Who here has gone to Interlochen summer camp?

[pianobabe_56]

I'm considering auditioning, but I need to know two big things:

1.) What was the atmosphere like there--was it very competitive?

2.) What were your audition pieces.

Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks in advance!

[sonatainfsharp]

I never went, but I had more than a handful of friends who went.

Even though they were all my friends, they were the most stuck up people I knew, and I have heard from others that that is the atmosphere of the place, which can't entirely be bad if you don'f let it get to you.

I have also "heard" that the people there are the best of the best of the best with a few misfits thrown in who get taunted if they haven't played Beethoven Op. 109-111 by the time they were 12 (I only assume this is a slight exaggeration).

I knew a teacher who taught at the camp and he wished they accepted more NORMAL kids.

As far as rep., I had a friend who played an entire Mozart Sonata and several Chopin Etudes, and he barely made it in (again, probably an exaggeration on the meaning of "barely.")

Again, this is all hearsey and extrapolation based on what my friends in the past have said. ("The past" meaning over a decade or more again.)

I am very excited to hear what others have to say!

[randmc]

I haven't, but I'm auditioning for summer of '06. Also, I'm auditioning for the high school there because they are still accepting students for the 05-06 school year. <--If I don't get in this year, then I'm going to try next year. The requirements are easy: 2 scales, 2 pieces, and 1 etude/study.

[dinosaurtales]

Well, it could be very different now, and possibly the arts academy is like the above comments, but I went to the High School summer camp in 1973 (yeah I know) and it was the best summer ever!  There were definitely some amazing kids there, 12 year olds (like bernstein nieces and such) playing Rach concertos for the competitions.  I was a "normal" kid - played clarinet and piano.  I sent in a tape of Schubert's Impromptu op 99 E flat and a Mozart clarinet concerto movement.  Neither was a particularly big deal. In fact, the committee either had plenty of room in the camp so I would get in anyway, or they laughed their asses off and decided they HAD to meet me!  I really do not remember any snobbiness, in fact I still have several really good friends from that summer.  I highly recommend it.  Make your own friends.  Ignore the others.

[randmc]

Well, it could be very different now, and possibly the arts academy is like the above comments,

Yeah, the whole campground is new. As a matter of fact, I think they are still rebuilding some parts. Because when I went up there two weeks ago they had caution tape and barriers everywhere.

[limegreen]

I can't believe they make you wear uniforms! That, for me, would immediately wipe it off the list of consideration.  Plus it's pretty expensive.  I don't think it would be my kind of place.  I can't believe the uniform thing! LOL and that's your *summer*!   I don't get a good feel for the place myself but I could see it  being a really good experience for a certain type of person. 

Their website says they have some kind of program with Juilliard and that Interlochen students constitute 15% of each Juiliiard class so, if one has professional aspirations it certainly couldn't hurt, for networking if nothing else. 

I couldn't imagine going to a place like that.  I am so glad I'm not there.

https://www.interlochen.org/camp/uniform.htm

The Uniform
The Camp uniform is one of Interlochen's oldest traditions. Today, as in 1928, female students wear navy blue knickers, shorts or pants, light blue shirts (white on Sundays) and socks. Male students wear navy blue pants, light blue shirts (white on Sundays) and light-blue belts. Navy blue walking shorts are acceptable non-concert attire.