<p>No kidding about Aspen?! It's not all based on the audition??? I'm shocked.</p>
<p>Aspen can be very slow; it looks like they just processed the application fees. Good luck!</p>
<p>Cosmos, you've got a tough list, no one is an easy in (unless you have an instructor that wants you there). But, from what you described and earned before (like NYSSO), they are the ones you appear capable of getting into, and the ones you should be shooting for.</p>
<p>A lot depends on particular competition at any given place in any given year.</p>
<p>From my son's experience some years you have more offers than you can handle, in another year, you may be scrambling.</p>
<p>Good luck on the rest.</p>
<p>It's always a good idea to have multiple applications in- especially if shooting for the "top" (often full scholarship) programs.</p>
<p>Re teachers bringing their own students: DH and I have attended a certain very selective festival each summer for the past 10 years. Each year, 1/3 - 1/2 of the attendees are current or former students of the instructors teaching at the festival. Not that they aren't fine players who don't deserve to be their in their own right - they are cream of the crop. I'm sure the affiliation didn't hurt their applications, however!</p>
<p>Also, I know of one student (violin) who proudly recounts sending in a blank audition CD to a selective (although not full scholarship) program. The student was a current student of the requested teacher. Admission came through with no questions asked. Can't verify the story's veracity, but I have no reason to doubt it!</p>
<p>Why would a student's own teacher want to listen to a CD? The purpose of the CD is to allow the teachers who don't know the student to decide whether they want to accept the student into their studio. I think not requiring a CD for a known student is not uncommon.</p>
<p>I failed to indicate the requirements for the program with the blank CD submission.</p>
<p>You are correct, Mamenyu, some festivals/programs do not require CD's for returning students or those known to the faculty. This would be clearly stated in the application procedures.</p>
<p>However, for the program I wrote about every student was required to submit an audition CD with mutiple contrasting works no matter how many times they had previously attended or whether or not they were known to faculty. This program always has more applicants than spots available in studios, so a number are rejected each year. Presumably, there could have been a rejected applicant who actually played better than the student submitting the balnk CD. In other words, "teacher's choice", not necessarily full merit as Cosmos experienced. (Just a statement - I don't intend a moral judgment here!) As well as the fact that other applicants played by the rules and this one didn't...</p>
<p>One of the problems in applying to programs like Aspen is not knowing who else is likely to apply, i.e., whether the particular teacher will be mostly bringing his/her own students. It also is tricky figuring out what order to list the possible teachers in. And the timing of notifying applicants is not coordinated, which can pose dilemmas.</p>
<p>The experience I had is this: </p>
<p>Two students of one of the teachers at Aspen were accepted to Aspen, even though both are really not too good. One of them didn't get into the two-week programs at BUTI which aren't too hard to get into, and the other actually ended up being booted from that teacher's studio for not making progress fast enough. If she was booted during the year, it's not like she was a star during the summer! Being kicked out of a studio is a pretty big deal. </p>
<p>It's just annoying to me because I know that I am better than those two and just as good as many of the other students accepted to Aspen, but I don't know if I'll get in this year (and have some where to go this summer) just because of teachers' biases towards their own students! One of the teachers told me he wanted me to apply, but I'm not his student so who knows what will happen.</p>
<p>Schleswig told me that they really liked my recording, but just didn't have room for me this year. They told me to try again next year. Marlboro told me they liked my recording, but I'm too young for their program and I should try again when I'm older... I think I have a fair shot at Aspen, but I don't want to be rejected and have nothing to do this summer just because teachers want to take their own students over qualified ones! It's extremely unfair, but that's life I suppose.</p>
<p>I'm a bit surprised by the number of students who want to study with their own teacher over the summer. My kids have always avoided summer programs where their teacher would be - they prefer the opportunity to study with someone new. </p>
<p>Just like college admits, some summer programs leave us scratching our heads. S has a friend who was the top student at a respected program last year, and was pretty much told, fill out the ap for next year, and you're in. Well, she was rejected! I was all for fighting it - I'm sure there was a mistake made. But S said it didn't really matter, as she has already been invited (not "accepted" - invited, without application) to a much more prestigious overseas program for the summer.</p>
<p>My kids have also had the experience of attending with the teacher's own students, and sometimes it's clear they didn't really deserve their spot. It happens. And yet, I have to admit that the flip side - my kid getting invited somewhere because of "contacts" - has it's appeal, too. I think that part of the process of consideration of schools - not just for musicians, but for most other students, too - is the networking, contacts, steps up, etc. that the school can offer. Non-music kids get internships for the summer because their teacher knows someone, or hires them over an unknown, or lends his/her reputation to the process.</p>
