Summer camps for a 15 year old vocalist?

College Majors Music Majors
1

<p>I am a 15 year old sophomore, and I aspire to be a vocal performance major in college. I really want to go to a sining focused camp this summer, and my parents told me to do my research about the best camps. I’ve already started, but I really need opinions on what the best places are for singers. I can travel anywhere, and I just turned 15 so there are some places I couldn’t go because of age. I have been in private lessons on and off for five years, but regularly for two. I am a soprano, and I sing classical and musical theatre but I am skeptical of musical theatre focused camps because I really want to focus mostly on my voice, and I feel most musical theatre camps spend most of their time acting and dancing and just a little bit of time singing. These are the camps I have looked at so far </p>

<ul>
<li> Tanglewood (BUTI) </li>
<li> Berklee School of Music </li>
<li> Walnut Hill Opera </li>
<li> Washington National Opera Institute </li>
<li> NSMI (Northwestern) </li>
<li> Brevard </li>
<li> Interlochen</li>
</ul>

<p>They all sound really good, so I was hoping for additional opinions from experience, perhaps? Especially on Northwestern because their website doesn’t have as much information as some of the other ones. I am really interested in BUTI, but I’m worried about the competitiveness. I think I am pretty good for my age, but I guess the only way to find out would be to audition. All opinions/advice would be helpful please!</p>

2

<p>BUTI is not a camp. It is an audition based intensive program for young musicians that provides an outstanding experience, furthering your study and your exposure to other young musicians, the faculty, master classes and exposure to Tanglewood performances. The Young Vocalists program is six weeks. Both Boston Conservatory and Eastman School of Music do also offer summer vocal programs as does Interlochen. Berklee does not offer any programs in classical music either during the summer or in general. Northwestern’s summer program is in musical theater. B</p>

3

<p>My D applied and was accepted to Oberlin’s summer program when she was 15. I can also recommend Broadway Alliance Artists summer program. They let you identify which discipline you want to focus on - singing dancing or acting. Yes, you will do all three but the majority of your time will be spent on the focus you choose. You get to audition for talent agents and get instruction from Broadway performers and producers. Quite an interesting experience. They also have shorter experiences such as President’s Weekend. Check out their website. WAlnut Hill is a great experience, too. Be sure to apply for their scholarship competition.</p>

4

<p>EDIT: I reread your post and it wasn’t that rude after all. I’m sorry. But I’ll keep this up, because I really want people to have nice and respectful posts, that have information about things I don’t already know because I’ve researched most of these places pretty thoroughly on their websites, other websites, and through watching videos of their students. </p>

<p>I’ve done my research on all of these places, so I know Berklee doesn’t do classical music, but I am also kind of interestd in their jazz vocal program, but I don’t know how much I’d learn from it. I’m not looking exclusively at classical programs, although most of the camps I am interested in are classical.</p>

<p>I know Northwestern has at some point or another had a classical program, because I’ve seen the videos of their performers on youtube. Here is the link to the website
[Voice</a>, Programs, NHSMI, Pre-college and Community, Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.music.northwestern.edu/precollegecommunity/nhsmi/voice.html]Voice”>http://www.music.northwestern.edu/precollegecommunity/nhsmi/voice.html)</p>

<p>I’ve done my research, so it looks like they do have a classical program, but I don’t know much about their musical theatre program either, which I would be open to. I called the places camps because that is what I call it every summer when I go away to sleep somewhere else for a long period of time. I really want to hear about the experiences that people have had at these camps, because I’ve done my research online and know basic things about them. I appreciate input on other camps not on my list too, but please do not be rude and don’t think I don’t at least have a little bit of knowledge about what I am talking about. The first poster came off very as very offensive, and I’m not sure if you meant to, but I will have you know that I am not a stupid child, and I just really want to know about all of the institutions that I can visit this upcoming summer, whether they be in classical voice or another form, and I would PREFER and audition based program, because I really want to get quality learning over the summer.</p>

<p>The Broadway program sounds interesting. </p>

<p>Thank you for having helpful and respectful posts.</p>

5

<p>[2010</a> Vocal Program - Hawaii Performing Arts Festival](<a href=“http://www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org/vocal-program.aspx]2010”>http://www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org/vocal-program.aspx)
Look into Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, (not really a camp, but an opportunity to study with some top teachers and coaches in a spectacular setting)</p>

