Youth Orchestras and Music festivals

<p>My kids play in two leading Bay Area orchestras SFSYO and CYS. Do college admissions officers (related to music) ever visit any youth orchestras? How about music festivals like CMEA, CODA?</p>

<p>My daughter is a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic, and they’ve had college reps stop by from time to time. I recall people from NEC, Colburn, and the San Francisco Conservatory this year.</p>

<p>I remember that Aspen visited SFSYO, and some students auditioned - so I assume other festivals do. You should ask Ron Gallman, or whoever else is working with the youth orchestra.</p>

<p>Thanks Mamenyu.
My D was accepted to Aspen this summer. She is a junior in HS and I’m told the students there are more college kids. Do you know if any college reps attend Aspen or other music festivals? We are new to the music application process. We have twins who play French horn and I’m trying to see if they can get any local exposure instead of doing multiple college visits as it is very expensive to criss-cross the country taking sample lessons and auditioning at various music schools.</p>

<p>While the college reps are very personable and nice to speak with, it is really the teachers that you want them to meet with. The list of teachers attending should definitely be available on each festival web site. </p>

<p>If you want to meet reps and pick up lots of literature and get on mailing lists, then check out the NACAC Performing and Visual Arts College Fair, held in a bunch of locations. Info at [Performing</a> & Visual Arts College Fairs](<a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/pva/Pages/default.aspx]Performing”>http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/pva/Pages/default.aspx)</p>

<p>Thanks Bass Dad. I checked out the website and marked the date on my calendar!</p>

<p>Aspen has annually had college fairs where the whole range of conservatories sends representatives and innundates the students with brochures, and students can indicate interest and ask questions. Aspen is a good place to take sample lessons with teachers from various conservatories, for an additional, not insubstantial, fee.
There are many high school age students there, who are housed in the same place - Marolt - and there is a curfew for them if they are under 18. But there is no real supervision apart from curfew check, and no camp-like activities; students are on their own for the most part to find activities, musical and otherwise, in addition to the weekly lesson and orchestra rehearsals, and endless free concerts and master classes with famous performers. The town of Aspen itself, however, is a very wealthy bubble of a place, so it is safe and easy to get around (there is a free bus into town and to the dorms and performance venues). (There are also little kids with their parents who spend much time at the practice rooms. I recommend paying for practice room space so there is always a room available every day for your kid.) If you can arrange it, it is also fun to visit as a parent - there is a reasonably-priced week-long pass for admission to most of the concerts (and you can also sit outside the “tent” on the lawn for free).</p>

<p>Interlochen has a college/conservatory day during their summer camp.</p>