Summer Programs 2008

<p>Then again, serendipity happens.</p>

<p>Fingers crossed a billion times for Aspen!!</p>

<p>Hey Cosmos,
Hope you like snow, I hear you've got lots! I can only add what I know about 3 of those programs.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure TMC live auditions were just held last week at Rice, so I think they are still in the midst of auditions.</p>

<p>D heard from MAW. She was wait-listed, but considering she put together her audition CD a couple of days after getting out of the hospital with strep and not having played for over 2 weeks, I would say that was a great accomplishment. At that point, she was lucky to play at all!</p>

<p>D attended NSO/KC SMI 2 years ago. Since you know her, this may be of some value to you. I don't know the upper cap on age, but the lower end is 15. NSO info says they accept 1 person from each state and on rare occasion, 2 from the same state. Actually, when D attended, there were a few states with no representatives, and an excessive number of kids that commuted each day from the DC/MD/VA area. My opinion is that once they have chosen who they like from the states, they fill in missing spots with local musicians. They don't have to pay room and board for these musicians. I do not know this for a fact, however.</p>

<p>It's a wonderful program with orchestra conducted by the marvelous Elizabeth Schultze, the music director of the Maryland Symphony, private instruction by NSO members, chamber groups coached by NSO members and even conducting classes. </p>

<p>I do remember those letters came sometime in March, but I can't remember exactly when. Sorry</p>

<p>Team_mom - tell your D congrats on MAW - especially as young as she is. S2 was waitlisted last year, and ultimately was offered a spot (just about a week later.) On instruments where there aren't that many, like your d's, and my s's, they can only offer spots to a few. But the top applicants are often top applicants at several places, so it's entirely possible they will choose to go elsewhere, and open up a spot. We can hope!</p>

<p>S learned yesterday that he did get into MAW, and was offered a small travel stipend (which he didn't get last year. Don't know how many of those there are to go around.) He hasn't heard from other places, but isn't real optimistic - didn't like his audition at one place, said he plays the "wrong kind of horn" for another. But he's okay with that - really enjoyed MAW last year, and would be quite content to return.</p>

<p>It would be neat if your d was there, too!</p>

<p>Hi, Congrats on MAW! Very cool. I still haven't heard from them. I don't know any other bassists who have yet either, but I'm still hoping for something of a miracle... We had to write a little essay for MAW about why we want to go. Maybe Nico Abondolo will be swayed a little bit by mine. </p>

<p>I got wait-listed for TMC. Didn't expect to get in, and I don't think I'll get off the wait-list. </p>

<p>I'd be super excited to do the NSO/KC program. It sounds neat. I'm from NY though, so I'm not getting my hopes up at all considering how many good student musicians there are from there! </p>

<p>And still hoping for Aspen -- One of the teachers did tell me to apply, but I'm not his student, so who knows what will happen! </p>

<p>Oy vey, the wait is atrocious!</p>

<p>Our experience has been that the packet from Aspen didn't come until mid-April -- so keep that in mind about the possible delay. You can email them and ask about the status of your application.</p>

<p>Yeah, I emailed them and they said that they have only just sent the application CD's to the bass professors, so we should hear in 2-3 weeks.</p>

<p>Hey did you hear from MAW via e-mail or post?</p>

<p>In fairness to the teachers who select their own students to teach at summer festivals.....it is hard work to start from scratch pedagogically with a new student, no matter how gifted. The teachers know that any work they accomplish with their regular students, the further along things will be in the fall. There will be room for a few very gifted "outsiders" but if the teacher has a choice, the student who is a known cooperative and eager learner will have an advantage.</p>

<p>Cosmos, S heard via email. </p>

<p>I saw on another part of CC where someone was talking about his/her boss hiring the poster's S/D for a plush internship. No one at all questioned whether that boss was taking a spot away from a more deserving applicant. I thought it the dichotomy was interesting.</p>

<p>I don't think it's questioning so much as understanding that you're not washed up because you didn't make the cut because this happens. Same thing at the elite schools, after everyone who has an "in" gets a spot, you might not have much chance. Doesn't mean you're chopped liver. Just that studying with certain teachers has its perks. The music world can be tough and not for the squeamish, but you learn the ropes, and if you have talent and perseverance, things have been known to turn out well eventually.</p>

<p>Also, I have noticed that there is a spread of ages, schools and hometowns represented amongst instrumental participants at the full scholarship festivals I am familiar with - MAW, Tanglewood Fellows, NYSOS, Steans, Kneisal Hall, Yellow Barn, etc - as well as a balance of gender. I have wondered how much this extra-audition info can influence the final roster. Anyone have any thoughts or experience????</p>

