<pre><code> With many thanks for great CC input on summer programs for classical singers, my 17 y.o. daughter has just been accepted into the Tanglewood (BUTI) summer institute as a soprano. We're very excited about this wonderful opportunity, but don't know anyone who's gone and don't really know New England.
It seems that several CC kids have attended, and on D's behalf, I wanted to inquire as to whether they had a good time musically, intellectually, socially. If your kids were at Tanglewood for voice, how did they find the private lessons, drama and movement training? We're thinking that this will be an especially good place to work on rep for college auditions, and also to consider the conservatory versus university/LAC with good music program versus university/LAC with joint conservatory program issue that D needs to resolve before applying to college next fall.
Finally, to parents more in the know about classical voice programs, is this a big deal? We're pretty much overjoyed at our house and school seems to be very excited on D's behalf, but voice teacher was a bit disparaging (altho it might be necessary to star at the Met to impress her...)
<p>hey i just got accepted to tanglewood! I know of an amazing teacher there IM me at chichabear. I'll tell you her name and answer any questions!
xoxo</p>
<p>DS went to Tanglewood as an instrumentalist for two summers. He LOVED it there, and learned quite a lot. The atmosphere is absolutely wonderful for the serious musician as everyone there is a serious musician. DS didn't really have a lot of contact with the vocalists (different schedule) but we did hear them sing and the concert was spectacular. Ann Howard Jones, the conductor, is superb. DS learned quite a bit those two summers, and made some lifelong friends as well. You can PM me for more info.</p>
<p>D went to Tanglewood as a vocalist (mezzo) summer 2002. Every aspect of the experience was wonderful. She loved the music instruction, the social life and the performances. She still has friends she met at BUTI. She auditioned there for BU, so that was out of the way. PM me if you would like my D's contact information for your D. The grounds are gorgeous, by the way. The summer my D was there was unusually warm, and the dorm was not air conditioned (I think some of them are), but the kids aren't in the dorms much.</p>
<p>We don't have any serious singers in the family, but we have gone to Tanglewood every summer for years and years. The area is just lovely and, for anyone who loves the arts, full of things to do. Google Stockbridge and Lenox to see some charming towns. On the Fourth of July there is a wonderful celebration at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops and with fireworks, jugglers, mimes, etc. Go to <a href="http://www.shakespeare.org%5B/url%5D">www.shakespeare.org</a> to see the excellent productions by Shakespeare and Company. Williamstown offers the superb Clark Art Institute and the Williamstown Theater Festival, which does serious plays with prominent actors. MassMOCA offers contemporary art and all sorts of visiting performers. Jacob's Pillow presents the best modern dancers from around the world in an idyllic setting. And the essential experience is to get lawn tickets to the BSO and to bring a picnic. </p>
<p>The Tanglewood area is truly one of my favorite places. I hope there is time between all the serious music training for your daughter and the other young people to enjoy the incredible cultural riches of the area. Congratulations to your daughter!</p>
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Finally, to parents more in the know about classical voice programs, is this a big deal? We're pretty much overjoyed at our house and school seems to be very excited on D's behalf, but voice teacher was a bit disparaging (altho it might be necessary to star at the Met to impress her...)
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<p>I think, of itself, its a medium deal. It occurs to me that the selection critieria have some economic bias, since they need enough students to be able to pay the tuition for the program. There may be more than a few kids who are the best musicians whose parents are willing to write fairly large checks to a summer program. </p>
<p>You'll see some kids who are truly outstanding, and a lot who are pretty darn good. I think that, like most summer programs, even elite ones, you get out of it what you put into it.</p>
<p>Regarding the music teacher......sometimes, the local expert in esoteric matters like these can't stand that idea that someone else in the community might turn out to be better than he/she is. Its not the rule, but it happens a great deal. If the instructor is less than supportive, ignore him. The "performing" field is filled with people who crave attention focused primarily on them. Its useful to keep that in mind on your journey through it.</p>
<p>Soprano- I'll ask D and let you know.
