SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR MUSIC

<p>My son auditioned for Tanglewood BUTI and Encore School for Strings. We've heard nothing so far. I was just wondering if others have heard anything or perhaps know when acceptances/rejections are sent.</p>

<p>Tanglewood generally sends out acceptances right around when they say they will in the application package. I have not seen the one for this year, but I think the date has been April 15 in past years. We got a rejection three years ago and an acceptance two years ago and both arrived within a few days of that date.</p>

<p>Happy to post that our son was accepted into Eastern Music Festival for this summer.
I believe they take only 2 tubas so he is feeling very fortunate and excited about his upcoming summer plans.</p>

<p>musicmom: Congratulations on your son's acceptance to EMF. I have heard many good things about that program over the past few years, so he certainly deserves to be proud and excited. Hope you will have a chance to visit and enjoy the music, too!</p>

<p>Thanks, mommab.
It would be lovely to get to visit EMF and hear the music but it's a great distance from NJ and work schedules will get in the way. Darn!</p>

<p>We have been very fortunate to have son close at college so we've caught most of his performances. Wonderful orchestra concert just last night....son was happy to 'show off' his new tuba.
Of course, his old tuba sounded just fine to me, the tone deaf mom!</p>

<p>I don't have a vocalist, but I have heard quite a bit about "Stage Door". My DS has a friend who is a terrific jazz vocalist who has gone there several summers.</p>

<p>I am in need of some advice. I have a very deteremined, talented flutist who is a freshman in hs this year. She has her sights on Interlochen for NEXT summer...2007. She currently attends a summer camp, loves it, but wants more. I will take any advice, comments, recommendations...that you have to offer!! She LOVES playing her flute and piccolo. She has researched the audition pieces for Interlochen, and actually knows some of them and has auditioned with some of them. I have a million questions, and do not know where to begin...such as, cabins? What do they mean by cabins? (hmm...so many visions come to my mind!!) Do not get me wrong! She is NOT a "girly-girl" by any means. When she is not dressed in her classic performance dress, she is in her "barn" wear, (her other passion is horses!). We know the program is highly regarded, and she definately wants more of a challenge.<br>
If you know of any other programs for flutists, I would greatly appreciate that info also!!</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>The Oberlin Flute Institute (<a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/con/summer/flute/Default.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.oberlin.edu/con/summer/flute/Default.html&lt;/a&gt;) and the programs at Tanglewood (<a href="http://www.bu.edu/cfa/music/tanglewood/programs.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.bu.edu/cfa/music/tanglewood/programs.htm&lt;/a&gt;) including the two-week flute workshop, the Young Artists Orchestra and the Young Artists Wind Ensemble are also top programs.</p>

<p>notfromme: My son attended camp at Interlochen (orchestra trumpet) in 2004, and it was a wonderful experience. The fast pace, challenging repertoire, high expectations for performance, and outstanding guest conductors and master classes, more than made up for some of the typical summer camp complaints such as less-than-luxurious (what more can you need than running water and flush toilets!) accommodations and lack of gourmet food. There's alot of good information on the Interlochen website, and you might find these videos interesting:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.suddenlyorange.com/stream/interlochen.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.suddenlyorange.com/stream/interlochen.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Another piece of advice that has worked well for my son was to apply and audition for several summer programs each year. The audition requirements are generally similar, application fees are not exhorbitant, and this will maximize acceptance and financial aid opportunities. As much as he enjoyed Interlochen in '04 he also had a great summer at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute orchestra program last year. The musical program was every bit as good as Interlochen and the overall expereince appeared to be enhanced by more freedom for the high school students to hang out in the little shops and pizza joints of Lennox in their spare time and go to all the amazing free BSO/Boston Pops/TMC concerts. </p>

<p>Brevard Music Center and Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina are other highly regarded summer programs to which my son applied but did not attend. Brevard has separate college and high school programs , and while on campus at the same time, the social aspects seem to be fairly distinct. Not sure about how the relaviely small number of high schoolers fit into the social mix at EMF, and would definitely want to know more before I sent a high school age child.</p>

<p>Good luck to your daughter. I think applying and auditioning to summer programs in hgh school was a great learning experience for college/conservatory applications, which will be here before you know it!</p>

