@TooManyViolinists Do you have any recommendations for a backup camp for strings we could apply to? Do you know anything about CIM’s chamber program? It’s only a week but better than nothing.
I have no idea if she’s going to get accepted into the summer festivals we applied to or not and I don’t want to be left hanging. Also want her to have a fun summer and she is really looking forward to doing them!
Oh I realize we are fortunate to have local opportunities in our small Midwestern city. I’m very grateful for them. I simply wanted to dispel the notion that families need to pay big bucks for multiple weeks-long festivals, competitions half a continent away, or hire-powered consultants in order for their kids to have a shot at good music programs.
Hi where did she apply for the summer? Between us we can prob make suggestions if we know roughly what type of programme she is looking for
Did she apply to kinhaven or greenwood? They may not b as intense a practice program as other places but they play tons of chamber and orchestra and kids (including mine) consider them transformational. Very collaborative and tons of fun.
I think that the competition wins were more important for my kid’s non-music application. For the conservatories/schools of music, all they cared about was the audition. We did know, however, of a kid who didn’t have a strong music resume, who had not studied with an illustrious teacher, who had a very strong audition, and was accepted at Juilliard, possibly because they thought, “If he can do this well without the training available to his competitors, what will he do with the training available here?”
Oh my goodness, the parents at the int’l competitions… I was the one saying, "Well, golly gee, I don’t know nothing about birthing no high ranking competitors, we’re just glad to be here (as my kid took first place). But I guess it’s the same in any competitive atmosphere. At least I wasn’t the one hiring the hit man to take out the top competitor! (That really happened in Texas cheerleading, 20 years ago!)
Probably you’re already doing everything you can for her. Precollege program? Check. Summer festivals? Check. Best local teacher available? Check. Apply for top summer programs like NYO as soon as she’s old enough? Check. And of course, supporting her in practicing, schoolwork, and some social life with friends, so she doesn’t go crazy from the stress.
Honestly, I’d only do competitions if she wants to, if she really likes competing. If they’re stressful for her, they’re not worth it. While my kid enjoyed them, what they really liked was meeting their peers there, and being able to try out the instruments exhibited there by the major manufacturers.
Perlman summer music school accepts as young as 12, I think. Once a student is in, they are invited back next year until they age out at 18. It’s probably the highest regarded summer program for string players. From what I heard the student musicians’ chatting, getting in Perlman receives higher respect than winning many competitions.
The CIM program is brand new, so no experience obviously, but the faculty looks great.
The one high level technique-type program that is still accepting applications is Sounding Point Academy.
There are several programs that have passed priority deadlines but are still accepting applications based on filling some gaps. These include Center Stage Strings, Ascent, and Bowdoin. There may be some others as well, but those are the ones I know of. My younger one applied to all three. Both my kids attended Center Stage Strings and had amazing experiences – I cannot recommend it enough for violin. It is not as well-known, but the younger students (12-16) tend to be extremely high level (higher level than at BUTI, Interlochen, Meadowmount, Heifetz Junior typically). Most of the students come from Colburn pre-college, MIC, San Fran pre-college, Seattle Coleman studio, with a smattering from the East Coast schools.
BUTI, Bowdoin > piano and violin
Will be applying to Brevard for piano this week
Good to know on CSS. I really liked their program but thought there was no chance since closed. Will give that one a try, and maybe Sounding Point or Ascent.
I think Perlman is closed for applications but maybe they’d still accept?
I am so glad I asked about the competitions. We weren’t going crazy on them but after the international one we did, I started getting worried that we weren’t doing enough and weren’t doing the right ones.
What is the value of these international competitions if the conservatories and music schools don’t value them that much? Used for non-music applications? Some of the prize money is decent.
I heard from one of her teachers that Kinhaven requires students to sign an NDA. This is from a student who attended last year. That is a no go for us. I cannot fathom why students would be asked to sign that but I’m not comfortable with it, regardless. We ruled out Greenwood, I can’t remember why though. I know those are both pretty popular.
For me, I finally began to believe what the teachers had been telling us about how exceptionally good the kid was. For the kid, they were fun (they won), and the prize instrument or money was nice, plus meeting all the other players. Most importantly, for non-music college apps, they made a very impressive show in the “awards” section. Definitely helped on those non-music college apps, I think. Kid wound up at a tippy-top. Still plays all the time, even competed, but no longer studies, is headed for med school.
Only reason to do them is if your kid really wants to do them.
Kinhaven is device free. He did not sign a NDA that I saw. @Medea1 do you remember anything about an NDA?
When did yours go? Because this was reported from last year and my understanding is that it is their current policy. Definitely a deal breaker from us. Have also heard that the levels there are not that high and that would be a disappointment for my daughter. She did one like that last year and left saying time to upgrade.
Ha! My son was there last year. The level is variable but there are kids who are going to Juilliard and tons of precollege kids. He absolutely loved it and it was a real collaborative, fun time. I do not remember an nda. I wonder what they are not disclosing?
They perform a full orchestra concert each week with three high level pieces and each kid performs 1-3 chamber pieces every week.
Are you sure its not a No Devices Agreement?
They did sign a no device agreement and an honor code thing. I am not going to comment on how many kids followed that but it is a device free camp. My son needs to keep a computer and his phone in the office this summer to be able to get college registration stuff done but otherwise they are very strict about devices.
Hmmmmm. I don’t remember signing any NDA. They must be talking about the rules we signed about devices.
Whoever thinks kids don’t cut it there:
My son tells me violins (because they were so many of them) were not as strong as other instruments. Overall level of playing is excellent. Environment is excellent. If you are looking for music and fun, that’s the place to go. If you want to be locked up in a practice room and just want a summer of nothing else but prepping for auditions, it’s not the place to be.
Look elsewhere to places like Meadowmount.
Last year my daughter applied to CSS a month late (long story about her trying to figure out if she wanted to fully switch to viola). It was not an issue. It is definitely fine to apply now as the deadline just passed.
No hope on applying to Perlman late.
As for the level at Kinhaven – they have a ton of their concerts available to view online. You can come to your own conclusions. I would say the level is about the same as Interlochen for violin, lower than BUTI, significantly lower than Heifetz, Meadowmount, or CSS (for same age peers), and nowhere near the level of Morningside or Perlman. But everybody seems to love it there, so it is really what you are looking for.