<p>As I noted earlier, I have enjoyed attending a particular full scholarship festival over a 10 plus year period. Every year, the participants are all quite excellent. And, every year, there is a notable difference in maturity and development between the youngest - early undergrads and oldest - post-grads. </p>

<p>Given that all who are there are "qualified" and fine players, do I think the selected participants are truly the "best" out of the entire field who auditioned? No - I'm sure there are older students who, objectively, auditioned better than some of the younger. My guess is that there is some subjective juggling on the part of the auditioners as to who might best benefit from the experience. (Leaves room for the teacher "picking" their own students, etc...)</p>

<p>Thoughts???????</p>

<p>Musicianmom: D's teacher told me very recently that he listened to auditions for his very selective program on an anonymous basis, choosing only those he thought were the best. The "extra-audition info" had no influence on his decisions. He ended up choosing 2 of his own students this year, and I know tongues will wag about how he is favoring them, but he was insistent to me that he didn't know who was playing when listening to the auditions. I also realize he is only one teacher in one program and many other teachers may have different methods of evaluating auditions.</p>

<p>My S's middle school band director could pick his own students out from behind a screen when he a judge for all state activities. He said even though they are blind, you come to recognize little quirks, etc. after spending time with them.</p>

<p>My kid can often ID a soloist on a recording without looking at the label - he is familiar enough with their sound and technique. </p>

<p>So it stands to reason that it is pretty hard to stay completely anonymous, especially if auditioning for someone who hears you on a weekly basis.</p>

<p>Also, teachers often have their own pet emphases. A teacher who feels that the most important thing is "following exactly what's written" or conversely "musical interpretation," or bold statements vs blending, remaining true to the period vs. updating, etc, are likely to pick students who have studied and learned those particular things especially well. My S recently auditioned for a European festival. He played well, but he said he would be surprised if he were chosen, since he doesn't have the right sound. They like a mellower sound and a smaller horn than what my S has to offer. If it turns out that most of those selected are Germans, I won't cry foul or prejudice - but rather, they choose the sound they like, and also TEACH the sound they like, and not coincidentally end up choosing those they teach.</p>

<p>That's not to say that a teacher might not pull strings for a student or two on purpse, if he feels the student in particular will benefit from the program as well as be an asset to it.</p>

<p>But I have never heard of a program that uses things like geographical differences to make decisions. I also haven't heard of using diversity, although I suspect that might happen.</p>

<p>Yes, of course this is all completely true. </p>

<p>A lot of these summer program auditions aren't blind though. Most of them tell you to put your name on your recorded audition CD - Aspen certainly does. </p>

<p>Whatever happens, I wish teachers would keep in mind that kids from certain schools won't have the opportunities to be in orchestras that are this good on a regular basis, and so perhaps they should consider taking a kid who's really good who needs that opportunity over someone who's equally as good but gets these experiences all the time.</p>

<p>Someone here (a while ago) asked when Aspen sent notifications. Last year, DS heard sometime before March 18. I only know that because I have the receipt for the purchase of his white dinner jacket...which I bought...after the acceptance.</p>

<p>Thumper, that is book-keeping and schedule checking we can trust...well done. It is amazing how many prior year sequences we reconstruct with such auxilliary evidence. Hold on to everything, parents!</p>

<p>That's funny, Thumper!</p>

<p>I wrote my previous post in a hurry this morning before church. Sorry for all the typos and misplaced modifiers! I hope you understand that I meant the auditions are blind, not the performers! :)</p>

<p>That's a good point, Cosmos. I have no experience with Aspen, and don't know what they require. (Aspen was never on S's list because his teacher taught there, and he wanted to study with others during the summer. And my D is not, I don't think, of Aspen caliber.) I know that for most of the programs my kids have applied for, an essay has been required. Wanting the opportunity to work with a high-caliber orchestra would be a good thing to stress in the essay.</p>

<p>Son received his rejection from Aspen yesterday.
He seemed not too surprised but it's hard to tell with young men sometimes.</p>

<p>He has a few other options pending yet. Still, the mom in me is disappointed for him, even realizing the selectivity of the process.</p>

<p>I AM pleased that the 'how to transport 2 large tubas across the US' question can wait at least another year.</p>

<p>It seems that Aspen does not send all its notices at once -- in our case, in 06, the letter of acceptance was sent out around April 15; in 07, on April 5. So if you haven't heard anything, there is no reason to worry at this point.</p>

<p>I have seen some programs select students with geographical and age considerations as among the criteria -- for the sake of a more regionally diverse presence (or their own wider draw), and because they want a cohort from each age group. Lots of programs have kids returning year after year, as well, which limits the number of new students, particularly on certain instruments.</p>