Has anyone heard back from EMF? I’ve been accepted to all my other choices (Interlochen, Sewanee, etc) but am waiting on EMF. Last year, some early applicants were accepted in January. Should I be worried?
A bit of Devil’s Advocate re Interlochen.
Definitely, students can be re-assigned to a lower orchestra and/or lower “chair”.
For some students, this is quite hard to accept - ie, they see it as a failure if they are moved to a lower level orchestra. Others roll with the punches. Interlochen has long had an audition/challenge system that was modified around 20 years ago to the delight of some and the ire of others. Google Interlochen Challenge system if interested in ancient history!
Here is a link to an old 2010 exchange on Interlochen that may give some varied views on the experience: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/940576-interlochen-summer-questions-p1.html
@eclecticViola we decided not to apply to EMF, but their application deadline is only today. I would therefore have assumed you wouldn’t hear from them for a few weeks. It’s interesting that early applicants have gotten results sooner in the past.
@MidwestMom2020, I’ve texted my daughter for some of those questions. It’s been a long time. I do know she loved it. She chose to go back a second year when she had other comparable options, as did another kid in our youth symphony.
The cabins (at least 6 years ago) had up to four kids in each room bunkbed style with plenty of closet space. There was a big multi-stall and multi-shower bathroom in between the rooms. Things are indeed rustic with the cabins being nestled in the woods on dirt trails. The boys and girls aren’t allowed to set foot on each other’s path to the cabins or Bad Things Happen. The kids had to hang their towels on rope out in front of the cabin to get them to dry. You can see that in the photo online. There are other cabins that differ in format, though.
Supervision was good with two RA’s per cabin. The kids could walk up the street from the school to Sonic if they wanted to, or visit the tiny, quaint town. I wasn’t worried about safety and my daughter was 14 or 15.
Food was acceptable. Not gourmet but multiple choices each day.
The practice rooms are mostly individual huts with names on each one. If I remember correctly, you sign up for a 2-hour slot at the beginning that reserves a particular practice hut daily for you. You could grab another open one at a different time if you find one. You’ll want to be on time for that reserved slot sign up or risk getting the inconvenient hours.
The concert hall is gorgeous with open sides. Especially neat during rain! The gelato sold outside the concert was a favorite. There was an ATM machine outside the concert hall.
If you mean how many concerts does your kid play in, I’d guess every other week from this rep list : https://www.brevardmusic.org/institute/repertoire/ . They do have music constantly between all the divisions.
I’ll let you know if my daughter has anything to add. She’s a junior in college now!
@eclecticViola, we haven’t applied to EMF in a while, but this is when we heard back:
2014 March 26
2015 March 12
@tableforsix thank you! I’m anxiously waiting with fingers crossed. Did you attend either of those years and if so how was the environment- I’m looking for something competitive and professional.
I’m sorry, @eclecticViola , but we chose Brevard both those years. Our friends (two high school female violinists) that went enjoyed it. They spoke positively about the experience. The only contact we had with the camp was conversations with the director of admissions, Dr. Melissa Edwards. She was delightful.
PRISMA anyone? D has auditions out for various festivals and is waiting for results. Meanwhile quite by random, I came across the PRISMA festival in British Columbia. I haven’t been able to find any mention of it in CC. I wonder if that’s because it’s a newer or simply a lesser festival or whether it’s not registering with CC users because it’s Canadian. Does anyone have information (or better yet, experience) with it? If D is not accepted at her festivals of choice, she’ll focus on practicing and making money for the summer, but it might be a nice break to spend a week or two playing orchestral music in a breathtaking natural setting.
Hi-I am looking for a little input regarding BUTI YAO this summer. My DD has previously attended Kinhaven. She has enjoyed it but has found the isolation (which many love!) to not feel right for her. She found the cabin living to be a bit exhausting. She is considering BUTI this summer. She likes the idea of dorm living and not feeling confined to camp for 6 weeks. But she is also slightly hesitant about the independence in terms of connecting with people and not feeling “alone.” Can anyone comment on this and what their child’s experience has been?