<p>I guess it's unfair if my kid is being shunned, and perfectly appropriate if my kid is benefitting?</p>
<p>very well put binx. i actually have the impression that connections actually have a far broader effect in summer placements because the commitment is so much shorter than 3-4 years teaching someone. </p>
<p>my son studied 3 summers with his teacher and by the last summer it was a big mistake. we tried to get him into another program, but she didn't help very much and we weren't able to. she wanted him to stay with her. the result: he hit a wall and left her for another teacher for his senior year of hs. oh well....this summer he will study with yet another person - it's good to get out and meet new teachers and people in different programs/studios, etc.</p>
<p>This summer program thread give me angst. Every summer I worry over my son's applications. He has had good summer opportunities every year...even the year he didn't get accepted to the summer programs to which he applied (well...did get accepted off of the waitlist at one...but too late to go as he had made other commitments by that time...the day BEFORE the program began...I don't think we would have been able to afford the airfare!!). But every summer is another summer...with different applicants etc. I just keep my fingers crossed...and hope for good news...but every year, I just worry and worry and worry.</p>
<p>In some instances what looks unfair might be pedagogically sound: a teacher might think that a student would improve in the summer program -- the new intensity, lack of distractions, musical environment. One thing to do, if possible, is talk to last year's participants and find out something about the studios you are interested in. There can be a wide variation, for example, in the size of the various studios -- with some very large studios, taught in master class format, and some quite small ones, at the same summer program. You might have a better chance with a less "hot" teacher if you don't have any inside track. Once there, you may find opportunities for lessons with other teachers, master classes, etc., that would make it well worthwhile even if it wasn't your top choice or the most "prestigious" teacher.</p>
<p>It can be unfair. Son has deliberately not applied to a couple of the better known programs as the known faculty have reps of drawing most of the selections from within their own ponds. Knowing the reputation and history of that type of "selection" process and a limited number of spots makes the app fee and recording expense seem like throwing money away.</p>
<p>Cosmos...it's just keeps getting more difficult. You are very young and are competing with an international pool of conservatory students, most of who are probably quite a bit older than you and who have other things on their resumes. I'm sure it will work out for you, so don't get frustrated at this early stage..although it IS very frustrating to see how contacts can work. Trust me, that is exactly how the world works and it drives me crazy too. But talent really does out in the end...although you also need luck and timing....:)
Summer can be a beautiful time to really focus on your playing (especially since you go to a university). If worse comes worse (and I really doubt it will), can you play in masterclasses or take lessons with some teachers who might be freed up over the summer? Focusing on your playing is much more work and not as much fun as summer institutes, but in the end, you can really improve even more than you might have in an orchestral setting. Time is on your side and you should be ready to take the institutes by storm when they call (and they will).</p>
<p>anybody know of any summer conducting programs? i'm an accomplished pianist and cellist but have no conducting experience.</p>
<p>symphonymom, thanks! Fingers are still crossed, especially for my Chicago Civic Orchestra audition tomorrow morning! Getting into that would be far better (for me) than getting into a summer program. </p>
<p>avdaxes, the Pierre Monteux School is supposed to be pretty good.</p>
<p>Any information about the quality of the medicine program would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Cosmos, you are totally right...Chicago Civic would be incredibly awesome and a huge feather in your cap! I will be crossing my fingers for you tomorrow....I know you will be great! Let us know how it goes.</p>
<p>j ammerman,</p>
<p>Welcome to CC. I think you will find that your question will get the attention it deserves somewhere other than the Music Major's section. There is probably not a whole lot of overlap with the NYLF pre-med group in this part of the board. I would encourage you to look around a bit and then repost your question in a more applicable thread.</p>
<p>Jammer...BassDad is correct. However...my daughter (the non-music major) attended this forum in medicine a few years ago. She had a good time and learned some. However, just FYI...it's not something that will make your kid's college application more appealing because they went to it. My daughter had a great time, met some wonderful people, and actually learned something. BUT it was not high pressure, and not "academically" rigorous. If you're looking for a short (but sort of expensive) summer two weeks or so...it's fine. You can PM me for more info.</p>