Recommended Summer Music Programs for Piano?

College Majors Music Majors
1

<p>Hey guys, I am currently an undergraduate freshman nursing student, and I have been classically trained in piano since first grade. Not wanting to let go of my musical studies, I have been looking up many music programs that I may be interested in taking over the summer. However, I’d like to stay away from programs based on classical music, not that I am sick of it, but I prefer to learn other styles. I’ve been looking at programs especially at Berklee, but there are pros and cons to each one of them.</p>

<p>Berklee Twelve-Week Full-Credit Summer Program</p>

<p>This is equivalent to the first semester of Berklee’s core curriculum, which includes these classes:</p>

<pre><code>* Private instruction (two credits, one 30-minute lesson per week)

  • Instrumental/vocal labs or ensembles (one credit)
  • Ear training (three credits)
  • Harmony (two credits)
  • Introduction to Music Technology (two credits)
  • Writing skills or arranging (two credits)
    </code></pre>

<p>Since I have not had any music theory classes before in my life, I would prefer a program like this with actual classesthat I can actually learn from. Unfortunately, this program would be over $20,000, including housing, which is really expensive.</p>

<p>Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance</p>

<p>This is obviously the cheaper of the two programs, but I don’t know if I will actually learn much from this. I am currently in the Jazz Ensemble at my school, and all the teacher really does is give us sheet music and expects us to play it. She doesn’t really teach any theory; I’m pretty much trying to learn new things on my own, such as blues and pentatonic scales. I feel that this five-week program might just be the same way.</p>

<p>Berklee Piano/Keyboard Workshop</p>

<p>This is only a four-day program. Perhaps I can just apply for this along with one of the two above, considering that this is obviously way cheaper. However, as I said before, I prefer taking actual *classes<a href=“like%20the%20ones%20listed%20above”>/I</a> from which I can then apply to my musical skills.</p>

<p>Can anybody tell me their experiences if you have taken any of these? Are there other programs you may suggest I look over? I’ve heard of something else called NYSMF; can someone elaborate on this program too?</p>

2

<p>Hi Lettuce,
I cannot offer any advice. My son was looking at Berklee’s summer piano programs as well. I am hoping someone will respond to your questions with some insight!</p>

3

<p>I would think the 12-week would be overkill if you are not going to major in music. My daughter did the 5-week before her senior year in HS and did learn a lot. She felt really pushed in the ensembles. You audition in the first days to see what level you are in your playing and in theory and ear training, and then you are in grouped with other similar students. You do have to pick the genre that you will focus (jazz, rock, R&B, etc…) and that is what your ensembles (and lessons? can’t remember) will be based. If you’re really into your genre, you may get placed into a higher performance level which means you get to perform on the Berklee Performance blowout concert on the on big stage. Those concerts are all the last week and were really amazing. If you’re a freshman now, you will be in the age range of the top 50% of the students. The students come mostly from the US, but the top 10% of the performers come from many other countries too (Japan, Argentina, Africa … everywhere). You can also submit for special scholarship consideration to help with costs, which my daughter did and received $600.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the info SnowflakeVT. What is the approximate age range of the 5 week program students? Our son is going into his soph year in high school. I am wondering if the 4 day piano workshop would be more appropriate?</p>

5

<p>Hi Cayuga,
when my D did the 5-week in 2009, the majority seemed to be 17/18, or the summer before their senior year, or summer after their senior year. There was a chunk of kids that were 16, and part of them seemed to expect to do it the following summer as well. There were also a large number of students that were 19/20, and few even older than that, some being quite professional and from other countries. If your son is serious, and you have the financial ability, then he may want to do the 5-week and meet some other talented kids like himself. He can audition (for practice) for a scholarship, and then the next year he’ll really be prepared for an audition. The best kids that audition for a scholarship (for the Bachelor’s program) get announced as part of the 5-week blowout concert, so it’s pretty cool. The scholarship kids really standout at the 5-week, so everyone is happy when they get announced because it’s clear they deserved it. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>SnowflakeVT-Thanks. Do you happen to know how well supervised the kids are? I am wondering because our son would be on the younger side… We live only 1 hour away so conceivably, he could commute. Any idea if he would miss out a lot that way?</p>

7

<p>To get the most out of the program, my opinion is that he should not commute. There is good security in the dorms, so that shouldn’t be a problem, but part of the experience is getting around Boston and living in a city. A big part of the program is also socializing with other young, like-minded musicians. There are evening practice opportunities and jam sessions that cannot be planned. In addition, as a parent, you have to trust that your high school son is capable on his own, both in terms of the academics, but also socially and mentally. If you or your son is not ready to imagine the 5-week, then do the piano workshop this summer, and step up to the 5-week before his junior year, but for sure by his senior year. There are definitely many kids in the program that were going into their sophomore year … some of them weren’t strong enough to get into the best ensembles, but they seemed to have a great experience none-the-less as they met others like themselves that challenged them and also were on the same social level.</p>

8

<p>SnowflakeVT
Thanks for that advice. You make a good point. I guess that thing that concerns me is the issue of drugs. Of course they are everywhere, but so far our son has not been traveling in the circles where drugs are much of an issue. He has been away from home for 1 week camps and been fine. He is a pretty social kid, pretty adept that way. It is just the idea of him interacting with students 1-3 years older than himself that has me concerned.</p>