If you or your student is starting their undergrad career this Fall, did you/they decide to do a summer music program? I’m currently torn because that means they will be gone for 6 weeks, before they are gone “forever”! (I know, they are not gone forever, but going away to college feels like it to a parent!)
Thoughts? Pros/cons?
mine is going to Tanglewood for 4 weeks and then off to college
Mine didn’t–the summer before college, he just worked his patootie off nearly full time to save money for undergrad, packed and prepped for fall, spent last moments with friends, and savored life/siblings/family at home before the big life transition. I was grateful, as I wanted every last moment with him!
Mine decided to practice like crazy at home and work a bit.
Mine is going to work some, play in a musical and travel with us to Europe. Knowing him he will probably play in some community orchestras as well as goofing off with friends. We are looking forward to spending every possible second with him we can as he is our only kid.
Mine went to a program the summer before heading to college as a VP major. In her case, she had not done a summer program before and it was a real confidence booster for her.
Mine did not. She took an on-line class at a community college that transfered.
D (VP major) contacted her studio teacher and asked if there was a rep she should look at over the summer. Teacher said relax and have fun, so she did (She kept up her regular voice lessons at home). Depending on program of study, they.might have piano, theory, and aural skills placement exams in the fall. In retrospect, she should have brushed up on her piano over the summer, but she enjoyed herself (and made some money too)!.
Looking forward, she did do a program after freshman year, though it was shorter (3 weeks). Personally I think the sweet spot for programs is after sophomore and junior years (both in HS and college).
I think it really depends on the personality of the child- and the finances of the family.
Many colleges will fund summer programs so it can be worthwhile to wait.
Some kids have trouble with this big transition and need to pull back and stay home. Others do better filling the summer either because transitions don’t affect them as much or because being busy helps anxiety. And so on!
My string kids always followed their teachers to summer festivals throughout high school, continuing lessons as during the school year. Summer before conservatory was no different.
I would ask your student’s teacher for advice. If the student knows who the new college/conservatory teacher will be, is there a possibility of lessons with the new teacher at a summer program giving a jump start to fall study? For winds, an “orchestra camp” could give the student concentrated experience due to the solo nature of wind/percussion orchestral demands.
Agree with the comment above. It can depend on the instrument. For VP, it is not necessary as vocalists are young and time-off is fine. For strings etc…I have no idea. Checking with a teacher is a good idea to check the expectations within that instrument’s “community”.
Thanks for the helpful replies. My kid is woodwinds, and feels like the forced playing/practice would be good. I just wish they weren’t 6 weeks long, since that leaves only a few days before college move in! Trying to weigh the pros and cons. Any other suggestions on how to keep up the practice over the lazy days of summer? How to stay motivated? I really like the idea of playing in community orchestras or musicals but I’m not sure such opportunities exist for us…
My S (jazz drummer) is not. Considered going back to Stanford Jazz Workshop for a couple of weeks or look into other alternatives, but decided to just enjoy one last summer at home by the beach before heading off to college. His high school graduation isn’t until late June which makes for a short summer before starting college in mid August; that factored heavily into the decision.
For some, the emotional component of staying home is more important. There is a big transition ahead and a lot of hard work. Taking a breather (while practicing for maintenance) can be wise.
But others may have a strong drive to go, and may be the type of kid who breezes through transitions.
Summer festivals are often obligatory for many years, and this is one year where it is okay not to go. So I think it should be a “want” not a “should.”
Can he/she work with the teacher over the summer?
Can someone explain to me what a “summer program” is?
@murray93 Students can participate in any number of programs, often attached to music festivals or colleges. For the HS student, Tanglewood, Interlochen, Ithaca, Oberlin come to mind … They can last from 3-6+ weeks - kind of like a camp, but focussed on high caliber music with lessons and performances. They are usually based on an audition, which can in some cases generate a merit scholarship to defray the cost of attendance. Once the student enters college, higher level programs are possible, like Aspen, in addition to programs overseas. These are also audition based and can vary in cost based on merit aid.
Thank you. I’ve heard mention of these many times on CC, but I don’t think we have them here in South Texas. Do the student musicians stay in dorms or other accommodations, or commute?
@murray93 The programs are nationally attended -My D met kids from all over the US at Ithaca (CA, MD, NY, GA,TX) They usually stay in dorms -eat in the dining hall, do their own laundry, manage roommate issues,…Classes are often part of the program (theory, aural skills, etc…) It’s a great first exposure to college as a music student, and a good way to gauge your playing/singing level in relation to others. Note that the two mine attended as a HS student were well chaperoned (Michigan and Ithaca) so it wasn’t a full college experience (wink wink). She did fly home from Michigan, though we drove her out making it into a family vacation of sorts and looking at colleges along the route. What is your child’s instrument? Brevard, Opera in the Ozarks, as well as the Milnes Voice Project have HS divisions and are in the south (and perhaps UMiami??). Anyone else know of programs in/close to Texas?
Thanks for the info. She plays clarinet. She’s 2020, so I’ll defintely check this out for next year.
Next year will be after admission decisions. Does anyone know of a program that still has openings for murray93’s child this summer? I think programs can be really helpful between junior and senior year.