<p>Our local youth symphonies and youth jazz programs have been a lifesaver in a state (Oregon) that has had education budget cuts that have seriously compromised the ability of public schools to even offer music, drama and other arts-related programs. It is safe to say that, without these extra-curricular programs, talented musicians would have difficulty finding challenge in their music and/or like-minded musicians. Thank goodness for them–and for the opportunities they’ve offered my son to travel both to Europe and to Asia as a performer with them!</p>
<p>jazzzmomm – It was a very long time ago, but I played the flute in high school. I studied with a very well-known teacher, but wasn’t that serious. The NY Youth Orchestra asked him to recommend a flautist and I had the impression that I could be in the orchestra for the asking. It is probably different today, but maybe not that much different. I chose not to do it.</p>
<p>Yeah, when I was in Juilliard Prep, they basically sent out an email saying that the NYYS was looking for people to cover certain instruments and if any of us were interested, they’d basically just let us in. I don’t think anyone took them up on it though.</p>
<p>Their questionnaire application seems designed to find the parents with the most clout, socially and financially, which is separate altogether from just handing out the positions to talented kids with connections. But, I guess if an unknown kid auditions well AND has parents willing to throw cocktail parties and invite senators and congressmen (they ask you if you know anyone in these positions on the application) then you will be invited to join. It was so strange to me, but I thought maybe I was just naive.</p>
<p>nycm- no problem. This is a great thread. Here’s a plug for the summer festivals, too. D started attending these after 8th grade and now has musical friends all over the country. Last summer she did EMF and learned a lot about colleges from the college day EMF sponsored and from the college students in the program (EMF has more college than HS players).</p>
<p>jazzmom-that political application sounds horrid. Many orchestras do have political seating and admissions to special playing opportunities. Our director leans a lot on loyalty. You have to be really outstanding to come in as a new player and move to the front of the first violins.</p>
<p><<i met=“” a=“” trumpet=“” player=“” recently=“” who=“” teaches=“” at=“” the=“” merit=“” school=“” and=“” it=“” sounded=“” fantastic!=“”>></i></p><i met=“” a=“” trumpet=“” player=“” recently=“” who=“” teaches=“” at=“” the=“” merit=“” school=“” and=“” it=“” sounded=“” fantastic!=“”>
<p>It is possible that it was I that you met, I have been teaching at the Merit School of Music for 15 years. Merit is part of the Guild of Community Schools of the Arts; there are community music schools of high quality in every part of the country.We were just at the 3rd Street Settlement School in New York (which is curiously on 11th Street near Union Square), the McPhail School in Minneapolis is terrific, Milwaukee Conservatory, and so on. Just google “community music schools” and you’ll get a huge response. Those schools attached to conservatories or universities are known as “divisional” schools, and while they have the advantages associated with being part of a larger organization, they lack independence in both finances and curriculum. We at Merit have always relished our independence.
I would urge anyone who feels their local school systems music offerings to be just not quite enough, if you have a child who is seriously into music and wants more, consult your local community music school. And if you’re in the Chicago area, check out Merit at [Merit</a> School of Music: Welcome](<a href=“http://www.meritmusic.org%5DMerit”>http://www.meritmusic.org). We have around 70 seniors graduating this year and many are going on to very fine schools.</p>
</i>
<p>I’ll second the above advice about community music schools being a very viable alternative to high level instruction for any developing student.</p>
<p>I’d say don’t consider Carnegie as a choice for Pre-College. Their summer program was very laid back and casual, more emphasis on Musical Theater than on Music.
