I doubt he will be a STEM major as he seems to really dislike anything to do with science. That may also be because of the amount of work (Labs! Reports!) one has to do for science vs. math (he is v. lazy!). But who knows may be he will end up there one day? I would prefer that he doesn’t but I keep such thoughts to myself and I am ruling nothing out.
Truth be told though I doubt he will connect much with anyone in either camp. He will just sit in his own corner and solve problems in math, or practice his own music and go to the free concerts with the score already downloaded from the internet.
But I do know that he will learn more in the math camp as I have seen the level of the curriculum and it is far more advanced than what he has taught himself so far. So it will be a nice challenge.
You can go over to the excellent music forum to ask this question if you like
What math or music opportunities are available at his school, or through year-round programs? For instance a kid doing conservatory prep might choose the math because he is already getting such excellent training. Alternatively if you have an excellent high school math dept. and math team, and/or community or other college nearby, perhaps music would be a priority for the summer.
Another question is his grade level. If he wants to study music, a summer program can be extremely helpful in preparing him for admissions, including getting prescreening materials done. On the other hand, if he wants to study math and keep music as an extracurricular, it might be helpful to try out math in a formal summer progra, which could clarify his goals and also help with admissions.
Music and math are both rigorous pursuits but whichever puts him in the zone, so to speak, would be the best choice. He will have to decide. Try flipping a coin and see if he feels disappointed if it is the wrong call!
Finally, many parents prefer their kids to do STEM rather than music (which some of us think is misguided!): how prepared are you to support him if the music camp inspires him to pursue music seriously in college (he must already be serious to some extent to get into the program).
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but my ex’s father, an engineer, refused to pay for him to go to college to study music. He was extremely talented, had already been selected to play on a jazz record that came out at about that time. He went and majored in computer science and has made a very good living. But his relationship with his father never recovered and he now plays in a band whenever he can, wishing that it had been his FIRST choice. I agree with compmom on this.
Compmom, This case is a little different. The opportunities for math and music are both top notch outside of the respective summer programs. The goal here is to find opportunities for a fun summer. This is not about education. Also like I said before he doesn’t want to study either music or math. Both are ECs to him, fun things to do when he needs to relieve stress. But of course this may change.
Right now we are facing a more existential question. The math camp includes weekends, the music camp doesn’t and he can come home with his dirty laundry. This is becoming a big decision criteria for him.
The kid did the analysis. Thank you sseamom. He followed this framework. He rated each program by three criteria, learning, fun, and creature comfort. He gave learning a weight of 1, fun a weight of 3, creature comfort a weight of 2. (I like his way of thinking!) Each criteria he scored in 1-5 scale, 1 being least and 5 being most. Math scored at 5, 4, 1 and music at 3, 5, 2. So math had total point of 19, and music 22, and he is skipping the math summer program. He is very happy with this way of coming to a decision and it is all his decision.
Congratulations to your son, who sounds like an amazing kid. His reasoning is great and is a pretty good system for other complicated decisions. Have fun at Tanglewood!
I was hoping for music but I would let him know that music programs are often very hard work and challenging.
(If he likes playing and composing I would suggest Walden School in Dublin NH for the future- very chill and creative, the kids take hikes and have dances and community is great, but music is stellar. Each kid composes a piece that is played in a festival at the end and they can also play in others’ works.)
Your son sounds like a very interesting young man. He also sounds like he is confident and knows himself, very impressive. Do you mind me asking what he is interested in majoring in. With what sounds like great talent in math and not interested in any STEM program I am curious.
I would figure out what would be easier to fill up the rest of the summer…easier to find another 4 week activity or would you rather have less time to fill in with stuff?
Squash camp? Or chess camp? Or some other sports related activity…swimming, yoga, tennis, Marshall arts? Around here, there are a ton of one week intensive things during the summers.
I really don’t want a fight, Thumper. The rest of the parents have given me great advice in a very friendly manner and I don’t want to sour that experience.
Does he have to be busy with outside activities all the time? Or is this because both parents work and he needs to be out of the house? Not so sure Tanglewood will be relaxing
and is a pretty good system for other complicated decisions. Have fun at Tanglewood! 