<p>Depending on what kind of experience your son is looking for you/he may be interested in checking out IES. This is a study abroad, not a festival. My son did the 6 week summer program and had a WONDERFUL experience in Vienna. They were very busy (9 credit hours), but had time to explore the city, travel a bit and make some new friends from around the U.S., as well as some Austrian friends. Everyone takes German language, Music History (specific to Vienna/Austria) and you can audition for a performance workshop (3credits) which includes lessons (son studied with a professor from the Vienna Conservatory) and assorted performance ops. as a soloist and with small groups (of other students from the program). They were very creative in using the different mix of vocalists and instrumentalists, as well as the one composition/conducting student that was in the program. S thought the (largely Austrian) faculty was top-notch, and classes are taught in a beautiful baroque palace around the corner from St. Stephan’s Cathedral. Students are housed in apartments around the city with an Austrian “R.A.” </p>
<p>IES has been around for a long time and offers overseas study all over the world for a 200+ member consortium of U.S. colleges and universities. If your student does not attend one of these schools, they can still go, there’s just a little extra paperwork. It seemed very well organized. I was not familiar with IES, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I sent him off, but I cannot imagine him having had a better experience (unless it was longer!). To be a music student in Vienna- what a perfect setting! He attended several operas and lots of assorted concerts, and is trying to figure out a way to get back!</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Austria/Vienna_Summer/viennaSummer.html[/url]”>https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Austria/Vienna_Summer/viennaSummer.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/home.html[/url]”>https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/home.html</a></p>