Has anyone’s child attended the Summer String Academy at IU Jacobs? My son is attending this summer for cello and he is thrilled. He chose it over Green Mountain because he wanted a program that is all high school or younger (he’s a sophomore this year), and because he is very excited about the faculty.
It will be his first time flying with his cello, probably completely on his own since we have to buy a ticket for the cello. We live in Oregon, so driving isn’t an option.
I’m looking for any experiences or advice about this program. Thank you!
Can’t speak to this specific program, but feel free to reach out with questions about the IU campus, Jacobs, Bloomington etc. My youngest daughter is a current sophomore there in vocal performance. I’ve also had 2 other kids attend Jacobs. We live only 90 minutes from the campus and have several family members who reside in Bloomington. Sort of know it like the back of my hand—except for maybe all their weird one way streets. Those get me every time
. Hope your son has a wonderful experience!
1 Like
I think this program closed down during COVID and is just coming back? So, likely there are not recent experiences. Always heard good things prior to COVID!
They definitely had cohorts after 2020, based on their social media. But it is a small program (60 students) so it’s a long shot to find others who have attended. My son is also very excited about getting to familiarize himself with Indiana/Jacobs to see if he can picture himself attending there.
I think they resumed in 2023, but it has been a bit bumpy of a return with so many years off and not many high level students the first few years. They haven’t achieved their previous status and top students just are not applying as much. I’m not sure why. But it looks like this year they are really trying to pump up the faculty (aside from viola) so hopefully it will be returning to its former glory.
When my son was 13, back in 2012, he attended the Summer String Academy. That was so long ago that I don’t know whether the culture of the Academy remains pretty much the same way today. A defining feature of my son’s experience was the insular nature of its leadership; it felt like an IU-exclusive ecosystem. From the founder, Mimi Zweig, down to the instructors, almost everyone was an IU affiliate or a former student of hers. This created a visible hierarchy where well-connected students—those brought in by their own teachers within the Zweig lineage—seemed to receive preferential treatment in master class selections and ensemble assignments.
The contrast became clear the following summer when he attended the Heifetz International Music Institute in Staunton, VA. The caliber of instruction and the overall atmosphere there were on an entirely different level.
1 Like
Hmmm… interesting. I think my son is excited to study with the IU faculty who will be there, and Richard Aaron, so the cello faculty certainly was a draw this year. Green Mountain would be more prestigious, I guess, for a high school student, but it’s so far, it’s a big program, and felt a little overwhelming.
My S also went years ago, 2009. He’s a cellist also. He loved it then and had a great experience. He loved the chamber music and solo music focus as he was in a local, really great orchestra focused program during the school year. Richard Aaron and Brandon Vamos are very well regarded and could be good connections to have. I don’t know anything about Megan Yip but she’s at UMich which has a strong cello program. My S loved the IU campus.
For future years you might want to consider the Madeline Island music festival. It’s a small program that’s entirely chamber music. At the time my S went (2010) they had a chef for the program and it was definitely the best food of any program my S ever attended. Also the island is small and safe and the students could explore during down time.
1 Like