BUTI (YAO) vs Greenwood Sr vs Heifetz Jr? I know this is basically orchestra vs chamber vs solo, but anyone have thoughts on these programs? Son, 14, cello. I wish I had applied to Kinhaven too, but it’s probably too late for that. New here, and appreciate all of these insights! Never heard of Ascent or NYO before stumbling on this site.
What are his goals and a college path he is thinking about?
I’m not sure he has any goals or a college path in mind, to be honest. He just loves classical music and he always had a great time at summer music camps. Every time he comes back, he is inspired. He values the friendships that he makes at camp as well. So I guess for the short term at least, his goals are to make beautiful music, have fun, and make friends. In terms of career, I never thought of music as a career for him, but each year, I see him gravitate towards music (activities, friends, hobbies, etc) so I guess it is actually plausible he could pursue music school at some point. He is in 8th grade currently.
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Kinhaven is still taking applications, Kids absolutely love kinhaven and Greenwood (my S 24 has attended both) and there will be many kids his age at both of those programs. I would expect he would be the youngest at BUTI
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First of all, congratulations!!! Amazing achievement for an eight grader! I am sure other strings families will share the detailed feedback and comparing of these three summer programs here. I am a parent of a flute player, and it seems to me BUTI YAO will be a bit more diverse experience musically, because of the scale of the Tanglewood summer and community, and number of alums, and opportunities presented to enjoy music making and enjoying the music others make, IMHO.
Good luck and enjoy these milestones with your kid. Make sure you book accommodations for the end of the season concerts in advance!
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I think he would be youngest at Greenwood Sr camp (~14-18) and on the older side for Heifetz Jr (9-15). Also yes definitely young for BUTI (14-20, average 16-17). Did your kids attend Kinhaven and Greenwood Senior? I have heard they are similar - did you notice any significant differences?
Yes it would be amazing if he got into all 3 BUT he hasn’t actually gotten in to all of them yet! He went to Heifetz Jr last year, so I am guessing they will take him gain this year, although they don’t guarantee it. He got into BUTI last week, so we are excited about that - especially the possibility of seeing the amazing Tanglewood concerts! Have not heard from Greenwood Sr yet. He has attended Greenwood Jr in the past, but I think they are two pretty separate programs, so that one may not even be an option for him. But I was thinking that if he does go to Greenwood, then that is not far from Tanglewood and maybe we can go see some of those concerts anyway (with or without him!).
He went to greenwood junior and then kinhaven senior (with several years of different things in between).
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We are struggling with many of the same options for my younger one (viola, age 14). Of the three you listed, I would probably say Greenwood Sr would give you the best rounded experience since it is some of everything. BUTI is amazing if your son wants to do orchestra. Heifetz junior is meh in my opinion – we’ve not been ourselves, but have gotten the same “it’s not run great” response from numerous people. Very different from the Senior program.
The level at Greenwood for strings is significantly higher than at Kinhaven.
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We had a good experience with Heifetz Jr, but it was definitely one of those situations where you get out what you put in. There was enough room and flexibility in the schedule to attend concerts, sit in on masterclasses, and do a lot… or just wander around town and go see the Barbie movie, which some chose to do.
Has anybody attended Ascent Chamber?
I’m wondering also about Ascent as my younger one recently recently was accepted.
If you find out anything, please let me know. Their age range is so wide. I don’t know what that even looks like. Hoping somebody attended last year.
BUTI decisions are due Friday and we still haven’t heard from Brevard. I asked BUTI for a short extension and they said no. I guess I’ll call Brevard tomorrow and ask if they can tell me.
Was hoping to have a more complete list of options and just thought they’d give us a few more days, no luck.
They sometimes stagger decisions so that they can give money out that becomes available when students awarded money decide to attend elsewhere.
@TXartSearch DD got a yes from Brevard today - hopefully you heard too
Yes. We just heard. Got acceptance as well.
I think we’ll probably do it. Very exciting!
Hmm so i thought we were def BUTI bound but Brevard offered a lovely scholarship last night so a slight pause before we press go ….any thoughts on Brevard for a wind player?
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I don’t know about winds, but I will say that my son had a great experience at Brevard. He had no orchestra experience going in, and is presently principle cellist at school. He improved more technically than expected, and he did expect to get signicantly better. My impression is that the Brevard experience is consistently good and the best place for orchestral training. You might want to watch some of the concert videos and listen for the winds. He also made good friends. He is actually in a chamber duet ensemble at school this semester with a violinist(the concertmaster, actually) who also attended Brevard but not the same year.
My son attended 2022.
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My wind player attended the college age division in 2021. It was a small cohort with no HS participants as Brevard opted to open on a limited basis due to the pandemic.
He had a great summer. Great faculty on his instrument and lots of orchestral playing with an excellent woodwind section. He also really enjoyed his small chamber group and coaching.
Accommodations and food were fine…but due to social distancing, all students had individual rooms. Not sure if that is the norm.
Also, at least for the top orchestra that summer it seemed in general that the faculty played principal parts. So you may want to check how assignments work. This was fine for my son as he was the youngest participant there. However, I would think older college age and grad students would want to rotate in on principal position.
Again, reiterating that his was not a typical summer of programming.
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