<p>Got back last night (or rather, wee hours of today) from California. We had a wonderful trip. Teased S2 about his summer camp right out of "Holes." (NOT). Beaches on one side, mountains on the other. Every view looks like a postcard, whichever way you turn.</p>
<p>Music Academy of the West (MAW) is held on the grounds of an old mansion/estate just outside Santa Barbara. Beautiful facilities. The kids are housed at a boarding school in the mountains about 20 minutes away. Also beautiful. Weather is gorgeous. S2 says even the food is good.</p>
<p>We attended random rehearsals, a picnic concert, and a regular concert. The quality is outstanding. We barely got tickets - concerts are quite full. It is a favorite pasttime of the retired, rich folk in the area. (My H commented that he felt quite young.)</p>
<p>One aspect of the program that is different from others S has attended is the "Compeer" program. They match the students up with patrons - donors - sponsors - whatever you want to call them. All 6 horns are matched up with 3 couples who sponsor the horns every year. They attend all the performances, take the students out to dinner, to their beach house, just generally "be family" for the summer. We got to meet them, and they are really nice people. They act like the horns' personal groupies, waiting for them at the stage door, and generally acting like their very biggest fans. </p>
<p>(In talking with some of S2's friends, not all the Compeer experiences are as good. It is nice that the 3 couples sponsor the section together, because then the students get to be with other students. Some of the kids are sponsored individually, and it's not as much fun for them.)</p>
<p>I was surprised at the age of the students - there were many grad students, including some in their late 20s or early 30s. The program is for college or grad students only. The picnic concert is made up of solos and ensembles. My S's woodwind quintet performed while we were there. He'd done a solo the week before. It was like attending a concert entirely of winners of concerto competitions - everyone was fantastic.</p>
<p>Their daily schedule has an orchestra rehearsal every morning 9-12 except Sunday. The afternoons are various master classes, ensemble coachings, and practice times. He has a weekly private lesson as well. There is a concert of some sort nearly every Friday and Saturday, and sometimes other nights of the week. Some of the concerts might be faculty or guest artists. (Canadian Brass is coming later this summer.)</p>
<p>They have other perks for the students as well. They had auditions for the sub list for New World Symphony a few weeks ago. They have some schools coming to recruit (I remember Rice was on the list, don't remember who else).</p>
<p>The program is entirely free for participants, which is why we were able to splurge to take the trip out there. I keep getting mixed up about how long the program is. I said 8 weeks first, then corrected it after I saw something that said instrumental program was 6 weeks, but S corrected me again and said it is indeed 8 weeks.</p>
<p>Given all these benefits, you can imagine that the program is tought to get into. (S2 got in off the waitlist.) S2 says everyone there has the attitude that getting in was something of a crapshoot, like any other audition. He says playing with the orchestra is his favorite part - that it is a thrill to play with such talented people.</p>
<p>The picnic concert is held on the MAW grounds - everyone brings food and eats outside; the concert is held inside a hall. My S's group played just before intermission, and some people who saw us eating with S prior, came up and asked for our autograph. :) After the concert, S received several personal compliments, and one guy said "Now I like horns." It was enough to make a parent burst! (My S had given the introduction to the piece, and he is distinctive looking - has long hair - so people tend to recognize him readily.)</p>
<p>Can you tell I enjoyed it? :)</p>