Any thoughts about summer music programs (i.e. camps, festivals, workshops, etc.) the summer after senior year? Did your kids do them, or are they planning to do one? Son has been to Interlochen the last few summers but, to be honest, I’m thinking he’s outgrown it at this point. Not that he wouldn’t have fun or learn something from the faculty, but not sure it would be worth the $$.
Or are there programs that are more geared toward incoming freshman, or collegiate musicians in general – or would he be out of place? He won’t be 18 until the fall.
My kids are older, so my thoughts may be out of date, but I’ll help you bump this good question up.
Have you talked with your S’s teacher, or has he talked with the teacher? I think you are a jazz parent?? Way out of my field, but perhaps there is an ensemble director that your S works with that might be able to guide the two of you?
I think I would be looking for places specializing in the jazz field, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to suggest any for you from real knowledge. I think Berklee has programs??? Try searching the threads here, maybe some have gone in past years.
My kids, string players, did do “camps” before starting Freshman college year, but these were “practice” camps that enrolled both high school and college students by audition. My kids studied with teachers they were already familiar with - there was lots of continuity. I personally would not recommend Interlochen to high school graduates who are entering competitive conservatories/schools, but I know others will disagree with me and their perspective is also valid. Depends on the kid, the needs, the history, the faculty available and the money the parent has to spend on summer programs.
My VP daughter will do a summer program with her current teacher in France or a conservatory opera program in Italy. Many excellent conservatory/uni music teachers participate summers study abroad and if your a HS grad these are great opportunities the summer before college. Travel and music. Nothing better.
@ScreenName48105, my son did two programs during the summer after he graduated from high school and felt both were worthwhile. One was the Stanford Jazz Workshop and the other was the Skidmore Jazz program. Stanford has two weeks of jazz camp, which is primarily geared to high school students, and one week geared more towards adults, which they used to call the Jazz Residency and I think they now call the Jazz Institute. My son did the latter, which admits kids 17 and under by audition and is a little more intensive. The faculty was amazing and he made connections there, both among the faculty and the students, that he is still happy to have made (four years later).
After devoting his high school years to prepping for getting into his dream school, he took the summer to relax for once. Went overseas with his choir and had a blast, and took a couple CLEP tests which was a really cheap and easy way to earn some credits and get some general ed out of the way. He didn’t even take lessons over the summer, continued working on his own to prepare for his placement audition once he got to school. I’m glad he took advantage of some down time, as he is auditioning for summer jobs and may never have that chance again.
My son spent the summer before college relaxing and working but he also practiced a lot and worked hard with his private teachers so he was in good shape when they had placement auditions his freshman year.
If your son is doing Jazz then Berklee’s program is fantastic. It would offer a full experience (similar to what your child will be doing in college) and may provide a step up when your student arrives Freshman week because your student will have gained experience playing in a diverse ensemble.
My plan was for my D to work and earn her spending money. I wanted her to feel she had a stake in her college costs.
She was invited to a European program after a college audition (something that may also happen). But her current teacher felt she wasn’t ready for the level of the program. Plus we had to decide quickly. And as always with music there seemed to be complications…maybe a conflict bx teachers at the school if she accepted the offer from a different teacher but went on the program with another…jeez. I really didn’t want to figure that out. So in the end we passed as it really wasn’t something we were considering. Not saying an offer is bad…it just didn’t work in this case.
But my D isn’t an instrumentalist and we live in a city so she did do a good (light) program here and sang with her teacher while she worked. It was nice to have that final summer together. She spent a lot of time with friends too as they would all be going separate ways.
The Port Townsend Jazz Festival in WA state fabulous if you are looking for a jazz festival. There are many college and high school students who go. It is lesser known gem that many Jazz pros attend. John Clayton heads it up.
That said, S spent his summer relaxing and practicing before the start of college.
Some have trouble with transitions and going away for a part of the summer, coming home, and then leaving “for real” is very stressful. They can work with a teacher or not, practice, and spend time with friends and family as others have said.
Then again, a summer program might build confidence and connections with peers and teachers that make entry in the fall less stressful.
ps. Another possible reason to wait for any more summer programs is that sometimes colleges provide funding
Lots of great feedback – thanks! My son plays jazz sax.
@jazzpianodad, he’d looked at the Stanford program last year (I believe Joshua Redman was involved and my son’s a huge fan) but I think he chose Interlochen for the longer program. But the shorter Institute may be just the ticket this summer, so thanks for the recommendation.
@momsings, never heard of the Port Townsend Jazz Fest but that looks great! John Clayton did a masterclass for one of my son’s bands last year and they really enjoyed it. Looking through the 2015 photos, we spotted Bob Mintzer, Steve Wilson, Sean Jones… all his heros. Wish we’d known about it last year!
@compmom, fortunately for my son, considering the field he’s going into, he loves to travel, go to new places, play with new people, etc. Basically anything that doesn’t involve calculus.
My son spent his summer before college working for spending money, gigging locally, summer tour with his music program and preparing for placement auditions. He was going away soon enough so having him home for most of the summer was definitely a plus
Does anyone have experience with California Summer Music Program at Sonoma. My 15 year old son was accepted into the composing program. I would so love to talk to someone who attended. thanks!
@Karenktc My son attended the program years ago as a composer - after junior year of high school - so almost the same age as your son. It was the only summer program he’s ever attended. He loved the main teacher, had a great time composing - it’s almost all free time, but didn’t enjoy the concerts, which were exclusively 18th & 19th century music, except for the last concerts with the composition students’ pieces. The year he went he had to put together his own ensemble to perform his piece, and there was some surprise at the extent to which he expected them to practice it! (But that’s an ongoing issue.) The visiting composer is always someone of interest. It was definitely a worthwhile experience. It was also useful to get feedback on his talent from outside his immediate circle.
He attended when it was at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, so the forest and the walking distance proximity to the gorgeous coastline added to his enjoyment. I don’t know what it’s like at Sonoma State. (Feel free to PM me.)