<p>My son also attended Interlochen the summer after 9th grade. We went to see him after his first 3 weeks of the 8 week program. He was waiting for us in the parking lot, usually a bad sign. When I got out of the car he came up to me and said "Mom, I have found paradise..." He loved being around other kids who were as passionate about music as he was as well as having the opportunities to mingle with kids interested in many other areas of the arts. (He became good friends with a painter from Macedonia.) The cabins are just that - wooden cabins that sleep about 16 kids and a counselor. The get a small open locker thing for storage. The cabin my son stayed in had a bathroom with a couple of shower stalls, sinks and toilets. The food was bad and he was glad for the opportunity to eat out with us when we visited. </p>

<p>By the end of the summer he was ready to come home. Eight weeks was a bit long for him but it cemented in his mind that he really did want to pursue music as a career. He went to other programs in subsequent summers which were all smaller and more focused on his instrument, but it was a very positive experience for him overall.</p>

<p>Interlochen has a great reputation, well earned for the most part. But it may not be the right place for everyone especially not all instruments or those seeking a college like experience. From what I have heard and read it isn't that great for flutes. You really need to check who is scheduled to teach in any given year. </p>

<p>You also need to decide if you want a band/orchestra experience or improvement in your instrument.</p>

<p>Go to the NFA website and check out the link for summer masterclasses and camps. If your student needs improvement on the flute, she may find one of those more beneficial.</p>

<p>Brevard is probably a bit stronger flutewise but again a very backwoods rustic setting.</p>

<p>Length of camps varies a great deal as well. And the level of player ranges from near beginner to top professional.</p>

<p>You have been such a help!! My d went on line and looked up a few more progams. She really wants to improve and be challenged. A few summer programs have really caught her eye now, and we will take the advice to apply to more than one. (Just went through the whole college MT acceptance with older daughter....ugh! 7 college auditions!) Now, my new question is...Taped or live? We noticed that one program actually travels for auditions! (much like what we just went through!!) I was just wondering if it would be better live or taped? Any imput can help us plan our winter.....again!! </p>

<p>Tanglewood is the program that really has her attention now. How selective are they? We LOVED Boston, so that really has her hopes up!! </p>

<p>Thank you again!</p>

<p>Tanglewood is very selective. Many of the kids who go through that program are headed for the top music schools and conservatories, so the competition is tough. It is a fantastic program if she gets in. The largest number of students there are rising seniors, and there are even some who are attending between high school and college, so your daughter potentially has three more shots at it.</p>

<p>It is always best to audition live if possible. Tanglewood holds "live" auditions in a number of cities, but that is just an administrative employee with a video camera. To maximize your chances, audition live at BU where there is a decent chance of having a faculty member present. Note that the Tanglewood program is held in Lenox, a small town in the Berkshires, not Boston.</p>

<p>If you apply to Tanglewood, it is also a good idea to apply to another camp or two as a safety. Tanglewood does not get back to you until mid-April and, if you don't get in, it is probably too late to find somewhere else at that point.</p>

<p>Summer programs like Tanglewood and Interlochen serve two important purposes.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>They tell the young musician if the can "run with the big dogs."</p></li>
<li><p>They help the young musician determine if they want to continue to "run with the big dogs."</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Point #1 helps you decide on which schools to apply. Point #2 helps you decide which school you've been admitted to that you'll attend. </p>

<p>My D's experience at Interlochen last summer made her realize that she wanted a conservatory, based on her adoring being surrounded by people who shared her love of music and other arts. She hates the "average" HS student who isn't focused and doesn't care in general. </p>

<p>When the acceptances came in from both music schools at universities and conservatories, she decided a strict conservatory program would best suit her since she wouldn't be subjected to "average" college students in her humanities classes, dorms nor social life.</p>

<p>As a parent, even though I hated the $$$ for Interlochen, I did see a major improvement in my D's playing and a maturation as a musician. Also, her experience helped focus her so it was money well-spent.</p>

<p>The previous summer, my D attended NHSMI at Northwestern which was more of a "college-like" approach to summer music programs. D did not like that at all. So, getting them through a couple of different summer program is a good start to help them focus on what and where they want to do in the future.</p>