My daughter loved it in 2016. She made friends easily among the other orchestra musicians (they ride a bus from the BUTI campus to the Tanglewood campus and so she made “bus friends”) and her roommate who was a pianist. They were able to go to the little town of Lenox (a short walk) often which was great for social activity. They were also able to attend incredible BSO concerts and sit with her friends on the lawn.
She is still friend with girls she met that summer!
The dorms are old (somewhat charming) and not air conditioned (not charming) but she absolutely loved the experience. You can PM me if you have more questions.
Wishing your kiddo the best this summer!
Thank you @Violinmomaz ! That’s very helpful and encouraging! Trying to figure out how to message you!
@Pixieberto, my understanding is that you can’t PM until you have contributed 15 replies in CC. (Somebody else can correct me if I’m wrong about that.) However, I have found that if somebody PMs you first, you can PM back to them even if you have not reached the reply threshold yet.
@Pixieberto , mine were there in 2017. Great experience. I agree with @Violinmomaz on her assessment. Zero problems making friends, plenty of activity and company - definitely no isolation there. The kids walk over to Lenox frequently and the Scoops ice cream shop is a favorite. I found the environment supportive between the musicians.
Thank you @tableforsix —great to hear! Also, has anyone had any experience with Madeline Island program?
@Pixieberto, D had a friend go to Madeline, years ago, and I know she was happy with it, but don’t know details. Us…we’re waiting on acceptance news! Have you heard, already?
No we haven’t! They said mid march but my dd may have to commit to BUTI before then. Where else are you considering?
@Pixieberto - ah, yes. I remember (2018) BUTI announcing before the others and having a short window. D actually turned down a full ride at Interlochen for a 2-week BUTI workshop, and it turned out, in her situation, to be life changing (she met the teacher she’s currently with, amongst other contacts). The counselors at BUTI went above and beyond to get her out of her shell, too (though you may have to email them, if you think that’s an issue).
She’s spent the last two summers at Castleman Quartet Program, which I cannot say enough positive things about. That’s on the horizon, 2020, as are Bowdoin, Madeline, Kent Blossom, and Colorado College. Wait, wait, wait…
@Pixieberto --my oldest son is going back to BUTI this summer for his second time. He’s a vocalist, but I think his experience is pretty typical of all attendees (instrumentalists and composers). My son called the experience life-changing, and it challenged him in so many ways. He’s shy (we tend to use the word “reserved”), so even though he shared a room with a composer from his high school, he had to push himself a bit with the vocalists, which was really good for him. There was a day of panicky texts to me, about how uncomfortable he was, then silence… the kids he made friends with there are kids he still keeps in touch with. In fact, a lot of them come into NYC (we’re NYers) and they all spend weekends together. At every single college audition he’s been to, there have been a gaggle of kids from Tanglewood that are clumped in a group, catching up, before they need to go in for an exam or an audition. It is really charming. Things to keep in mind: Bring a fan for the room. Plan on giving your kid money (the kids walk into Lenox a lot to eat). Been told the food is terrible, so pack snacks in a plastic bin. BUTI has a nice, informal payment plan, which made the program doable for us.
@cellistamadre great info. Thx. How old is your D? My D also waiting on castleman. Did your D attend same summer she went to Tanglewood? Can you tell me a bit more about that program? How busy are they? Other then practice what do in down time? Thx!
@Pixieberto Castleman is an outstanding program. There is no orchestral component, but a LOT of time spent on chamber. It seemed as though D was always busy, because when they aren’t in a coaching or lesson, they are rehearsing with their group or practicing. They do have group activities, but I will say that a lot of the participants are in their twenties. Charles Castleman is a wonderful human, and I just can’t say enough positive things. For the right student (chamber focused, self motivated, maybe a little adventurous) it’s a great place.
One other thing of note-Sonata Week is much different. Without the chamber component, the pace really slows down.