I would just tell them that I felt unsure about what to do, and understand they are also unsure about how to proceed. It is then reasonable to say you might be more comfortable waiting to pay, but are open to discussing that.
Once college-aged, it is true that my kids took over such communication, but understand the financial anxiety here and you are paying, not Berklee.
@compmom , that’s pretty much exactly what my email said. And yeah–I’d feel better having my son do all the communication (he generally would too), but the lack of responsiveness in this case (to my son’s email and to my phone call)–and the upcoming “deadline” for payment–just made me feel that I should push a bit more from the “I’m the one writing the check” perspective!
And yet, still not a word in response. I get that no one knows what is going to happen from one day to the next, but even an email that SAYS, “No one knows what is going to happen from one day to the next, but we are working on this and will definitely be back to you by (sometime in the next couple of days)” would be better than nothing.
My son just got an email from a summer festival that had admitted him in the Marche region of Italy, cancelling the 2020 summer program due to the virus and travel restrictions in Italy. He is still considering a couple Austrian programs; but with all the uncertainty, domestic programs that are practically in the middle of nowhere that he would not otherwise have considered are starting to look very attractive.
I’m sorry, @vistajay . I wish my son had applied to some “domestic programs that are practically in the middle of nowhere” as well, just so he will have something productive to do if the other one doesn’t pan out!
But yeah–you got an email, from that program and from others. I would appreciate the same courtesy from the organization sponsoring the program my son was planning to attend. It’s not making a particularly good impression on me that we’re hearing nothing whatsoever.
I hope your son and mine do get to Austria somehow, but at the moment it’s not looking too good, especially considering its proximity to Italy (I have a feeling that the virus itself won’t honor border restrictions!).
@AsMother , there are still domestic programs taking applications, and we’ve found even ones a month past their application due dates were still talking audition tapes and trying to fill their programs. I know you are tied to the program you’ve sent money to, at the moment. But should that change you may be able to find a domestic program.
Thanks, @vistajay ! If you know of any for composers or film-scoring, I’d appreciate any recommendations.
Any thoughts on/experience with Sewanee’s or Banff’s summer programs? I LOVE Banff!
My kid is auditioning for Sewanee. His department chair goes there every year and the line up for professors in his discipline look great. Take a look at the faculty and repertoire and see if it jives with your kid. (I’m with you - I love Banff!) Deadline for applications is this week.
Thank you, @Lendlees ! I’ve sent him links to both programs (although I assume he’s seen them before, while looking at various programs). He’s very particular about what he wants to do and take at any given time, and I’ve actually learned that his instincts about such things are good. Vienna would definitely be his kind of “thing” right now, but it would be great if he had other alternatives that he found worthwhile.
The Banff program revolves around collaboration between composers, choreographers, and dancers, which is not something that he’s had experience with, so in MY mind it could be an interesting way to get out of his comfort zone. But that’s up to him. I guess. 
I’m also wondering if travel even to and from Canada might eventually become problematic due to Covid-19.
Sewanee sounds great (good luck on the audition!). I haven’t heard back from him about what he thinks, but I’m thinking I could pass myself off as a musician/composer (NOT!!! ) and apply to Banff, just to be there!
Still not a peep from Vienna. The faculty, as @compmom assured me (and she would know!) is excellent, but at the moment I’m not impressed by the organization. Perhaps they will pleasantly surprise us before tomorrow.
Austria is still dealing with uncertainty, Italy, unfortunately, is not. I would be patient with their difficulty with decisions (but perhaps not with their communicating about it!).
There are many domestic programs, but not sure which ones are still open. Composers Conference (at Brandeis now, used to be Wellesely Composers Conference), Brevard, SICPP at NEC (early in the summer), Atlantic, New Music on the Point, June in Buffalo, Mizzou, Sonoma, and National Parks have composer programs (one in Alaska and one in Wyoming that I know of). Just off the top of my head. There are also various workshops in electronics, using Max and so on (check UC Berkeley).
Check the Composers Site and the Walden list:
http://composerssite.com/
https://waldenschool.org/about/resources/
oh-here is the Wyoming one: http://composerssite.com/opportunity/14083
Thank you, as usual, @compmom . I totally understand their dilemma at this point, and do sympathize, but, as you say, it’s the lack of any communication whatsoever that I’m annoyed about…even, as I said, if it’s just to say, “We just don’t know yet, but here’s what will happen IF…” I’d feel a lot better about it.
Speaking of communication, my son just called to tell me that Berklee has followed suit with so many others so far (good decision, I believe), and will be conducting classes online for the rest of the semester. So he and his friends are now scrambling to pack what they will need and get the rest into storage…they only have until Friday to figure it all out, but it will work out.
I’ve been checking the Composers Site off and on, as he probably has too, but I don’t recall seeing most of those. I’ll go back and take another look–Wyoming is cool!
Bummer! Applicants for Wyoming have to be 22. He’s only 21. But I’m 58!!
Here’s the Alaska one https://www.composinginthewilderness.com/
Has anyone seen/heard any info from Meadowmount regarding possible implications of the coronaviris situation?