My son is a HS junior who’s been composing for about two and a half years. He participated in the Boston Conservatory high school composition program in the summer after his freshman year, and last year, he did the sonic arts program at Oberlin. He’s been accepted for Brevard’s program but is waiting to hear from Curtis Summerfest, which he’s been told might be a better fit for him. I haven’t found any conversation about the Curtis program here. Does anyone have any opinions/advice?
Just looked it up - no personal experience, except with one of the professors who is wonderful, and very supportive of young composers. Definitely looks like a good program.
Thanks so much! Still waiting to hear…
http://summerfest.curtis.edu/young-musician-programs/young-artist-summer-program/young-artist-summer-program-composer/ The Curtis program looks as if an effort was made to have diverse aesthetics among faculty and guest composers, with well-known, accomplished composers (Curtis itself has the reputation for a relatively conservative aesthetic but is of course one of the top two conservatories overall in terms of selectivity). It is three weeks, and includes seminars (I like the inclusion of discussion of competition, commissions etc.), lessons, score study, chorus and a performance (in a “recital” so not sure if this is a public performance) by instrumental faculty (not peers- they say this is “unique” to have Curtis Summerfest faculty play, but some programs also have visiting ensembles of professional calibre) of a piece written before coming to the program. There may be opportunities to write at the festival and have readings by peers. Nice to be in Philly if city life is a draw. The faculty concerts have interesting and diverse repertoire. Smaller program than Brevard, more intimate, at least for the program as a whole. High school and college students are mixed together. Cost is about $5800. (Those needing aid could apply earlier; there may still be some available but students are encouraged to look for local support.)
https://www.brevardmusic.org/institute/highschool/composition/ The Brevard program is six weeks long and includes seminars, lessons, music theory and literature, and chorus. 180 high school students total, not sure how many composers. Unlike Curtis’ faculty, I do not know much about the faculty at Brevard (I am in the Northeast) but they look great (one is pursuing a doctorate, the other two are accomplished professional composers). Brevard concerts are traditional, no “new music” listed. Students produce new works while there (I think this is a great feature of any program long enough to do good work), which are played by college participants in a group called “itch”, in a public concert. In the “New Songs” program all student composers set the same text for a public opera performance: is this too much to do in 6 weeks? Visiting ensembles are excellent (ICE) but don’t play student works. North Carolina mountains, accommodations, I have heard, are like camp. College age and high school programs are separate, though the two groups have opportunity to mix. Cost is $6800 but 70% get aid.
So, differences for Curtis versus Brevard: duration of 3 versus 6 weeks, piece written before versus during program, size, work played by faculty versus college participants, urban versus mountains, and I would check faculty for a good fit aesthetically. Curtis will possibly be more selective and “advanced” but I don’t know that. Both are excellent programs!
My son went to the Brevard program while he was in college, and liked it very much. At the time, I think there were only two high school composers there.