<p>My daughter has recently been accepted (for Summer 2008) to both Eastman's Summer Music 3-week piano performance program for HS students AND ALSO to Brevard's 7-week piano performance program for Young Artists. Since the deadline for making her choice is next week, I was hoping to get some timely objective (and subjective) advice from folks on this forum about the pros/cons of each program, in terms of learning atmosphere (program, environment, instruction quality/time), prestige (resume building), networking, etc. etc. She was granted a 25% merit scholarship to Brevard which helps offset the higher cost of that program, though it is nearly $1k more expense, albeit for >2x the length of time in the program. Does anyone have any experience with either? both? Any advice and/or additional perspectives would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for the help.</p>
<p>My S attended Eastman for 2 summers and loved it. Is your D thinking of eventually attending either place? Summer is a great way to get a feel for the campus/faculty/facilities/atmosphere. It is also a place for the faculty to get to know your D. When audition time comes around, she'll feel a lot more comfortable if she knows her way around the facilties, knows some faces. My S is a graduating senior and was accepted to Eastman as were several other students he knew from the summer program (not piano though).</p>
<p>tango14: Regarding Eastman's Summer program, do you know: 1) whether the same Eastman music school instructors actually are involved in the summer program or is it the Community school instructors? 2) how much individualized one-on-one time is provided by the faculty? 3) how many students attend the summer program? 4) did you feel that by attending the E summer program, your S had a better "in" on getting accepted to the music school? 5) did your S's music abilities significantly "grow and learn" the 3 weeks he was there?</p>
<p>One thing that I want to "count" by her experience this summer (and the next---she is a rising junior) is whatever she ends up doing will become a springboard for college. So, in some sense, whatever she is able to add to her college "resume", needs to "count". I'm not sure whether attending Eastman or Brevard will look better, including being a better academic experience for her. Clearly, getting exposure to the staff at Eastman will be very valuable as a solid reputable music school. On the other hand, the faculty at Brevard are from a number of colleges/conservatories---albeit, probably a little less prestigious overall.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on this perspective?</p>
<p>Spidermonkey,</p>
<p>1) S did jazz & most were regular faculty with a few CS instructors (including his instrument). Don't know about piano.
2) There was not much one-on-one time. More like master classes.
3) There were about 50-60, I think.
4) Attending summer program is recommended for the jazz major. You might check on the Eastman Website to see if piano major has a similar recommendation.<br>
5) Absolutely. We are in a small town where S was from an early age the local "prodigy." Knowing that for college he would be competing against kids who had gone to arts high schools, had stiff competition from peers, lived in big cities with lots more and better performing opportunities, were in community programs at major conservatories, he & we were nervous. Summer camp showed him that he was better than some there and could be as good as the best. It really motivated him to practice. He was serious prior to that, but he subsequently doubled his practice time, and in the months since camp (almost 2 yrs. now), I can count on one hand the number of days when he didn't play his instrument at all. </p>
<p>Again I don't know how this experience transfers to piano, but I've found the regular Website helpful about tips to prepare for admission, and this was one of them for jazz. I know piano is extremely competitive. The Website says that there are something like 150 or so UG applicants for jazz each year, about 40-50 pass prescreening and are invited to audition, and they enroll 10-15. </p>
<p>Hope some of this helps.</p>
<p>tango14: Thanks much on this perspective on Eastman.</p>
<p>...this is a little bit of a belated update, but I thought maybe it would help others who are considering Eastman's Summer program for high school students and are unsure about what Eastman has to offer.</p>
<p>My D ended up attending Eastman's Summer 2008 Horizons program despite being offered scholarship assistance at Brevard. A very intense experience for her but only 3 weeks so... It was a small group (61) of performers across all music disciplines (voice, piano, woodwind, percussion, etc., etc.). The experience was quite broad as she had individual private lessons, group ensemble lessons, chorale. I think she felt intimidated by her being one of a few selected from around the world, being on her own so-to-speak, in an urban setting, etc. but at the end of the three weeks was comfortable with it all. The Eastman folks did a great job regarding ensuring the security, safety, welfare of the kids. The instructors were top-notch and engaged while provided enough flexibility for my D to learn to apply discipline herself to accomplish what she needed to. </p>
<p>I am not certain what she will want to do next summer. She may consider Eastman again because it was a good experience; she may want to consider another option for additional experience and resume building. </p>
<p>All-in-all, as a parent, I would recommend Eastman's Summer program.</p>
<p>spidermonkey,</p>
<p>It's great to hear that your D had such a positive experience. It sounds so much like S2s reaction and our perception of the program. He's a freshman now, flourishing, and loving it every bit as much as he thought he would.</p>