education I want and what schools might be a good fit for me. I searched for a thread about this but didn't find anything - forgive me if it's already been discussed.</p>

<p>I definitely want to attend a music camp this summer for piano. The main three that I am considering are Eastman Music Horizons, the Summer Piano Institute at Ithaca, and the piano workshop that NYU offers. I've heard wonderful things about Eastman's program, and Ithaca also has a good reputation, though it's much less competitive from what I've heard. I really haven't heard anything about the workshop at Steinhardt, however, and was wondering if anybody had any experiences with it. How competitive is it, and how is the instruction? Any thoughts/ideas about the program would be greatly appreciated. See link for the specifics. Thanks!</p>

<p>The</a> Art of Solo and Collaborative Piano - Piano Studies - NYU Steinhardt</p>

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<p>I have also heard nothing but wonderful things about Eastman's Horizons. I know a friend who attended a chamber music program at NYU two summers ago, and told me it was a positive experience.</p>

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<p>In the summer of her senior year, my D was able to attend an NYU woodwind workshop and also attended the second session at Eastman. These experiences were very different. For the NYU program, she stayed in a dorm about a mile from Steinhardt. She was basically loose in the City, including having all her meals in restaurants. As long as she showed up for the program sessions, no one knew where she was or what she was doing. She had a great time in the City and the music experience was OK, but not exceptional. At Eastman, the summer kids are closely monitored and were restricted to a block and a half of one street. The off campus experience included a couple of small stores and a coffee shop. It was a month of intense music experience. Although these were Summer programs, both seemed to reflect the cultures of the respective schools.</p>

<p>My D had a Bf at Ithaca and visited numerous times. She did not attend any of the music camps and was pretty much unimpressed with music at Ithaca. She did apply and auditioned, but considered it only as a safety school. This might be a great program for other students who had fewer music opportunities.</p>

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<p>D attended a Steinhardt summer musical theatre program through the vocal performance (music) dep't at NYU. The programs are obviously different, but I wanted to point out a few things.</p>

<p>Hayden Hall is right on Washington Square Park, so your dorm would be about 2 blocks from the music building. When D did her program she stayed at the 13th dorms which is about 5 or 6 blocks away (about a quarter mile). I doubt they put students much farther for summer programs.</p>

<p>D was on a meal plan and there were organized programs at night. Students from several other NYU programs (including art) took part in these activites...theatre/ broadway/ concert tickets/ sightseeing/ movies/ karaoke and more.</p>

<p>Not sure if meal plan and activities are included in the piano performance program, but I'd look into it. (They do mention evening activities.)</p>

<p>Btw, D loved the program. It was extremely well run and taught by full-time faculty. As a result of the program, she is now a freshman in Steinhardt getting her BM in Vocal performance.</p>

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<p>I attended the Eastman Summer Music Horizons program in 2007 and have nothing but amazing things to say about it. One of the best experiences of my life. Definitely intense but, I didn't feel that it was too much. Everyone was extremely dedicated to their art, but there was a range of ability levels (I've kept in touch with many of the other students from the program and some were accepted to Eastman while others weren't). Most ended up at other fabulous music schools, while others decided on a completely different major. One of the best things about that program is that it shows you what it would be like to be a music major and to decide if its really what you want. It only helped solidify my desire to major in music. Best of luck and feel free to PM me if you have any more questions!</p>

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<p>Thank you for all of that info! For those who had experiences with the NYU program, what were performances opportunities like (location, etc.)? I know Eastman offers performances in Kilbourn Hall, which would be a real treat. I think on NYU's website, they just say "high-profile Manhattan venues", but I'd love to hear specifics if anybody knows.</p>

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<p>If you want more detailed information, why not email the address on the program description? I would guess you will still only get a vague response. The venue for solo performances is likely to vary depending on the skill of the pianist and it is likely that schedules will be flexible until an accessment is made. </p>

<p>I will add one more suggestion on the choice of Summer programs. For Eastman and most conservatories, participation in a s Summer program is not likely to make any difference when it comes to admissions. That was not the case at NYU. Because of the impression she made during the woodwind workshop, my daughter was strongly encouraged to apply. She did have to audition but that seemed to be more a formality and she was accepted with a very substantial merit scholarship. She decided to attend elsewhere partly because she decided that going to school in NYC would be difficult with too many distractions.</p>

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<p>This has all been extremely helpful. I've decided that I'll apply to all three, but I'm a little confused by Eastman's audition requirements.</p>

<p>First, here are the requirements for the recording:

[quote]
1. An Audition Tape or CD (10–15 min.) should include:</p>

<pre><code> * Instrumentalists: étude, sonata/concerto movement, or solo composition representing two centuries (if possible). Percussion tapes/CDs must include snare, timpani, and keyboards.

