<p>Hi all!</p>
<p>Wanted some input...it's that time of the year again for summer programs and applications. Just a bit of background info - I play piano (and cello) and I am a high school senior (17 years old). I went to BUTI's double session Young Artists Piano Program last year (so I was one of four piano students there for six weeks) and was also asked to be the Young Artists Orchestra pianist for the summer. Additionally, I was in the BUTI Chamber Music Program where I was part of a piano quintet for the summer. </p>
<p>As for college/conservatories, I am currently ripping out my hair while waiting on prescreening results (still have Juilliard left to hear back from!) and preparing for conservatory auditions (NEC, Peabody, Rice, Northwestern, Manhattan, Vandy) coming up for the next few months. I've also applied to several universities and double-degree programs as well.</p>
<p>I am considering going back to BUTI again for 6 weeks...I had the time of my life last summer, and frankly, my experience at BUTI armed me with quite a bit of certainty in my previously indecisive mind about pursuing music. It was absolutely amazing - musically, socially, and emotionally, and I got along well with the teachers, students, and assistants there and we have kept in touch; in fact, they have all been a tremendous resource and support network when it has come to applying to conservatories and colleges and choosing the right teachers. HOWEVER, I had SUCH a good time there that I kind of don't want to rewrite the memories of the Tanglewood Summer of 09; I know that if I go back, it won't be the same experience (even though I've been told that it might be just as wonderful), and I don't want to spend my summer comparing BUTI 2010 to BUTI 2009. I know that that sounds like a somewhat foolish reason, but I feel like it might be a good idea to preserve that memory and have another great experience somewhere different, meeting other aspiring musicians, fantastic teachers, etc. in a new environment. </p>
<p>I am open to all possibilities in terms of length, although I do believe that staying at BUTI for the entire 6 week session rather than going for one of the 3-week sessions was a choice I am happy that I made. However, something different might be just as wonderful! </p>
<p>I am looking at Eastern Music Festival, Brevard (which I also got in to last year - it was a tough choice between Brevard and Tanglewood because Brevard gave me a nice sum of merit money, whereas I didn't get a cent from Tanglewood), and Yellow Barn Young Artists. I will also definitely be reapplying to BUTI. I thought really heavily about Aspen, but in the midst of deciding whether or not it would be a better idea to attend after a year or so in college, I realized that I had missed the application deadline (for some reason, I had initially thought it was January 14th instead of January 4th). </p>
<p>If anyone has any comments about the summer programs I am looking at (EMF, Brevard, Yellow Barn), that would be a huge help! I do know that I definitely want an environment comparable to the level that I was surrounded by at BUTI. Any other suggestions beyond these 3 would also be welcomed and any type of input would be appreciated - </p>
<p>Thanks a million!!!</p>