Had a question on Bowdoin. DD14 applied last year and I was told here afterwards that applying then was pointless, they only accept older students. I’m assuming this is still true but wanted to check as they just sent us an email application. Thanks!
I asked my son, who went to Bowdoin both as a student and as a fellow, and also has played there with his group as a guest group. He said they do accept kids, but it is way, way more competitive than it had been, which may explain the difficulty of getting in. He suggested looking at Meadowmount or Green Mountain Chamber Music festival in Vermont as possible alternatives in terms of faculty and the level of the program.
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His suggestions for alternates to Bowdoin are interesting, thank you! I had the impression those two programs are good but definitely not on part with Bowdoin.
Any idea why it’s become so competitive? Also, what age is ‘kids’ - like 15 and above? After applying last year someone here told me don’t even think about applying there until junior (16-17 yrs.)
I’m a high school teacher. I take students on overnight field trips. I guess the age limit has more to do with housing arrangements than competitiveness. When we take students on trips, under 16 sometimes have limits, depending on the destination.
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Thanks for posting this and wondering the same. My daughter applied last year at 14 (viola) and did not get in – and neither did any of her 15-year-old violinist and cellist friends. But there were 16 and 17-year-olds violinists and cellists in her program who were not as advanced who DID get it, so I think age is definitely a big part of how they admit students. There was one exception that we know of who got in young.
My understanding of Bowdoin is that like many summer programs, students of faculty get a bit of an edge. Then they seem to wade through the older unaffiliated students.
As for level, I would say Bowdoin and Meadowmount are similar in level, but it for sure depends on instrument. For example, it is harder to get into Meadowmount on cello. I would not put Green Mountain in the same category.
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I didn’t ask him specifically about ages but I suspect that kids under 15/16 might have a hard time getting in there. The reason for the competition is the reputation of the place, pure and simple, and Bowdoin has become one of the top music festivals, it has top faculty, the Yings who run it have a big reputation, and as a result kids want to go there. It is also a big program that covers a lot of things, plus they have some top chamber groups who are in residence to coach like the Attaca and Jupiter quarters, as well as the Yings.
Meadowmount has always been known as a top program, a lot of the kids from Juilliard Pre College and the like go there, and they have been known as an intensive program. Originally it was founded by Galamian and was kind of known as an intense place, then Sally Thomas took it over and ran it for years. From what I know , they still have top faculty there and they get a lot of the hyper talented kids applying there.
Green Mountain was a mid level program when Kevin Lawrence ran it, it has moved up quite a bit in recent years in terms of faculty and approach from what I know. It has a strong emphasis on chamber music, focuses on it exclusively, which makes it a big different than Meadowmount or Bowdoin (both do chamber, but they are broader in interest from what I know).
Festivals are a funny thing, what works for one person doesn’t work for another. I don’t think Bowdoin or any festival is the be all and end of anything, they all have pluses and minuses. Keep in mind my son’s view for example is focused on chamber music (being a chamber musician), so his suggestions are based in how they handle chamber. One thing with music, don’t ever go entirely what ‘people say’, like saying "oh, they dont take kids’ , unless you are sure they have reason to know that (I have heard plenty of ‘facts’ about music programs over the years that are not true; for example, the people saying Bowdoin doesn’t take kids may be upset they or their kids didn’t get in there, and use that rather than what may be more likely, that they had a lot of really talented kids applying and their kids didn’t make it. Had another parent tell me that one year a certain music school was only taking like 3 violinists between grad and undergrad, that is why their kid didn’t get in. I know for a fact they took a lot more than that, my son was in residence there and knew the violin studios).
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Thank you again, old_music_print. I find your comments here very helpful 
Agree with you on the hearsay on festivals and schools. YMMV seems to be the only real truth, lol.
This is interesting. May I ask how you came to this conclusion?
Well, mostly because anywhere we have been, you will find the teachers there bringing several of their students. It’s really just a standard thing. Every single program anyone in our family has ever attended has been this way.
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There is truth to this, that faculty often brings students to the programs they are associated with. It is sort of like little league all stars where the coaches kids often make it. IME teachers won’t take students there who aren’t at the level of other kids going, among other things teachers want to project a positive image for their studios.
Confirming. We’ve seen this at other programs as well, where a faculty member has brought their kids in. Not that they’re not qualified, but they have a clear “in”
Also, still haven’t been accepted at Bowdoin. Attempt #3 coming up…
This is my kid’s second attempt at Bowdoin; he submitted his application this evening while saying, “I won’t get in.” Last year after he applied we noticed the following statement for the older college age (age 21+) fully funded fellowship program: “When applying to the Fellowship Program, you may indicate whether you would also like to be considered for the Instrumental or Composition Program if you don’t receive a fellowship position. You only need to fill out one application.” So knowing as a junior in high school he is up against conservatory students finishing undergrad / working on masters degrees he understands that it would be great if he gets a spot but he’s being realistic in his expectations.
My 9th grade is an oboe player. DC did Interlochen intermediate orchestra last summer.
But its senior program is too early, our school will not be done by the time it starts.
Any suggestion for other summer programs?
For oboe, take a look at Tanglewood and Brevard.
Also, students can attend the 6 week Interlochen program without doing the 1 week intensive which runs just beforehand. Not sure if one week later would fit with your oboist’s school schedule.
Feel free to message me if you have questions. It’s been a few years, but my son had good experiences with all of the above.
Another possibility is Idyllwild Arts. (Southern CA) My son knows and likes the teacher there but has not attended.
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If they are interested in a more fun chamber program definitely have them look into Kinhaven and Greenwood. No solo work but the kids love it and go back year after year. Definitely competitive for winds since they take 2-3 only
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Thank you very much for the suggestions! DC will apply Tanglewood but it’ll be hard to get in. Both brevard and 6-week interlochen start one week earlier before our school ends. Idyllwild Arts is too far for us, we’re at east coast.
DC got in Greenwood last summer but went to interlochen instead. Is it OK to apply again for this summer?
We heard many students love Kinhaven but it looks this year it will start one week earlier than our school ends.
In general, is it allowed & OK to miss the 1st week of music summer camp? Hard to catch up? Hard to make friends?
It is absolutely fine to apply again. Did they apply for junior or senior camp?
I do not think that Kinhaven would allow missing the first week, and wow, they start early this year! I know multiple kids from the NYC public school system went to kinhaven last year and they just missed the last week of school, that is how much they love the place. S24 had several friends that were there since junior camp and could have gone anywhere.
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I know mine missed the first couple days of Interlochen when he went after 10th grade. It was not a problem either for making friends or catching up.
I’m guessing it is somewhat common that kids miss due to school conflicts. Especially for the programs that start early to mid June.
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In 2021 and 2022, missing several days of summer program was quite common because of COVID. Last year I know Aspen accommodated some late arrivals. Their program was 4 weeks and 8 weeks with weekly performances. Late arrival and early departure people missed that round of rehearsal and performance. NYSOS is a winter program and runs only 10 days so no absence, at least no planned absence.