What to expect at BUTI (Tanglewood) piano program

crazymusicmom
Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:28:14 +0000

I cannot speak directly to the piano program, but I can tell you what I know from our experience with a workshop and wind program. First, it was a life changing summer for my child. Yes, there are master classes. Yes, the students are expected to practice and there are practice sheds scattered all over the beautiful campus. The dorms are small and very intimate. Everyone that I know of shares a room. My child is in regular contact with several of the students from the time spent at Tanglewood and they have all been sharing the audition season experiences together during their senior year. They have access to the BSO performances and the TMC Fellows performances. The RA’s are top notch. If flying, make sure you fly into Albany and schedule the Tanglewood pickup. They have a shuttle that goes back and forth on arrival day and it makes things VERY easy! When my spouse and I went up to visit and attend the final concert, we flew into Boston and drove over due to cost of tickets being so much cheaper. This is not an option for the child on move in day or move out day if they are solo. Shirley Leiphon is a goldmine of help. There’s chamber music, there’s down time, there’s time spent doing your laundry (quarters, lots of quarters) and the mail service is great for when you send things. There’s not internet and cell reception can be hit or miss, but some of the students did bring their laptops and watch movies that they had with them. All in all, it’s all it says it is and your child will have one incredible summer! My child is going back for year two…he couldn’t wait to get back.