6

<p>My D did Interlochen Vocal Arts and Operetta, and loved it (six weeks). She chose it over their solo arts program (4 weeks) because she wanted to study piano as well, as an elective. She had also been accepted to BUTI. She loved the Interlochen experience, studied voice primary, piano secondary, as well as music theory. It is very much a “full camp experience” complete with sharing a cabin with too many girls! She sang in the operetta as well as chorus, and her voice developed a great deal in those six weeks. Her voice teacher back home was very pleased when she returned. Good luck to you! btw, musicamusica makes a good suggestion as well–some great teachers in that Hawaii program.</p>

7

<p>Specifically about the Interlochen program, a couple questions

  • Are there any solo opportunities in the choral/operetta program? I really want to have at least some solo opportunities over the summer
  • Do campers stay in cabins and bunks? I’ve had several sleepaway summers, but they have mostly been at boarding school or college campuses. I’m not a fan of cabins, but if it was a great program, I could probably survive. Is there any other program in which students stay in cabins and not in dorms on my list? </p>

<p>On Hawaii and BAA it looks like they don’t have housing options. Would I need to bring a parent with me for transportation from my hotel to the program, or how would that work to those of you that suggested those programs? </p>

<p>Thanks for the advice so far.</p>

8

<p>Brevard is in cabins, but it is supposed to be a great program. D applied and was accepted but it was too close to home for her. She is not a great fan of cabins either. We rode up and looked at it.</p>

9

<p>ON the Broadway Artists Alliance, we went for the President’s Weekend program. The students stay in a hotel and there is a “counselor” that walks them to the Ripley Grier studios to work. Because it was such a short time, there were a lot of parents who just had a weekend vacation in NYC because they came with their kids. There were some tremendously talented participants - some of who were already regulars in Broadway-type shows. We received callbacks from talent agents when we returned. I’m sure they would be glad to answer any questions. I can guarantee you that these folks are serious about their programs and the results they expect to get. My D went to a Broadway show with the group and they go backstage and do a Q&A with some of the cast. Once you get accepted into their program, you are accepted into future programs automatically.</p>

10

<p>In the Hawaii program they furnish transportation to younger students who stay at a private school dormitory.</p>

11

<p>Interlochen summer has cabins and bunks. VAO does have some solo opportunities–my D sang solos in the “honors recital.” I think the soloists for the operetta come from VOA. You might want to audition for the vocal solo program–they will consider you automatically for the VOA if you apply for the solo program. Solo program is 4 weeks, vocal arts and operetta is 6 weeks. Go on their website and you can find out more, and ask for info to be sent to you. If you decide you’d like a camp experience, Interlochen is very much worth considering.</p>

12

<p>I’m just adding to this thread, because its still on the same topic. My coach and I are starting to work on songs that I can use on my audition tapes and such, and I’ll be putting all m things together by this winter. I was talking to my dad, and based on what he’s seen, all the programs seem really competitive and he wants me to have some safeties. I have five places on my list, in this order (for the most part)</p>

<p>1.) Tanglewood (BUTI)
2.) NHSMI (Northwestern)
3.) Eastman
4.) Boston Conservatory
5.) Walnut Hill </p>

<ul>
<li>Maybe Interlochen, but it is iffy because my parents don’t want to send me to Michigan this summer because I went there last summer, and I don’t want to sleep in cabins, and I would rather spend my time studying and singing, and I don’t want to go do traditional camp activities, however, I know they have a good program. I might apply just to see if I can get in. </li>
</ul>

<p>My dad says I should find a “safe” place in case I don’t get in to any of these places. Local programs don’t really work for me, because my parents wouldn’t be able to drive me, and I can’t drive. I also really enjoy going away. Does anyone know of programs that I could apply to as a safety? I kind of feel more comfortable with audition based programs, because I want to spend my summer with talented people!</p>

13

<p>My son isn’t a singer, but he has now spent summers at both BUTI and Brevard. I can’t comment on the voice program, but between the two I think BUTI is a bit better in terms of accomodations and facilities, as well as the quality of the concerts you get to see. On the other hand, BUTI has really terrible food.</p>

