That sounds lovely. Mine had a wonderful experience at Castleman, and he found friends with whom he sightread quartets each night, but the atmosphere was chill(even though he told me he was spending more time playing/practicing than sleeping and he was getting plenty of sleep). They didn’t have time to not practice; they were preparing to perform from scratch on a deadline, but it was a different vibe than a regimented schedule with practice monitors!
May I just say that now that my son is a freshman in college, I hate that the summer applications feel like dealing with college applications all over again!
I also wonder, given how much people go everywhere(both students and faculty) if it’s held against admitted students who choose not to attend if they apply again later. I would think not, but do wonder.
3 Likes
yes! second time watching my (sophomore) kid deal with this, and it looks so complicated and stressful from the outside. Added layer this year is that he’s applying for some programs with his reed quintet, and I just have no idea how they’re going to coordinate all 5 of them deciding on the same program and having the money for it and all that.
Anyway, my clarinet kid is applying to several programs, and I’m mostly completely uninvolved. I have no idea what my kid’s doing this summer!
1 Like
I knew several high school string players (my son and my students) who applied to the same several summer programs, were accepted with scholarships, chose to attend another program, reapplied the next year, accepted with scholarship again, chose another program again. I think Interlochen and Bowdoin were two of them that didn’t hold against accepted students who chose not to attend.
Walden School in Dublin NH has announced 10 full scholarships for their 5 week program, thanks to and in memory of alumnus and actor Lance Reddick (“The Wire”). Residents of Baltimore are preference for half of them. Walden is a program that includes classes, and a performance of student compositions by world-renowned musicians and composer in residence. Students do not have to have experience: creative individuals, including instrumentalists and other musicians, are most welcome. There are some performance opportunities. The program also has fun aspects like hikes, dances and celebrations.
Application is due March 1, including financial aid application.
I saw that too! Very exciting news. It would have made a big difference to us considering this in the past. The staff/faculty at this program are always phenomenal.
2 Likes
That’s good to know, thanks. There’s also the potential issue similar to that of @kokotg where if the stars align correctly one of last summer’s quartets could reunite for a program…
I also hate that with start times for festivals starting all over the place, it makes summer planning difficult.
1 Like
And end times mean you’re typically only able to do one, unless it’s a 2-week program.
Heck, there’s a few starting before my DD is finished with high school for the year. Can’t exactly pull her out and miss the final 2 weeks of classes and finals.
Actually, if he has options he may be looking at doing two, as there are a number of three-week option that start early. Last year I was shocked at how early CQP started as I know many highschoolers who were still in school at that point.
Of course, she could perhaps take finals early? Not much learning usually goes on at the end of the school year ;).
Hi!
Does anyone have any recs for summer Jazz programs?? Looking for my son who plays sax
How old is he and what has he done before?
He’s currently a freshman in high school. Played in jazz band for 2 years in middle school
In jazz band in HS now- auditioned and accepted for alto sax- then the director asked him to learn tenor as well and is now playing tenor for the upcoming season
There are different levels of music camps. For jazz the ones that come to mind are New England music camp and their jazz intensive and msm summer (if he can get to nyc). Those have great jazz programs and are a good intro for a younger high schooler.
1 Like
IU Jacobs is hosting a summer jazz camp. My son, who was a jazz guitarist there, studied with several of the faculty members listed. Summer Jazz Workshop: Program Descriptions: Jacobs Academy: Indiana University Bloomington
1 Like
The IU program is so early in the summer! S’s school isn’t out until 20 something of June.
S did MSM Jazz Program the summer between 9th and 10th and it was great and for all levels. But it’s not a sleepaway camp so there’s that (we are local).
Last summer he did Interlochen for three weeks. He enjoyed it but says not for super advanced players - it’s relatively new (compared to the classical music camp) and felt it was slightly underbaked.
Applied for NYO but super duper competitive so not holding our breath. Backup is Skidmore Jazz Academy.
3 Likes
Anyone’s young person decided what they are doing this summer? DD24 is going back to BUTI - chance to see John Williams twice too much too miss out on 
2 Likes
S24 decided not to apply anywhere else and is going back to kinhaven
My daughter is coming with me Interharmony International Music Festival - I teach horn at the festival. We are traveling for a week before. Only 2 week festival. DD24 violin went to Eastern Music Festival last 2 summers but does not want to do a 5 week festival and then leave for college.
I was surprised that S24 wanted to go away for 6 weeks and then come home for just a few before school but I guess he likes his camp friends better than us and is highly unmotivated by the idea of a job, HA!!!
1 Like
Has anyone ever done the Interlochen Advanced String Quartet program? Feedback on it? My daughter was just accepted with a full scholarship and we know nothing about it. She thought she was just applying to the intensive!