<p>Hello College Confidential!
First off hello, this is my first time posting here, although I have read many of the threads here. Y'all have been really helpful about summer programs in the past and was wondering if I could get suggestions. I have read many threads but some of them are older info and sometimes I just feel like I am swimming in information and can't tell what applies to me and what doesn't. </p>
<p>A bit about me. I am 17 years old and a senior in high school. I have been singing since 2004, originally in choir and a few musicals. In 2012 I went to a different school, one that has a "Certificate of Artistry" program. The CA program is somewhat like a major, but in high school. For my 11th and 12th grade years I have been/will be involved in the CA program, which is 100 minuets of music a day, every day. The program is 4 years but because of my previous experience and summer work I am completing it in 2 years. I also take an hour of private lessons a week at Loyola University. I've participated in ACDA and LMEA honor choirs at the district, state, and national level, as well as going to LSU's Opera camp. </p>
<p>I really loved opera camp last year, but am looking for something longer and potentially farther away. Distance or cost aren't a factor for me right now, especially because this is my preliminary search for programs. I've talked to my family and they are open to letting me apply to summer programs out of the US. I am somewhat of a mix between a mezzo soprano and a soprano in my solo rep. Nobody has ever been able to clearly classify me, not that it matters because as a teen my voice will change substantially. In choir rep I have the full range down to Alto 2/Tenor 1. </p>
<p>I really appreciate any help y'all can give me, and if anyone has any questions about the LSU program I would be happy to help.</p>
<p>First, are you auditioning for colleges this season? If so, you might want to skip a summer program next summer just because college will begin in the 2nd-3rd week of August and you’ll have a new teacher there anyway. You’re singing quite a lot in school now and have been singing for much longer than most, so taking the few weeks off between high school and college might be beneficial and it’s a good time to kick back and spend time with your family and friends. You could still take a lesson a week if your teacher is around. I’m concerned that with all of your lesson and choir commitments on top of audition season, which is always strenuous, that you could run the risk of damaging your voice at a young age.
Pay-to-sing programs can be fun but they’re not at all necessary (instrumentalists do gain a lot from playing in ensembles of various sizes, so it’s different for them), they don’t impress college admissions offices and strangely, Americans are the only ones who value them- young singers in Europe don’t bother with them.</p>
<p>You’re very right about your voice changing with age and training. In this country, we’ve become overly concerned with fachs and classifying everyone-that’s not a good or helpful thing. Sing what’s comfortable for you and remember that audition panels at colleges don’t expect nor want you to go in an toss off three operatic arias; they’d much rather that you go in with well prepared Art Song that is appropriate for your age and voice. It sounds like you’re getting good training now and you’re very lucky to have such a program available to you at the high school level!</p>
<p>Perhaps look into Sessione Senese per la Musica et l’Arte? You would have to be eighteen by this summer and pass through the audition process. Sienamusic.org</p>
<p>Oberlin has a summer opera program - in Italy!</p>
<p>My son enjoyed Songfest (at Colburn in Los Angeles), Westminster Choir College Solo Artist program and Walnut Hill’s opera program in Italy. He has friends who enjoyed the Washington National Opera program in DC.</p>
<p>Do your research very carefully before committing and paying for ANY program. Merely using Google and typing in the name of one of the programs listed above will show that particular program has some very serious complaints lodged against it.</p>
<p>Interlochen is a great camp for the fine arts to go to in the summer. The faculty are some of the top performers or professors in their field.</p>