Not a great atmosphere. The program, itself is great. But, the music portion of it was a bad experience for myself and a bunch of my other friends.</p>
<p>Jazzzmom–I’m sorry you found the NY Youth Symphony application form off-putting. That really concerns me. It’s a shame, because my experience with the organization was extraordinary. My D played in the orchestra from 2003-2007 under Paul Haas’ direction, and it was among the most important important musical experiences of her life.</p>
<p>The NYYS is a nof-for-profit organization that charges no tuition to any student accepted as a member. It’s a huge gift to the students, (and their parents) and a tremendous fund-raising challenge for the Board. I suspect the questions on the application are designed to elict fund raising sources and media contacts that might not otherwise be known to the organization.</p>
<p>I have no social or financial clout, nor did I know any parent of a muscian during my 4 year experience with the orchestra who did. I knew it as a “straight-up audition” situation, and a truly exceptional bunch of young musicians. </p>
<p>Do your S audition for 2007-2008?</p>
<p>This was a jazz band arm of the NYYS, and I know I sound kind of bitter, but I was really just remarking on the unfamiliar questions on the application and how they seemed so unrelated to your child’s musical qualifications. But, I also want to re-emphasize that I wondered if I was simply naive and that other honors ensembles ask questions like this. We had only this one to reference. I know how talented the musicians are in the ensembles; they obviously don’t just let anyone in according to their connections!</p>
<p>My kids were involved with Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras. WYSO is competitive to get in, but then the kids get to rotate seats. They don’t have to fight for seats all the time. In the string sections, kids can choose to audition for principal. There is a different principal for each concert cycle. </p>
<p>The chamber music program was awesome. Oldest son and his quartet made it to the Fischoff National Chamber Music competition 2 years in a row. What a great experience for them to have!</p>
<p>I agree, jazzzmomm, a very off-putting application, but we left all of that section blank, and they never asked again. It was really odd, sort-of-like if you have any friends or families that are CEOs please write their names and addresses HERE! On the other hand, NJ Youth Symphony puts out their hand in your face every 2 seconds and overcharges for everything they can ($40-$60/ticket for upcoming Carnegie Hall concert tickets-NYYO never charged nearly that much for Carnegie Hall)</p>
<p>Having been through New York Youth Orchestra (2 yrs), New Jersey Youth Symphony (7 years, 2 kids), Juilliard precollege (6 years, 2 kids) and NJPAC programs, amongst others, I personally think the MOST important component is the camaraderie the kids feel with their peers. The NY and NJ Youth Symphonies are primarily orchestras, with theory/solfege and/or ensemble experience offered. Precollege (at least ours) offers a music school with teachers, classes, etc, with orchestra included. It’s a different perspective. Also, music schools give grades; the youth symphonies and NJPAC do not. The other option not mentioned is the local music school. Our S2 is effectively too young to audition at precollege, but wants all that the precollege has to offer, so he takes solfege and theory at the local music school, cello lessons elsewhere and orchestra and ensemble with another organization. He is getting many of the same things (at his level), only not consolidated and not with the same camaraderie. He’s just biding his time until he’s ready. Personally, I can’t wait until he has everything consolidated in one place. That will save me about 50,000 miles on my car/year. (I’m exaggerating, but it feels that way sometimes!)</p>
<p>If you ask either one of my kids, they would say precollege is “much better.” By better, they really mean filled with like-minded kids. In the NY and NJ Youth orchestras, many of the kids take it very seriously, some not quite. Those kids bring it down for the rest. They are the reason that the orchestras move slower, the conductors get more upset and the quality is not as high. At precollege, no one would dream of chatting during rehearsal or arriving unprepared. It is those few kids who may be very talented but don’t take their music seriously, which make a huge difference to the whole.</p>
<p>We just got back from a 9-day slog through the southwest and south to look at music schools. The Music School rep we talked to at Oklahoma City University was really pushing their summer program on us, claiming that they get about 20% of their incoming MT/VP freshmen from that program.</p>
<p>Especially if you can narrow your search down to a small number of schools, I think it’s an excellent way not only to give your child a taste of what college-level music is about … it also brings your child to the attention of key faculty members.</p>
<p>This is so true. My son is probably going to IU next year after spending 3 summers there in the IU Summer String Academy. He knows a few of the teachers, a number of the students already there or going, and feels very comfortable there - knows where the bathrooms and practise rooms are which was very helpful when he went for auditions!</p>