X-post: Summer Music Programs such as Eastman Horizons and Interlochen

[Hoggirl]

Not sure where to post this. Has anyone had a high school student attend a summer music program such as Eastman, Interlochen, Brevard, etc.? If so, would you please tell me about how selective the process is and what your dc's experience was like? Also, if your dc applied to more than one of these programs how you chose which one to attend? And finally, how the supervision was while attending?

 

My ds is a pianist. He has been playing for ten years. Recent piece includes Sonata in C-minor by Mozart - K457 if that helps.

[amy g.]

My son has been going to the interlochen piano program for 5 years. Last Lear, he was given a merit scholarship. When he gets out of business class, I'll ask him what the names of his audition pieces were.

 

I'm a very overprotective mom, and I have never had anything but great experiences with the interlochen staff. In fact, we let my 13 year old daughter go for visual art last summer.

[FaithManor]

I can only speak to Interlochen. I studied there in high school and have had piano students do so as well.

 

All I can say is that the level of instruction and supervision is outstanding. Interlochen State Park borders the facility and the park rangers also keep a very close watch on the kids. I've never seen a single teen out without being in a group and with an older camp counselor. The college students chosen for this go through a rather rigorous screening process.

 

I felt that the Interlochen program greatly enhanced my music education. It gave me access to a level of expertise that was unavailable in my area, new insights, new opinions, new challenges. I enjoyed the company of other musicians who shared my passion and drive.

 

As for college applications, I can tell you that my time at Interlochen netted $5000.00 per year in scholarships from the music department of my tier 1 LAC at a time when tuition/room/board totalled $8500.00 I had another $2500.00 in humanities department awards. So, the total I needed to come up with in my freshman year was $1000.00 and that was largely covered by all of the paid accompanying I did on campus as well as in the community.

 

I cannot tell you about the other programs, I can only say that Interlochen is WELL worth the investment.

 

Faith

[Shifra]

College Confidential has a lot of forums about Interlochen summer program, including this one.

[Beth in OH]

My dd attends the Interlochen Arts Academy boarding school and did a couple of the summer camps in middle school. I agree with others about quality teaching and supervision, both during camp and during the school year.

 

I can also speak to competitive admission. Tell your son to go for it. The high school summer programs are more competitive than the middle school programs, but normal, good, serious musicians can get in. You don't have to be a prodigy. Tell him to throw his hat in the ring, 'cause he'll never know unless he tries :). Once he has his audition CD prepared, he might as well send it to some other programs, too. Lots of universities/conservatories have them, and I'll bet he finds one that will be a good fit.

 

If your ds thinks he might want to attend conservatory, summer programs will be fairly important for his application. They also serve an important role in helping students learn skills from new teachers and in managing competition.

[Hoggirl]

He probably has a stronger interest in Eastman b/c it is a shorter program (3 weeks v. 6 at Interlochen). He has attended Duke TIP the last two summers and really doesn't want to give that up. He could do the three weeks at Duke TIP and then the three weeks at Eastman, but if he went with Interlochen, that would be it for the summer.

 

So, I am sort of bumping this to see if there are any Eastman folks out there. I have gotten some replies on College Confidential as well.

 

I really can't imagine him going to a conservatory, but I don't know. He really doesn't know for sure what he wants to study/major in. He went through a music business/technology phase and didn't have an interest in performance. Now, I think he is unsure. So, I don't think performance has been ruled out. I do think a summer program would give him a good feel for being immersed in music full-time. But, he may not even major in music! And, he kind of wants the whole college experience, I think - with athletics (for watching, not participating!). Which is why it is hard for me to picture him at a conservatory. But, we are trying to cover all bases, "just in case."

 

Thanks!