Questions about Interlochen and other music sleepaway camps
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Anonymous
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I am considering Interlochen for my middle schooler for orchestra (brass). We are going to listen to the info session in a few weeks but I'd love the DCUM perspective.
1) Do the orchestra kids tend to stick together at camp or is everyone mixed together? my kid is very serious about his instrument, but is not really an "artsy" kid so I am wondering if he will fit in the overall crowd. he is definitely not a "theater camp" kind of kid (unlike me when I was in school!) 2) I had been hoping the camp would have a no phones policy, do all the middle schoolers bring phones? My kid when to PIMF last year and they needed phones to get communications from the camp during the day if there were scheduling changes. 3) I get that there is going to be some competition among the students, but does the camp try to foster a supportive environment? 4) Does anyone have experience with Luzerne Music Center? I would prefer that because it is driving distance (getting a French Horn to Michigan and back will be a PITA), is just focused on orchestra and has a no cell phones policy. But my kid's teacher is recommending Interlochen because it is the "best." |
Anonymous
Hi! I'm the poster who replied to you on the last thread. To recap, my daughter has gone to Interlochen for three years - all intermediate in the orchestra program. I work there during the summer, which makes it free for her, but I have a full time job elsewhere, so I'm not replying as an employee, just a parent! I think you said your kid was in middle school, so Ill focus on those years. 1) The kids are mixed in the bunks, so they tend to socialize with kids doing all sorts of disciplines. My daughter's best friends were from music production, creative writing, and fashion. However, yes, the overall "vibe" is artsy kid, as all the kids are very into some sort of art. It's a definite different feel from her private school crowd which has a larger proportion of sporty and/or "preppy" kids. But, it's a much better fit for her overall. I've gotten pretty good at guessing the disciplines of the kids, so if by "theatre kid" you mean that extrovert, performance energy, some have it, some really don't. And even amongst the theatre kids, some are musical theater, some are actors, some are there for six weeks, some just want to do three and do other things the rest of the summer, it's a big camp with a lot of very different kids. 2) The cell phone policies have varied widely from year to year. This past year, middle schoolers could have their phone from breakfast through dinner on weekdays (with a one hour turn in time during rest period) and for a few hours on weekends. I initially wasn't thrilled with how much phone time that was, but, the vast majority of phone time is when they are in structured class. They haves of free time each day which is also phone free. One of the really cool things about Interlochen as a serious arts camp is the "camp" component. With phone free rest hour, my kid played crazy games in the woods, card games in the bunks, had hours of ping pong tournaments, did chores - all the "camp" things I remember - without the distraction of a phone. 3) This is very kid dependent. I'm not as "eyes on" on this, but I've discussed it with my daughter. There is a seating audition when they arrive, but it's the only audition for middle school. In high school. there are several auditions where they reseat. There is some "trash talk" which she is pretty sensitive to, but it doesn't seem to affect her enjoyment, and, honestly, it's almost been good as she has really noticed that sometimes the biggest talkers aren't the ones bringing the skills. Finally, and this is her perspective, some instruments are just more competitive than others. To totally feed a stereotype, the violin kids, especially at upper levels are quite competitive, the viola players are chill. That's a fourteen-year-old take on it. I have no sense that there's a toxic level of competition and, my kid can run towards quite anxious, but after the first placement audition is done, she always settles in and has fun. 4) nope! Just a heads up that things do shift at Interlochen for high schoolers. They have a lot more freedom, of movement, of phone time, of managing their schedule - across the board. In music, the level of play and compeition to get in jumps a huge amount. |
Anonymous
| Oh, and I realized I didn't answer one question. No, they don't "need" phones. But, yes, the majority will have phones. The wifi is very spotty, but my daughter managed just fine with no phone service. |
Anonymous
| Sorry! One more detail since you have a kid in brass, and you mentioned orchestra. When you send in your initial audition, your kid will be assigned to either the wind ensemble or the symphony orchestra. This is a peculiarity of the non-string instruments. There is still a seating audition on arrival, but they should know beforehand if they will be playing band or symphony rep. |
Anonymous
Thanks this is all super helpful!!!! my kid will definitely want to be in the symphony. I assume that one is harder to get into. |
Anonymous
Yes, it’s the more advanced placement and takes fewer brass/winds/percussion. |
Anonymous
| NP - to the poster who teaches there - how competitive is the audition process? My current 6th grader was accepted to the PVYO concert band based on her audition, but she didn't make it into MCYO young artists orchetra. Not sure how that portends for interlochen and don't want to get her hopes up. |
Anonymous
| I don’t think interlochen is necessarily the best. For strings the best is meadowmount. My sibling was a better musician than I was an our teacher had her go to meadowmount but had me go to interlochen but she said it was less intense and would be a better fit for me |
Anonymous
I’m the poster who works there. Just to be clear, I don’t teach, I’m on the health staff. I’m sorry, I really can’t compare those ensembles. Percussion is a small world, and, by this point, I know the top kids in our state, and I can judge the level of play of the kids at camp. But strings is much bigger. That being said, I’d give it a try. We are pretty good friends with a string instructor there, and she’s pretty clear that the level of play varies /widely/ between the top kids in the top symphony and the lower chairs in the lower symphony. I just can’t tell you what the floor is, but not everyone there is a prodigy or preprofessional by any stretch. For string kids, FYI, you don’t get any sort of pre camp placement. So, on arrival, you are placed not only in your chair, but also in either the full symphony or string symphony. They also change chairs midway through, but that can vary year to year. Some years they rotate violin 1 and violin 2, for example, and some years the conductor or teachers reseat individually. |
Anonymous
| PP once more. I’ll also agree that Interlochen isn’t necessarily the “best” but, for middle schoolers, it’s a pretty unique opportunity. In high school, the opportunities expand, and even my kid, who loves Interlochen, will be auditioning for tanglewood, Brevard, etc, so she can see if she gets options. Where interlochen also shines, however, is the balance of traditional camp experience with music. |
Anonymous
| OP here. Thanks for the replies. I really like the idea of combining music with traditional camp activities. My DC also sails so a camp that also has that sport is a big plus for us. DC is not old enough for Brevard yet and may want to do that someday (he loved PIMF) but his teacher and I both worry about him getting burned out so I don't want anything too intense. |
Anonymous
Yes. This is why my teacher pointed me towards interlochen. I don’t think I would have gotten into meadowmount, but even if so, I think she thought it would be good for me to be in a more fun environment |
Anonymous
New poster here— just to be clear, there are no traditional camp activities outside the bunk experience and maybe one weekend trip to the beach or Sleeping Bear Dunes. My kids were both in the Intermediate program this summer (music and art programs). |
Anonymous
| Meadowmount is widely known as Practice Jail, for very good reasons. Unless the student is seriously committed to their instrument, it’s a bad idea. |
Anonymous
I’m the poster who has been posting a ton, but I’m going with to disagree with this. Some people may want an experience that’s more of a traditional camp, but Interlochen offers more than one weekend trip. My kid had cabin nights with s’mores, ping pong tournaments, arts and crafts, some crazy organized “hunger games” activities in the woods, swimming. I’m pretty sure there isn’t sailing, but they have most of the low equipment options. |