[/quote]

</code></pre>

<p>Does this mean exactly two pieces should be recorded? Does one have to be an étude, or can they be two pieces of any format that represent different centuries? For example, would a modern piece such as the Khachaturian Toccata paired with a movement of a classical/romantic sonata be acceptable? Just want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding this.</p>

<p>And now, here are the rest of the required materials:

[quote]
2. A complete application and medical form, plus the two pages for all students under 19 years of age, must be submitted, including:</p>

<pre><code> * A recommendation from your current ensemble or private teacher
* Musical resume including recent solo and ensemble music, honors, awards
* Application fee: $35 nonrefundable
* Applications and tapes will be reviewed within 48 hours of receipt. Current ECMS students may apply without submitting a CD.

[/quote]

</code></pre>

<p>By "musical resume", do they mean a recent repertoire list that also states honors/awards? How would one go about formatting this?</p>

<p>I'm somewhat new to this kind of thing, and I always say better safe than sorry. I appreciate your help!</p>

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<p>To answer your resume question, here's a link to some prior threads: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/615116-writing-music-resume.html?highlight=resume%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/615116-writing-music-resume.html?highlight=resume&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Quote:
1. An Audition Tape or CD (10–15 min.) should include:</p>

<ul>
<li>Instrumentalists: étude, sonata/concerto movement, or solo composition representing two centuries (if possible). Percussion tapes/CDs must include snare, timpani, and keyboards.</li>
</ul>

<p>Does this mean exactly two pieces should be recorded? Does one have to be an étude, or can they be two pieces of any format that represent different centuries? For example, would a modern piece such as the Khachaturian Toccata paired with a movement of a classical/romantic sonata be acceptable? Just want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding this.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The way I read it, it is two pieces from either the etude, sonata, concerto, or solo repertoire of contrasting styles (as inferred from the "representing two centuries"). I would concur your pairing would be acceptable, but when in doubt, it is always best to email or call the program and get specific clarification.</p>

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<p>Thank you, those sample resumes should prove very useful.</p>

<p>This might seem like a dumb question, but would it be appropriate to include achievements I've made in cello also (i.e. All-County, All-State, etc.), even though I'm applying for the piano program ? Considering it's a "music" resume, and not a "piano resume", it almost seems like it would make an applicant look more well-rounded as an overall musician to see accolades and achievements for both the primary instrument as well as other areas of musical study. Then again, it could be considered extraneous information.</p>

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<p>Bump... (I hate doing this, but any input would be helpful.)</p>

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<p>allegrovivace, I suggest you email Dr. Marilyn Nonken, head of piano performance at NYU with your questions. My D also had some questions about it, and we received a very helpful, personal response quite quickly. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks. Does anybody know how competitive the Eastman program is - how many pianists get in?</p>

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<p>Pianofam, I actually ended up attending Music Horizons at Eastman last summer, and I absolutely loved it. Like everything else, the competition varies from year to year. I’m not really sure how many pianists applied, but somewhere around 12 ending up attending the program, out of a total of about 60 musicians. The summer program is definitely not as selective as the actual school, but getting accepted is by no means easy. For what it’s worth, we were told that about 25% of the kids that attend Music Horizons actually get accepted to Eastman for college.</p>

<p>There was certainly a range of talent in all of the instruments - I know for piano, there was one student who had already won several national and regional competitions and was in a league of his own, and another who was really more of a jazz pianist who wanted to work on his classical chops. Some were playing Haydn sonatas, and some were playing Rachmaninoff concertos. Luckily, the program is very individualized, and you get to work with an excellent private teacher at a level appropriate for you.</p>

<p>I’d say that anyone who’s been playing for a while and really lives and breathes music has a good shot at making it in. I don’t think it’s as selective as a place like BUTI or Meadowmount, but you still get first-rate training and an awesome experience. Please, if you have any questions or just want to know more about it, PM me! I’d be happy to tell you about my experience.</p>