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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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."[/quote]

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. [/quote]

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