<p>My $0.02...</p>

<p>Thanks for the help! My d now attends a 7 day music camp, but, as you say, she would like to run with more "big dogs"! We are extremely blessed to have an outstanding music program at her school. A large percent of our graduates go into music. As a freshman, my d plays in all of the upperclass performing groups. She is now 4th chair flute out of 35 in a large marching/concert band. Two of the three above her are graduating srs-one placed 4th in the state, the other going on to major in music at a highly regarded school! My d's pet peeve is also the average...who cares...high school musician. Luckily, we do not have toooo many of those since our music classes are not "an easy A"!! (of course, these are the ones that give her some grief about being seated above them, being selected for quartets and spotlights!!!) So, she is hungry and I will feed her!! We have learned so much going through this process with our older d, and now are practicing our..."if we new then what we know now" experiences!! Older d is going to a conservatory (MT with voice/opera concentration) so I completely understand the "university vs. conservatory" issue...she wanted to be around people who are in the arts also!!<br>
ImperialZeppelin, what is your d's instrument? My main hold back with Interlochen is the fact that I am in Philly area, and Interlochen is....well...there.<br>
Once again, thanks for the info. We are looking for a camp for the summer of 2007..any one know of any more in the northeast??!!</p>

<p>You might look into some of these:</p>

<p>Belvoir Terrace, Lenox MA (<a href="http://www.belvoirterrace.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.belvoirterrace.com/&lt;/a&gt;)
Camp Encore/Coda, Sweden ME (<a href="http://www.encore-coda.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.encore-coda.com/&lt;/a&gt;)
Eastern US Music Camp, Hamilton NY (<a href="http://easternusmusiccamp.com/campus.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://easternusmusiccamp.com/campus.htm&lt;/a&gt;)
Eastman Summer Sessions, Rochester NY (<a href="http://www.esm.rochester.edu/summer/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.esm.rochester.edu/summer/&lt;/a&gt;)
Fiddlehead Music Camp, Moutonborough NH (<a href="http://www.nhisom.org/camp/fiddlehead.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nhisom.org/camp/fiddlehead.html&lt;/a&gt;)
French Woods Camp, Hancock NY (<a href="http://www.frenchwoods.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.frenchwoods.com/&lt;/a&gt;)
Hartwick College Summer Music Festival, Oneonta NY (<a href="http://www.hartwickmusicfestival.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hartwickmusicfestival.org/&lt;/a&gt;)
Kinhaven Music School, Weston VT (<a href="http://www.kinhaven.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.kinhaven.org/&lt;/a&gt;)
Lebanon Valley College Summer Music Camp, Annville PA (<a href="http://www.lvc.edu/music/summercamp/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.lvc.edu/music/summercamp/&lt;/a&gt;)
Luzerne Music Center, Lake Luzerne NY (<a href="http://www.luzernemusic.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.luzernemusic.org/&lt;/a&gt;)
New England Music Camp, Sydney ME (<a href="http://www.nemusiccamp.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nemusiccamp.com/&lt;/a&gt;)
New York Summer Music Festival, Oneonta NY (<a href="http://www.nysmf.org/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nysmf.org/&lt;/a&gt;)
Wyoming Seminary Performing Arts Institute, Kingston PA (<a href="http://www.wyomingseminary.org/pai/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.wyomingseminary.org/pai/&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

<p>Thank you BassDad!! We have looked into each of these...has anyone been to the New York Summer Music Festival in Oneonta...or have any info on it? Thanks again! You have all helped out so much! We have a very nice file started!</p>

<p>I believe this is the inaugural summer for this festival...so no one would have had the chance to be there before. I just sent the infor to my son...waitlisted at Aspen and Brevard. I thought perhaps two weeks of this might be worthwhile.</p>

<p>Well, I guess that explains why I have not heard of it!! It looks like a wonderful program!</p>

<p>Mom in Philly, don't be that concerned about Interlochen's location. We live in CT and our daughter went there twice and travel was a snap. You tak Northwest Airlines into Detroit and transfer to a direct flight to Traverse City. The camp has staff people on hand in Detroit to help kids find the proper gates.</p>

<p>Interlochen is a summer camp as well as a music camp. It has rickety wooden cabins with metal bunks, and a couple of lakes and other camp-ish recreational facilities along with practice sheds and concert halls.</p>

<p>It's old-fashioned in other ways as well. The kids have to wear uniforms -- navy blue twill shorts or, believe it or not, blue corduroy knickers, light blue camp shirts or polo shirts, and red sweaters for concerts. The younger campers have to wear red socks and the older ones, light blue. My D, a fashionista, was dreading this but said that it was actually a bit of a relief to take an eight-week break from having to assemble outfits every day.</p>