Philmusic I’d message you individually, but I’m new to this and can’t quite figure out how to do that… I am wrestling with the required resume. They don’t ask for a repertoire list…did your son submit one?
He didn’t submit a full repertoire list but did indicate in the resume what he had performed at recent events.
Philmusic, my son is off to Eastman this summer. Will write back after with feedback. Now thinking more about practical issues, so any tips on what to bring, housing situation, Rochester in general certainly welcome!
@composermom If he is living in the dorms, be aware they are not air conditioned. They have small fans available, but you might want to bring one. Windows cannot be fully opened but they can be opened a bit, enough to help a fan pull air in. They usually give summer students single rooms, I think, and put guys and girls in separate floors. They will have an RA in the dorm. There are lounges, some of which have microwaves and/or TVs, and there is a big TV lounge and kitchen in the basement of the student living center, as well as the laundry room. The year my son did a summer program, they provided sheets and towels. Be aware the food options in the summer are rather monotonous (S says there is a better variety during the school year) so maybe include enough $ to eat out or get pizza on occasion or bring some favorite snacks or microwaveable items. There are several coffee places in easy walking distance, and a small grocery a few blocks away (sort of like a small, local version of Whole Foods). Let me know if you have any more questions and I’ll try to answer them.
Thank you classicalsaxmom! I get the impression he will have a roommate and will be quite warm in the dorm, but hopefully that will all work out well. Great tips re fan and food, will definitely do that.
@composermom here are some additional practical insights for Eastman to add to all the good stuff @classicalsaxmom has written: Dorms are basic but adequate, not as nice as one of my other kids enjoys at a Big State University. Rooms aren’t air conditioned, so bring a fan. Beds were lofted over desk in my son’s set up but I didn’t look at any others. Showers and toilets at end of hall, bring shower shoes. Your musician may have a roommate or may have a single. The dorms are set up in clusters of rooms on a single floor, perhaps ~12 students per cluster? As previously reported, each cluster has an RA. All the RAs I met were Eastman students and helpful. My son said the cafeteria was OK (if monotonous) and is in the dorm, but he is not picky and has no dietary restrictions. Coin operated washer/dryer in the basement of the dorm students can readily access. Bring an iron. Students can use the YMCA adjacent the dorm for free. Eastman closely controls access to the dorms. The dorm, YMCA, classrooms, performance spaces and everything else are all in a row across about 3 blocks of downtown Rochester. There is also a place to get coffee, a tasty sandwich shop, a little convenience store, and a couple other small businesses, so bring some extra spending money. The students were very strictly instructed to stay on those 3 blocks all the time and inside the dorm complex at night (don’t recall the hours). Downtown Rochester is struggling and I’m sure they were just working to ensure student safety. Again, they are very strict on these rules and likely for good reason. This said, we had no doubts about son’s safety or well-being. The staff did a good job throughout. Be ready to have a great time!
My D is returning for her 2nd year. In past years most kids got singles. It appears that this year they plan on giving most kids roommates. The rooms are small with very irregular shapes. I think that all have lofted beds. There is not very much room, so don’t bring a lot of extra stuff, but I would not come without a fan.
The program is very intense. It is not like programs such a Tanglewood where you spend most of your time practicing. The schedule is on the web page. They have theory, music history, musicianship, chorus, chamber, electives (improv or conducting) and (for comp) composition issues each every other day. Some of the classes have REAL homework (substantial papers involving research and projects). In addition, there are lessons (6) concerts and other classes. Add in practice, and there is not a lot of free time (except for Sunday). My D LOVED it. There is a coffee shop that most kids go to and they probably will want to eat out a few times. The YMCA has a great pool and great equipment.
There is really no need to leave the campus area. If you don’t there is no real safety issues.
Thank you! Sounds like they won’t be spending a lot of time in their dorm rooms anyway.
PAPAD, philmusic…should composers bring a laptop with a composition program? I’ve tried reaching out to Eastman on this but haven’t received a response yet…Minor question but I also wonder if the rooms have closets.
@composermom the rooms have a freestanding wardrobe in them with some shelves, a wet drawers and an area for hanging clothes. There is also a dresser with drawers. Can’t answer the computer question
I don’t know how they could make parts without Finale or Sibelius or similar software.
IN 2007, at Walden, which is low tech intentionally, kids did scores on manuscript paper and then made parts with scissors and copy machines.
I wouldn’t expect that to be true now, or anywhere else.
I can’t imagine a composition program that requires manuscript scores only.
@composermom I would bring whatever composition tools your child uses at home. It is hard to imagine today’s kids composing without software though.
The library computer room has computers with all of the major composing software and DAWs. That being said, a computer for use in the rooms would not be a bad idea. Just not absolutely necessary.
Even though my S uses finale, he actually does use pen/paper for composing often, esp. when he is in the car/traveling.
My composer kid also uses paper, but has to use Finale for parts. For a solo piece, not necessary! And these days software cannot always do what composers want so my kid uses Adobe something or other for graphic scores.
It sounds as if there are enough computers provided though, and maybe they want to have kids avoid composing in the room at night to keep them rested, who knows. Worth checking out.
I wanted to thank you all for your guidance and advice on this thread. Eastman was a great experience, and I was much calmer knowing what to expect. I’d PM some of you but I don’t think I have the ability yet.