Does anyone know a music festival where students are sure to perform? I was wondering if Encore summer academy was offering that opportunity for everyone? Does anybody have a feedback on Encore or Center Stage Strings or have any other good idea for a very serious and motivated young violinist?
I’ve had kids go to both programs.
At Encore they will play in a masterclass, but that is it other than playing together as a string orchestra at the end. My son went to this program when he was a bit older, maybe 18, and he thought the lessons and masterclasses were great. He also liked the theory classes. What he did not like is they carted them all over the place on weekends to watch the faculty perform, and he did not get enough practice time. There was no formal chamber music. He also did not like that there were practice curfews – he likes to practice late.
At Center Stage they all always perform with their chamber group. Most kids will also do some kind of solo performance. This could be a studio class or a formal recital or a masterclass, and some do service performances as well. Both my kids went there for various years between ages 13 and 19. They both performed solo on formal recitals, studio classes, and service performances every year they were there, but I’ve seen that some of the lower level students don’t have this level of opportunity.
Personally, for overall growth I would recommend Center Stage, but Encore does expose them to a lot of teachers.
Thank you for your detailed answer! This is helpful!
Would you recommend other festivals that your kids liked or like?
How old is your kiddo and are they looking for practice, chamber music, orchestra, or a combo?
The other program my younger kid loved was Music@Menlo but it is very chamber intensive.
My kid is 15 and wants a very intensive one with practice, chamber music and especially solo performance.
This thread about summer programs is in the music majors forum. Perhaps you will find some info to help you there.
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I would suggest the following: Perlman, Morningside Music Bridge, Center Stage Strings, Meadowmount, Encore (no chamber), Bowdoin, Greenwood, or Kinhaven (mostly chamber). Maybe Green Mountain also. There’s also Heifetz, but at that age, you are kind of between programs and there are issues. I’m not as familiar with the less competitive programs, but there are a lot of those out there as well.
Also for violin-specific, look at Sounding Point Academy and Vivace. These don’t have chamber music, but amazing teachers. There are also lower level violin intensives at BUTI and Interlochen. Juilliard has new instrument-specific intensives this year as well.
Chamber only would be Menlo, Madeline Island, and there is a new program at NEC this year.
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Although OPs child would have a wonderful time at Greenwood and Kinhaven there is no solo performance opportunities
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maybe Philadelphia Summer music camp?
I need programs for woodwinds, not only for strings.
For winds and brass you are looking more at orchestra programs, though some have a chamber component. I’m sure there are some specialty ones I don’t know, but these are the general precollege ones: Interlochen, Greenwood, Kinhaven, BUTI, NYO (deadline has passed), Brevard, Aspen (limitations for those under 18), Sewanee, NSO, and then there is a new HS program at Music Academy of the West, and some new intensives at Juilliard.
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For winds Kinhaven, greenwood, and tanglewood are the most intense. My S24 was accepted to Aria which is basically all solo work but didn’t go because it seemed a bit solitary. He attended PIMF but it was lower level and the chamber music intensive at NEMC. He loved Kinhaven and the level of the winds was very high. Interlochen is also a great option for winds. I don’t know much about bevard and other orchestra programs that take college students but I had heard the HS students don’t get as much attention. Don’t know much about their intensives.
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My wind player attended Interlochen, BUTI and Brevard. All good experiences. Feel free to message me if you have specific questions.
You might also look at Idyllwild.
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