Dadx- I believe admission to Tanglewood IS a big deal and carries a lot of weight with college music depts. My D graduated from Interlochen, and Tanglewood admission was highly coveted by the Interlochen kids, and it was very hard to get in. I thought there was financial aid available.</p>
<p>Nester, congratulations to your D on her acceptance to Tanglewood's summer program. YES, it is a HUGE deal! You should be very proud. Both Tanglewood and Interlochen were mentioned in one of the "How to Get Into an Ivy League School" books as being plusses. I can't remember which book.</p>
<p>Another thing- When D was at ARTS (she was a finalist) a number of the other ARTS kids had been at Tanglewood and the kids had a mini-reunion at ARTS. There are a few Tanglewood kids at Rice with D, too. It was a great experience all the way around. Warning to parents- the lodging around there is expensive and not abundant. When we took D to Tanglewood, we wound up staying in Albany.</p>
<p>My daughter went to Tanglewood last summer, playing double bass. She had a wonderful time musically, intellectually and socially. It was this experience that convinced her that she wanted to be a performance major. We attended two of her concerts - the first (after they had been playing together two weeks) and the last (after six weeks.) The first concert was very good, but by the time they had been together six weeks, they were by far the best high school aged orchestra I have ever heard.</p>
<p>The setting is spectacular - first-rate concert facilities in a beautiful, hilly area of western Massachusetts. Lenox (within walking distance from the dorms) becomes a tourist trap and a traffic nightmare on summer weekends, but the kids like to go there for ice cream and to use the computers in the library. One of the best parts of the program is that they get a festival pass that allows them to attend concerts every night.</p>
<p>As MoWC points out, nearby hotels are incredibly expensive (starting around $300+ per night on summer weekends, usually with a minimum 2-night stay.) You may wish to look 30-60 minutes away if you are planning to travel there. As she mentioned, there is financial aid available, but I think you have to apply for it at the same time you apply for admission. As she also hinted, vocalists have an opportunity to audition for BU toward the end of the program. If you do well, that serves as your college audition. If you blow it, they throw away the results and let you try again at the normal audition time. This is a very nice benefit if BU is of any interest to your daughter.</p>
<p>If your daughter plans on applying to the top music schools, she will probably run into a lot of Tanglewood friends on audition days. Hooking up with them before or after auditions offers a nice bit of stress relief. If she is looking at schools in the next tier down, I think a summer at Tanglewood would be a huge plus for her. (Hint: If she does go to Tanglewood, obtain some extra programs from her concerts. Some schools ask for a concert program or two as part of their applications package.)</p>
<p>I was going to rave about Tanglewood which I have grown up hearing about in the same category as the Aspen Summer Music Festival. (I am a geezer--both of these programs have been famous forever!) This is because there is an amazing congregation of internationally famous musicians at both places and the summer concerts are recorded and broadcast at least nationwide. I then went to the website to helpfully post the url when I saw the handbook and housing application which we have been awaiting since we sent in the deposit for S to attend. For those of you whose kids have attended in the past, should we wait for a snail mail packet, or is this it? </p>
<p>Here's what happened to us: S applied and was accepted to two music programs, Tanglewood and a program closer to home. He was awarded no aid by Tanglewood at first. We decided to save for an opera program later on and emailed BUTI the decision. S was going to get a head start on college in summer school instead (linear algebra, differential equations :) )to help with double major pressures. BUTI did not get the email, and there was a message when we returned from our last college visit to call the office with S's decision (by now late). I called and was asked if a scholarship would influence him to come. Of course I said yes. A few days later, he was offered full tuition and most of room and board for the 6-week Young Artist Vocal Program. He is ecstatic. </p>
<p>Anyway, you can see what the program entails in detail because the handbook has the schedule and a typical day for each group. It is so exciting! </p>
<p>My children have attended a summer camp just yards from Tanglewood for the past 8 years. Such a beautiful area. For a place to stay I'd recommend the Apple Tree Inn -just across the street from the main entrance to Tanglewood; I've stayed here for camp visiting weekend every summer. The rooms in the main inn (a classic Victorian) are expensive, but there is an annex building with reasonable room rates. I love staying here; it does book quickly with Tanglewood visitors so call early for reservations. Last year our room looked out over Tanglewood, and at night I could sit out on the porch and listen. Heaven!</p>
<p>Hi Nester,
my s will be at Tanglewood this summer too!! For piano. I can't give you any suggestions though, as it's his first summer. Hope she has a great time.
andi</p>
<p>Nester -- My D (a soprano!) went to Tanglewood with Momofwildchild's D 3 summers ago. She had just finished her sophomore year in high school. She absolutely loved it there -- musically and socially. She connected with other classical singers and instrumentalists and, of course, went to all the FREE Tanglewood concerts. It is a fantastic program (and in a beautiful place) and it solidified her decision to pursue vocal performance in college. She was admitted as a returning student the summer of 2003 but chose to do another singing program. She saw many fellow students at college auditions the winter of 2004. FYI -- she is just finishing her freshman year in the double-degree BM/BA program in Voice/Art History at Lawrence University -- she loves it there!</p>