I was wondering what experience anyone might have had somewhat recent experience with the following festivals:
Norfolk, Madeline Island, Aria, Heifetz. I realize that other than Heifetz these are all smaller festivals. My son is applying to chamber programs, and these are the ones he mostly wasn’t familiar with before. He’s in his first year of college now. The super-regimented Meadowmount/Green Mountain vibe isn’t his cup of team and he isn’t interested in Aspen.
Thanks so much!
My son was at Norfolk as a composer and loved it. He loved the whole enviroment. I know it is hard to get in. Especially for composers.
I think its hard to get in, period. What was the environment? Collaborative?
Hi,
I asked my son : He shared that Norfolk was an incredibly positive experience for him. Specifically, he attended the Composer New Music Workshop, emphasizing that it differs from the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Although he hasn’t personally visited Meadowmount/Green Mountain, he mentioned hearing from friends that these festivals resemble boot camps, requiring participants to grind all day. Reflecting on Norfolk, he highlighted the substantial workload, much of which was dedicated to collaborating with ensembles. Despite the intense focus on work, he appreciated the opportunity to explore the area, loved living quarter, and food. The inspiring faculty and the lasting friendships formed during his time at Norfolk still continues. He made friends and he talks to them to this day.
Regarding Heifetz, he admitted to not having personal experience, but he mentioned that several friends who attended spoke highly of the chamber-oriented nature of the festival. He also suggested Bowdoin as a potential great option, noting that it primarily focuses on chamber music and that he thoroughly enjoyed his time there.
We hope this helps.
Happy Holidays 
Oh! Also wondering about the International Cello Institute. They have some wondeful faculty and say they do cello chamber music.
So as we wait for decisions and auditions and more decisions … anyone’s DC settled on music plans for next summer? DD has been given an auto admit to two much loved programmes and it is very tempting to go with those and skip more audition videos….
S24 is going back to Kinhaven. Could probably get into others but has no interest. Much more excited to enjoy his last summer as a kid!
I think mine is leaning that way as well. It was an incredible experience last year.
Yes I think that is D24’s view too - a fun summer!
Did anybody end up going to Ascent? How was it? My younger one is interested in a teacher there.
Mine did Ascent Cello Festival and Heifetz last year - loved both. Great faculty, great environments. Got a lot out of them, including opportunities to meet other musicians and faculty. Applying to Heifetz, Green Mountain, Meadowmount this year.
Happy to answer any questions.
What was the Heifetz atmosphere like? On the spectrum from loosely scheduled to regimented and competitive versus collaborative?
My daughter went to Eastern Music Festival the last 2 summers - violin - great orchestra program. I teach at the International Interharmony Music Festival in Italy - horn - great for all instruments. Chamber(focus), solo and orchestra focus - also great cultural program
Oh interesting - D24 was looking at Interharmony as was pinged it on Accept’d, and could work if she did her intensive at BUTI and then programme II in Italy (we are in Europe); its never easy to know what playing standard is?
They match your level for the chamber portion (main focus) - I had a student from Juilliard (College), Ball State and Pacific Lutheran - all great players in a Reineke Trio - I was the coach. Generally one chamber group and you meet every other day with the coach and on the other days they meet on their own. You have the opportunity to play a solo in concert - they provide the pianist - you pick the piece. Orchestra meets every other day. Lessons every other day. Every 3 days you go on a trip for the day -, Milan, Turin and the Italian Riviera. It is all very charming. I loved the people, faculty and students. You stay at a hotel.
My D24 is coming with me this year session 1 - she is a violinist
Sounds great - D24 having a serious look
Interharmony sounds intriguing, especially for my chamber-focused son. I’m worried about anything in Europe with the summer Olympics, though.
He’s even learning Italian, so Italy would be a good fit.
you fly into Milan - you are not near Paris at all. My daughter violin is coming with me - we are going a week earlier to explore. I went the last two summers - and it is incredible!! I would 100 percent recommend!
For mine, very collaborative and supportive. She was surrounded by some great musicians who spent their free time playing together, sight reading quartets, etc. The rehearsals, classes, and performances are scheduled. She is good about her practice time, but it’s not monitored or enforced; others were able to choose not to practice, or to go to the movie theater, walk into town, etc. Mine was happier taking in as many performances and master classes as she could sit in on. Her schedule was (voluntarily) very full.
She’d happily go back.