Interlochen

[pianobabe_56]

Okay. Here's my sob story. It has been my dream for about 2 years to attend Interlochen's summer camp, and this year I plan on applying. I'm saving as much money as I possibly can, but I'd also like information to see if this is even a possibility for me.

So, for those of you who have attended the summer camp: What pieces/reperatoire did you study; how much money did you put toward it; etc.

Anything and everything you have to mention would be GREATLY welcomed.

[dinosaurtales]

First of all, my summer at Interlochen was the best summer I ever had!  I attended the High School division between my junior and senior years.

Costs won't do much good, since I went in 1973!  It's an expensive summer, but worth every penny!  you will remember it fondly for the rest of your life.  Everybody who goes does.  There is just something about the place.  It's like a magic place somehow.

Their website is www.interlochen.org  According to the camp section they will have the info you need posted by October.  So bookmark that site and check on it! 

To apply, I sent a tape, of me playing Schubert's impromptu op 90 #2 in e-flat, and also playing the 3rd movement of Mozart's clarinet concerto.  I was lucky to have had a decent accompanist!  Looking back, my rendition of the Schubert had to be just dreadful, and the quality of the tape must have been as well.  I suspect I got extra points for the two-instrument bit.  I met their deadlines, and I think I had to have a couple of letters of recommendation from my music teachers.  They no doubt require more now adays.  Just do what they want by the deadline, and save every dime you can!  Good luck!

OPnce I was there, I registered for piano lessons (I took from George Lucktenberg, SC), band, an art class, festival chorus, and probably other stuff I just forgot.  Festival chorus is fun -= they do a big work - an oratorio or mass - we did Mendelssohn's Elijah, as an example, with orchestra.  But anybody can be in the chorus - so there were several hundred in the chorus plus the orchestra!
What fun!

For band, we had little auditions when we first arrived, to get placed in seats.  Then every week we had "challenges" where we had to try to keep our seats, or move up!  Once I figured out how that worked I moved up 8 seats on one day!

Piano lessons were more typical.  He wanted to know what I was playingk, and I played something for him.  Then he assigned a couple of pieces, in my case a Bach Partita and a Chopin waltz to work on while I was there.  I finished the waltz, and he had me start onthe  Fantasie Impromptu, but I didn't get it done at all before I had to leave. 

How old are you now?  High School age would be a superb time to go!

[pianobabe_56]

I'll be a junior this year, and it has been an absolute DREAM to attend Interlochen. My problem is that I don't think my chances are good, and I need an idea of what my odds are to see how much energy I need to put into this.

I'm planning on auditioning with Ravel's Jeaux d'Eau (sp?) and Bach's Prelude & Fugue in C# (you know, number 3). I'm no prodigy child, though.

But I figured that as long as I have any shot at all, I'd better take it. Thanks for the reply!