Interlochen 2018

[Anonymous]

First teary-eyed call from my little camper. I didn't realize how many of the juniors would stay for multiple sessions. Junior regular division has two week sessions and my DD is doing sessions 2 & 3. Her cabin has 12 girls and nine of them had been there for session 1 and already knew each other. I think that made it a lot harder for my introverted kid to feel comfortable. So, my first tip is to send them from the first week of camp! I called the counselors this morning to check in per the guidebook they gave us and was told I'd get a call back. Children are allowed 3 calls a week for 10 minutes each call. We've sent her letters and I left some notes in her stuff for her to find.

[Anonymous]

To the cynical poster complaining about another poster's "schmaltzy" post:

I suppose you find it difficult to believe, but at most music camps, even the highly competitive ones, the kids are usually really supportive of each other. Perhaps it comes from the collaborative nature of music-making.

Kids at Interlochen often make life-long friends. Seriously. And also life-long professional contacts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the cynical poster complaining about another poster's "schmaltzy" post:

I suppose you find it difficult to believe, but at most music camps, even the highly competitive ones, the kids are usually really supportive of each other. Perhaps it comes from the collaborative nature of music-making.

Kids at Interlochen often make life-long friends. Seriously. And also life-long professional contacts.

You really do not need to explain this. This was not the problem with the post. It didn't ring true. I believe there are posters on this site who write similar posts and actually do not even have children. It didn't ring true, it sounded made up, the post, not the positive experience. I hope that clarifies this for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the cynical poster complaining about another poster's "schmaltzy" post:

I suppose you find it difficult to believe, but at most music camps, even the highly competitive ones, the kids are usually really supportive of each other. Perhaps it comes from the collaborative nature of music-making.

Kids at Interlochen often make life-long friends. Seriously. And also life-long professional contacts.

You really do not need to explain this. This was not the problem with the post. It didn't ring true. I believe there are posters on this site who write similar posts and actually do not even have children. It didn't ring true, it sounded made up, the post, not the positive experience. I hope that clarifies this for you.

Just to end this conversation and get back to OP's concerns, as of now, I no longer have a DD in Interlochen. I picked her up today. She had an amazing time and she wrote and received so many train letters. She was choking up reading them. She is back online and busy catching up with her friends.

I hope OP's DD is adjusting to the camp.

[Anonymous]

I've looked at this camp for my 8th grade violinist -- but not sure how hard it is to get into.

He plays well -- Suzuki book 7 -- and a member of a local competitive orchestra (in a middle level) -- but some of the Interlochen kids seem destined for Julliard. He clearly isn't.

Can anyone give me an idea about how hard it is for a violinist to be accepted? He plays well, but he's not winning local concerto competitions or anything.

Would love to hear from anyone who has gone for music -- but particularly string players

[Anonymous]

That should be an acceptable level for a violinist at the Intermediate Concert Orchestra level, in the 3-week program.

You are correct there will be kids playing at substantially higher levels at his age, especially in the 6-week Advanced Strings program for middle schoolers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love to hear about how it goes OP. My DD was wait listed this year and will be trying again in 2019.

Was she waitlisted for a competitive spot or the General Arts program?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I picked up DD from Interlochen after a month on Saturday. She adjusted beautifully and had a wonderful time. She enjoyed the Junior Strings more than Junior Piano because strings was so much more social. They rehearsed three hours a day, had a strings workshop for another hour, and do two electives. She had a good connection with the girls in her cabin and her counselors were very kind while she was struggling the first week. I was absolutely blown away by their performance after two weeks of rehearsals. DD said the teaching staff was extremely competent and had a perfect blend of rigor and silliness. She played in the Junior Honors Recital and her cabin mates came and cheered her loudly. She is planning to go back next year for sure. The cafeteria managed her food allergies very well, aside from serving her an unsafe food one time. Luckily, she recognized it and talked to someone else and they changed it out. The staff was responsive and organized. The camp was expensive, but I felt well worth the cost.

I'm happy to answer any questions!

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the feedback! I’m a PP with an Interlochen alum child, so I’m happy to hear your DD had such a great experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I picked up DD from Interlochen after a month on Saturday. She adjusted beautifully and had a wonderful time. She enjoyed the Junior Strings more than Junior Piano because strings was so much more social. They rehearsed three hours a day, had a strings workshop for another hour, and do two electives. She had a good connection with the girls in her cabin and her counselors were very kind while she was struggling the first week. I was absolutely blown away by their performance after two weeks of rehearsals. DD said the teaching staff was extremely competent and had a perfect blend of rigor and silliness. She played in the Junior Honors Recital and her cabin mates came and cheered her loudly. She is planning to go back next year for sure. The cafeteria managed her food allergies very well, aside from serving her an unsafe food one time. Luckily, she recognized it and talked to someone else and they changed it out. The staff was responsive and organized. The camp was expensive, but I felt well worth the cost.

I'm happy to answer any questions!

Reviving this in case the OP sees it (or anyone else wants to chime in).
OP, I’m happy your DD had such a good experience! That’s wonderful! Did she go back last year? My DD will be going this summer, and I wonder if you (or your daughter) have any tips for how to adjust, how to best enjoy the camp, etc.? It’ll be DD’s first time at sleepaway camp, and she’ll also be one of the youngest in her group (intermediate), which is making me a little nervous. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I went to Blue Lake my whole childhood and was a counselor. My nieces go now and it hasn’t changed very much. Great experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I picked up DD from Interlochen after a month on Saturday. She adjusted beautifully and had a wonderful time. She enjoyed the Junior Strings more than Junior Piano because strings was so much more social. They rehearsed three hours a day, had a strings workshop for another hour, and do two electives. She had a good connection with the girls in her cabin and her counselors were very kind while she was struggling the first week. I was absolutely blown away by their performance after two weeks of rehearsals. DD said the teaching staff was extremely competent and had a perfect blend of rigor and silliness. She played in the Junior Honors Recital and her cabin mates came and cheered her loudly. She is planning to go back next year for sure. The cafeteria managed her food allergies very well, aside from serving her an unsafe food one time. Luckily, she recognized it and talked to someone else and they changed it out. The staff was responsive and organized. The camp was expensive, but I felt well worth the cost.

I'm happy to answer any questions!

Reviving this in case the OP sees it (or anyone else wants to chime in).
OP, I’m happy your DD had such a good experience! That’s wonderful! Did she go back last year? My DD will be going this summer, and I wonder if you (or your daughter) have any tips for how to adjust, how to best enjoy the camp, etc.? It’ll be DD’s first time at sleepaway camp, and she’ll also be one of the youngest in her group (intermediate), which is making me a little nervous. Thanks!

Hi, My DS (10, advanced string) may go this summer too. Cheers!