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Piano Camps: My understanding is that they are 'summer camps' where one goes and studies piano peices, and presumably, the piano (instruent), music theory, musical history, etc.


Anyone have any experience with them?

Yes, and they're all a little bit different. There's a list in the current American Music Teacher magazine with some info on a wide variety of summer offerings for 2009.

Any lists online?

Any you would reccommend?

UNC Greensboro supposedly hosts the largest summer music camp in the country.

http://www.smcamp.org/

IIYM has the one of the best music camps in the country. All amazing kids.

The only one I have personal experience with is Interlochen. I taught in Michigan's summer program there for a few years and liked it very much.

It's changed quite a bit since then, but I still hear good things.

I wish there was one for adults. Wouldn't that be fun? Master classes, lessons, practice time, campfires, no cooking, no responsibilities. Ahhhhh.

There are. Summer Keys is one, and if oyu look around, you'll find others.

gooddog : There was a three-week summer piano camp that ran for 26 consecutive years and that (eventually) included an adult core programme - the Victoria Piano Summer School. I attended it for the last 7 years, but it is almost certain that it will not continue. Master classes, private lessons, three hours a day scheduled practice time, theory classes, classes on technique, many performance opportunites, etc., etc., but no campfires!

The Victoria Conservatory of Music is planning on establishing something similar to replace the VPSS - perhaps for 10 days in August of this year - but it will be an abbreviated and pared-down version of what VPSS offered; the details are yet to be announced.

Regards,

http://www.sonatina.com/

Kreisler Vermont might be a little too far away, but Victoria might be feasible. BruceD if you hear anything could you please let me know. I'd love to do this, if my family is agreeable.

I will certainly let you know what I hear when I hear it. We had an adult student from the Seattle/Tacoma area last year join us for part of the VPSS.

Regards,

Gooddog: Check out Piano Texas:

http://www.pianotexas.org/

They have programs for young artists, teachers, and amateurs. It runs from May 17 - 28 this year. The deadline for applications is Feb 16, so you'd have to hurry.

It's held at the TCU campus in Ft Worth every summer and run by Tomas Ungar. This year's program is coordinated with the Cliburn Piano Competition which is also being held this year. You can participate in Piano Texas and attend the Cliburn during the same time.

I attended Piano Texas in 2005 and had a blast. You have master classes every day with wonderful faculty and guest artists, take private lessons, and practice. Every night there's a recital where participants can perform (if they choose). This program was heaven for me (an older amateur with terrific performance anxiety). The atmosphere is supportive and stimulating.

Anyway, if this interests you, check out their site for more info.

Gooddog,

There is also the following here in Colorado:

http://www.rockyridge.org/programs/piano.htm

Rich

Hi Bruce,

There are 3 of us here in Seattle interested in attending the school this summer. So sorry to hear that VPSS is not going to continue. It was such a fine experience. So, we await word on the Conservatory's summer program! Thanks!

Carol

Hi Carol :

There are many of us here saddened by the news that VPSS is most likely not going to continue, after 26 years of growth and progress. If it could be pulled off, it would be without almost all of the faculty who had made it the success it was.

Quite frankly, I don't know where faculty would come from for a new version of VPSS, since so many of the local faculty who taught at VPSS are faculty members of the Victoria Conservatory; they would be most likely to staff any summer program the Conservatory offers. Most former VPSS faculty will not return to VPSS, even if it does manage - I repeat : most unlikely - to reincarnate.

I am keeping my ears open, and I will certainly post here when something begins to materialize.

Regards,

seems like summer workshops are really falling by the wayside this year. I've been attending a longstanding one in Europe (Symphonic Workshops) for the last 3 years - but it's looking like it won't happen this year as well. I'm know looking into programs in France and the UK to fill the void.

Bruce,
This sounds quite drastic. What happened? Did financial issues or other problems lead to this if I might ask?

Sophia

Well it is extremely unfortunate--since the quality of the instruction was superb and for Americans, getting to see the Canadian method of going through the grades was very interesting--Actually, a fourth lady just emailed me saying she is interested, so that would potentially make 4 of us from Seattle. I am keeping my fingers crossed, because until now, this was something I was looking forward to doing every year . . .

Best wishes,

Carol

Yes, Carol, the quality of instruction was superb; that's why I kept returning, refreshed and eager, seven years in a row, and that's also what saddens many of us to know that VPSS will not continue.

Regards,