<p>My son was just accepted into the piano program. What is the typical daily schedule? Is it hard to get a piano room for practice? Since he is at the young end of the 14-18 age range, does he need to share a bedroom with another kid? The acceptance letter says that there would be a recital on every Saturday. Are they student recitals? Does every student need to participate every Saturday? How does the master classes work? Is the assumption that most students are from the U.S. correct? Does the assigned teacher teach the pieces that the student has already know, or new pieces will be assigned and taught? I know that I am asking too many questions. But really appreciate if someone would shed some light on my questions. Thanks.</p>
<p>I cannot speak directly to the piano program, but I can tell you what I know from our experience with a workshop and wind program. First, it was a life changing summer for my child. Yes, there are master classes. Yes, the students are expected to practice and there are practice sheds scattered all over the beautiful campus. The dorms are small and very intimate. Everyone that I know of shares a room. My child is in regular contact with several of the students from the time spent at Tanglewood and they have all been sharing the audition season experiences together during their senior year. They have access to the BSO performances and the TMC Fellows performances. The RA’s are top notch. If flying, make sure you fly into Albany and schedule the Tanglewood pickup. They have a shuttle that goes back and forth on arrival day and it makes things VERY easy! When my spouse and I went up to visit and attend the final concert, we flew into Boston and drove over due to cost of tickets being so much cheaper. This is not an option for the child on move in day or move out day if they are solo. Shirley Leiphon is a goldmine of help. There’s chamber music, there’s down time, there’s time spent doing your laundry (quarters, lots of quarters) and the mail service is great for when you send things. There’s not internet and cell reception can be hit or miss, but some of the students did bring their laptops and watch movies that they had with them. All in all, it’s all it says it is and your child will have one incredible summer! My child is going back for year two…he couldn’t wait to get back.</p>
<p>I also cannot speak for piano as my daughter is a wind player. She first attended Tanglewood when she was 14, and had a 15-year old roommate. That summer was her life-changing experience, and this summer will be her third there. She has attended a number of other camps, but Tanglewood is her favorite. You should e-mail Shirley Leiphon at the BU Tanglewood office; she is great about aswering questions–I ask a lot!</p>
<p>In my daughter’s classes, she worked on pieces that she had studied and ones that were new. Everyone participated in master classes and everyone had a chance to play. I believe there are student recitals at least every other week; don’t know about every week. The winds also perform in wind ensemble or orchestra, which pianists wouldn’t do.</p>
<p>crazymusicmom and woodwinds,</p>
<p>Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>It is a 3-hour drive from where we live to Lenox. The logistics is much easier for us.</p>