14

<p>Having made the mistake of buying a meal to dine with my daughter at the BUTI student cafeteria, I second Hunt’s comment about the food there. Every visit after that, we made sure to take her and a couple of her friends out to a local restaurant and they were quite happy to go. The restaurants in town (a short walk from the Tanglewood grounds), at least those that were relatively less expensive than the fancier places, were always filled with BUTI kids in the evenings and on weekends.</p>

15

<p>my D (16) is also searching for a summer program for voice, and had a similar list. After reading your/ and the answers to your post, we added the Hawaiian & Eastman sessions to our list…</p>

16

<p>Look into Westminster Choir College programs for the summer (pre-college). They are 2 week programs in Classical Voice and Musical Theatre that can be combined. I believe most are non-audition based.</p>

17

<p>I highly recommend applying to the vocal soloist program at Interlochen Arts Camp. The fact of being in cabins, etc., is well secondary to the tremendous boost one can get from this program. I mean, it WELL outweighs any temporary inconveniences of eating in a cafeteria, etc. As for being in Michigan, that’s irrelevant with the exception that it is a very attractive rural area there. Interlochen attracts students from a surprising range of places in this world - we have 4 yrs summer experience with Camp. The friends and contacts you will make are likely to be diverse.
The student tends to be very busy with this 4 week program. It’s solid. Our family has 2 yrs of experience with that specific program. It featured excellent teaching and coaching and performance experiences without straining the voice, in our experience. IMO at your age you are well advised to take care with that, even at the most prestigious of Voice programs. Also try to stay healthy and wash your hands :)</p>

18

<p>Now I’m getting ready to actually apply to camps, and I have a list of five (I replaced NHSMI with Brevard, because NHSMI no longer exists) I’ve ha several conversations with my parents about camps, and they were supportive, until recently - they started complaining about the prices, which I understand. Tanglewood is still my first choice by far. Through my observations on their Website, and on CC, I think it has a great reputation. My dad thinks it looks like a ripoff, and he doesn’t think the experience is worth the money. Is it? To me, it seems like probably the greatest opportunity I could ask for right now. Does anyone know where I could find more information that supports BUTI YAVP? I told him that I might not even get in, and if I did, I would want to make it happen, but he doesn’t think it is worth $7,000. The only bad thing I’ve heard about BUTI is the food. We never get financial aid for anything - it isn’t that we don’t have the money, but more-so that my parents just want to make sure that what they pay for has value.</p>

19

<p>I studied voice at Interlochen for several summers and really enjoyed it. It’s truly a great experience - musically, everyone is top-notch, and it’s fantastic to get to work alongside other motivated and driven young artists. I liked it so much that when I was offered a scholarship to study at the boarding school I was ecstatic. It’s really a great program, and I guarantee you’ll take something away from it. </p>

<p>The cabins are not terrible - actually, apart from the lack of air-conditioning/heating, they’re really fun to live in. The cafeteria food is also decent, but admittedly does get a little boring after a while. </p>

<p>However, as lateparty mentioned, these aspects are completely secondary to the experience of the camp itself. I think this program should be at the top of your list.</p>

<p>Also, check into the Opera Festival di Roma. I auditioned when I was 16 and got parts in Le Nozze di Figaro and Suor Angelica. The tuition is pretty steep - it was about $7,000 then, and that could’ve changed by now - but you get the chance to work alongside fabulous coaches and put together two operas as well as a recital of opera scenes. It is competitive, though, so if you decide to go this route make sure you’re completely ready! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>If you have any questions about Interlochen or anything, I’d be happy to help.</p>

20

<p>Thanks so much for listening and helping me despite all of my ranting and over-thinking!</p>

<p>I’m putting Interlochen back on my list. I took it off ultimately because I have a trip already scheduled from the 23rd to the 26th, and Interlochen starts on the 25th (For some reason I had in my head that my trip ended on the 28th, and in that case I don’t think it would work) and also, the cost is pretty high compared to other places for the same amount of time. My parents are hesitant about pretty much every program, and they want me to provide them with more information than is provided on each website (particularly information about the alumni of each program - where they go to school, accomplishments, etc.) I think I’ll just email Interlochen staff, but would coming a day late be problematic? I definitely have my final list now. </p>

<p>I’m worried about gauging my abilities - I’ve won awards at a couple competitions, and always get really good feedback on my singing, but I’m worried about how I’ll compete with other teens nationally. I can’t figure out just how selective each of my choices is. Is five kind of overkill? Thanks for all the help. I’m really excited for the summer.</p>