Question for those of you more knowledgeable - this is the first year my son is applying to competitive summer festivals. He’s a 10th grade violist. We have no idea of his chance of getting in, so we’re planning to apply to a broad group and hope he gets in somewhere. If he happens to get accepted into multiple programs and has to decline one or more, is it ok to then re-apply to those next year? What’s the etiquette here?
Absolutely ok. Happens all the time.
2 Likes
Great, that’s what I was hoping. We’re planning to apply to a bunch of programs and see what happens. He attends a title 1 school in a small town, so it’s hard to get a sense of where he would fall in a more competitive field.
1 Like
I also have a 10th grade violist and we are going through the same thing – deep in the middle of summer applications! I’d be happy to chat privately if you want to know how she fared with various applications the last two summers, as it may give you a sense of where your son might fall.
1 Like
If he happens to get accepted into multiple programs and has to decline one or more, is it ok to then re-apply to those next year?
Absolutely. Have been there and done that. It’s part of the process, and the programs understand that. (Which is why some of the acceptance response times and turnaround requirements can be frustrating.)
As a violist, he may have a slightly easier time than someone on violin or cello. Heifetz was actively working to recruit viola players last summer, including, I believe, offering partial scholarships. I would check into their junior session.
1 Like
To agree with other posters, it is de rigeur that a kid will get into multiple festivals, choose one, then the next year apply again to one they turned down and get in. I can’t think of any festivals that take the approach like if you turn them down, you are insulting them or something, they know kids are applying multiple places and that there are many reasons for choosing one festival over another. The people running the festivals likely were music students once, so they fully understand:).
1 Like
Another point regarding summer festivals, it is absolutely ok to ask for some financial assistance. Festivals/camps will not always offer up front, but we found there are often funds available.
1 Like
This is great info! Thanks! The cost on some of these programs is prohibitive, so will definitely be hoping for some aid. And probably will target some of the shorter festivals (2-3 weeks, as opposed to 6) for this reason as well.
I second the comment about asking for financial aid/scholarships if you want or need them. We’ve done several summer festivals and all of the ones that cost money increased their scholarship/aid amount (even the one that said “0” aid at first) after asking. Sometimes you can even ask a while after acceptance and let them know you didn’t get the outside scholarships/funding you had applied for and ask if they, therefore, have any aid available.
I know a kid who went last summer at age 13. I do think that is a bit of an awkward age to attend since the vast majority of the other kids are older. I think competition depends on who the faculty are and for what instrument each year.
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. If you’d like to reply, please flag the thread for moderator attention.