ncmomo3 Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 My dc's music instructor wants her to go to Interlochen music academy next summer. Does anyone have a child that has been involved with this fine arts academy/summer program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetreasurs Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 How old is your child? My daughter went after 8th grade (for 3 weeks) and had a marvelous time. The music instructors are outstanding, incredible really. Cabin life is quite rustic; my daughter ended up with 16 girls in a cabin that had only 2 showers She figured out fairly quickly that taking showers at night was much easier than trying to fight the morning rush. The food is fairly terrible.:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncmomo3 Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 How old is your child? My daughter went after 8th grade (for 3 weeks) and had a marvelous time. The music instructors are outstanding, incredible really. Cabin life is quite rustic; my daughter ended up with 16 girls in a cabin that had only 2 showers She figured out fairly quickly that taking showers at night was much easier than trying to fight the morning rush. The food is fairly terrible.:( She is in 5th grade, and would be going next year. I have concerns about the environment. I have pre-concieved ideas about how musicians who are that deep into the arts community may be. I need my fears assuaged. My dd has, by design, been fairly sheltered. Can you tell me if you dd came home with any experiences that you may have rather she had not had? Would you send her again without reservation? Were the other children kind and accepting? Any more insight you can give would be so very appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetreasurs Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I forgot to ask what instrument<g>. My daughter was an organ/piano major and also took choir. The teachers were/are wonderful and not quirky. One of the choir assistants is someone that used to work at our church. Organists tend to be fairly conservative people; Most become interested in playing the instrument while attending church - with their families. Interlochen has a unique organ program with its own little practice building and the teacher is almost always there. The guys last name is Bara (pronounced bearah) and the kids nickname him Papa Bear(a). He was married but didn't have kids yet. Being able to interact with others passionate about music was a wonderful experience for my daughter and she particularly enjoyed the camaraderie among the organ majors. She made friends with a another girl her age and they still keep in touch - even roomed together at another camp last summer. Taken as a whole, the student body is liberal but my daughter found someone that would attend Mass with her every Sunday - a rather heroic effort since the service began at 8AM! There is a definite openness about s*xual orientation but with a fifth grader in the junior division, I don't think that would be an issue yet. I think the whole situation depends on the child. My daughter received a full scholarship for a music camp (not Interlochen) when she was twelve and we let her go. Upon arrival, she fell in with a group that immediately made her uncomfortable. In her words, “They were telling jokes that I didn’t understand and didn’t want to understand.” She left right away and ended up making friends with another girl like herself. My other kids might not have walked away so soon . . . Hope this helps.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncmomo3 Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Thanks. I am afraid my dd may be one not walk away when she should (when she is older that is--she plays flute btw)and I worry about her nature in that environment. Like you said, maybe not now, but I would in a few years. It may be just fine for next year, and then we will take it one year at a time after that. Thank you for your insight. It has been very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncmomo3 Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 Thank you Eliana. This is going to be a tough decision for the very reasons you have stated. I really appreciate your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne/Ankara Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 We have a friend who went there in sixth grade, and really loved it (violin). There was no problem at all, and the music instruction was tremendous. For our family, we decided that we'd wait until end of seventh grade before trying these residential camps, because our kids are not that worldly and really we felt there was no hurry to start these programs (also, they are very expensive!). Just an observation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetreasurs Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Musicians have to be careful of themselves if they want to keep the ability to perform at a high level - this includes the teachers and the students. Most of the musicians that I know that are employed at schools, universities, and churches are well-adjusted and fairly happy to be able to earn a living doing what they love. The stereotypical self-destructive musicians we see in the movies and in the news tend to be pop stars that are talented yet burn out quickly - though nowadays these types aren't even necessarily talented, just good looking<g>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Needleroozer Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 My dd went to Interlochen last summer, just after 5th grade as well. Her instrument is piano. Other than her being extremely lonely (most of the kids' parents were staying nearby), she did very well. She really benefited from going in so many ways. We have been lax in posting to it much at all, but we do have a blog about Piano Girl's adventure in getting to and being at Interlochen. She has chosen not to go this year, as she would rather save for the down payment on a baby grand right now. Let me know of any specific questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncmomo3 Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 Let me know of any specific questions. pm'd you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleni Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 My sister went to their high school, but that was, obviously, quite a number of years ago. The standards, both academic and artistic, were *very* high, the other kids were, for the most part, kind and welcoming, and she had a fabulous experience. However, I would be very hesitant to send a child of mine into this type of environment. So much of the atmosphere is dependent on the other children who come that year, and if your child has been quite sheltered (as mine have been) odds are she will be exposed to things you might not want her to be. I don't think you need to have any more concern about artistic types than about math types or computer people, or science folks... people are people. I do think you are right to be concerned about sending a child that age into a boarding situation, even a short one, with a group of kids of assorted backgrounds. Eliana My good friend in high school went there to finish out his SR. year. He told me some pretty crazy stories. I think things like that are possible at any boarding school though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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