• Blogs
• Post Blog
• Discussion
• Violin Tips
• Violinists
• Instruments
• For Sale
• Festivals
• Register
• Log In

News by E-mail

Printer-friendly version

Meadowmount

Schools: Can anyone tell me a little about what to expect this summer? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

From Jenny Diaz
Posted May 22, 2004 at 08:04 PM

See you there!

I'm studying with Patricia Mccarty

I'm sooo happy for you Jenny!

I'm going this summer to Meadowmount and it'll be my 3rd year there. Most of the people definitely love or hate it, that I agree with. I absolutely love it there, and I've been counting down days since after Christmas.
Anyway, I don't think practice at Meadowmount is as bad as some people make it out to be. I mean, yes, they do "make" you practice, but they worst that happens if you don't is you get caught and get an X. Most people develop ways to avoid the counselor's checks during practice hours anyway soon enough (ah*hem). But you know, if you practice, it doesn't help anyone but YOU.

Every teacher has a master class every week, and there are guest master classes plus most teachers have a "class concert" at the end that a lot of people perform in.

About chamber music, you meet with your coach at orientation and pick out a piece. Coaches usually do pick for you, but if you ask to play something they will usually take it into consideration. The way rehearsing works is that your group schedules rehearsals, as much or as little as you want (unless of course your coach says something about it). The first year I was there, I barely rehearsed at all, and the second year, i rehearsed every day for about 2 hours.
Most groups are quartets, only a couple (usually older) are anything else, but that's not saying that you can't make a group of your own if you want to do a trio or something.

It all depends on Mr. Carman for whether you get stuck in a viola group. Usually that happens if you are 1st violinist in a group, then you will have to play viola in another group. But the viola teacher (McCarty) does give help to violinists-going-viola.

See you at MM! (and bring fingernail clippers DEFINITELY, you have no idea how fast they grow there...)

Really nice person, really nice coach.

I think the most important thing for anyone going to MMT is to first make it a point to find a group of people with whom they can socialize. It's SO important to have a fun group of people around you who are just as dedicated as you. If you don't find this and end up being a practice hermit (believe me...you might just catch a glimpse of a couple at dinner) you won't have a great time. If you find fun people, you will have much less stress and you will feel like you want to practice and when you are done you will have practiced better and will want to stop (which is a good thing too...so unhealthy just sitting in those hot stuffy rooms for more than 5-7 hours a day).

The other thing is to work your ever-living tail off while you are there. I think that Sophia made perhaps a slightly biased opinion about the performers...(ie: you only hear the "special" students play). There was that problem in the past, but I don't think it will be so bad this year. Even for the last two years...for example, I have played solos, quartets, been assigned a trio to perform early on in the summer, but I don't consider myself a top player or one of the "special" students. I was lucky enough to share the stage with our very own and incredibly talented *drumroll* Felicia Tan (what did you play that concert Felicia? it was stunning anyway) as well as a couple others....it's all a big mix (some concerts are better than others)

Anyway, have a GREAT summer all of you. I will miss being there this year and miss all of you in the Thomas/Setzer studio (one of the most talented studios you will ever come across). But, alas, I must head off to France this summer (Bonjour Maestro Poulet) and Austria, and Switzerland, and Italy, and Germany...LOL....I'm trying to make myself feel better about not going to MMT.

Preston

P.

preston I played paganiniana and carmen... goodness knows I've had enough of that by now but i'm still not tired of it... have fun in europe and we'll miss you at mm!

I noticed that you mentioned you study with Ian Swensen? I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about him. I study with a teacher at NEC during the school year when I'm in the Boston area, but my teacher specifically mentioned that he'd like me to take some lessons with Ian Swensen while I'm in CA this summer.

I'm going to Meadowmount as well this summer... it'll be my second. ^_^

Anyways, the food quality varies from day to day. Some days we'd have tacos and pita bread (not bad), while others we'd have stuff like "Vegetable Lo Mein" if you could call it that...

Breakfast consists of HotPockets and cereal... eat cereal... anyways, why am I telling you this? You'll know what to eat by instinct. Don't eat whatever looks toxic. ;)

If you're 18 or older (like me) you can drive elsewhere for food. There are also frequent trips to E-Town (aka Elizabethtown) for snacks and other stuff, like ice cream.

Hope I answered a few of your questions. See you there!

-Andrew

Anyway, I'm going back for my third year, and I am finally over 18 now, as with Andrew. Hopefully, Andrew, we'll be in the same dorm... supposedly I'm in Paganini while you and Kenji are in Long Cabin... but you might get moved to Paganini, which would be better I think. Well, I plan on enjoying myself this summer... the real challenge will be making myself practice 4-5 hours of my own volition. =)

Jenny

about dorms, usually you don't find out what dorm you're in until you get there and check in.

showers showers showers... well they didn't have to go on water reserve and no-toilet-flushing this past year,... but you're talking to the person who regularly woke up at 6 and took... well, not-really-5-minute showers.(*shhh*) just in case, though, water CAN run out.

There's a system where you write where you are on your door... and if you follow it then you won't really have any trouble. This will be my 3rd year there (i think i mentioned that somewhere above), and i haven't gotten an X yet, you'll figure out what that is when you get there. Cards is what we play.. (sad i know) and Plattsburgh (Lake Placid if you can get there) is the getaway.

Guess that's all... cy'all when we get there!
ps i think i'm in cottage extension... that's what i requested, and the A.D. told me i woudl be in there, so here's hoping!

Felicia

i love the atmosphere there. its nice although there's a pretty charged undertone... i think i am one of the people that coudl be considered "snooty" by those that don't know me. But they've never tried to get ot know me. i really am just not a very outgoing social person. more intrapersonal. ANYWAYS. they tell you what dorm you're in when you check in at the office upon arrival. you'll get your room key then too, and when you get there, check the board at main house for your chamber group, you'll meet with your coach at orientation to decide upon a piece. if you want to talk to me on aim- dizzyzonk. hah yeah i know don't ask...

The atmosphere in general is quite friendly. I know that I've never been put down or anything despite the fact that I was and likely still will be among the worst violinists there! The most "snooty" it gets tends to be after concerts, where a lot of critiquing goes on for many people... since the performance standard is pretty high. So the secret to having everyone like you is either to play perfectly or to never be good enough to perform... ha! Kidding, mostly at least. ;-) Even with all the required practice, it was a pretty easy-going atmosphere for me the last two years.

As for free time, I spent it doing a number of things. Playing video games (if you happen to have someone in your dorm that brought a TV!... I think Paganini dorm is going to have some intense video-gaming this year, right Andrew?), ping-pong, badminton (my personal favorite), and other assorted sports, and if I'm really bored, wandering aimlessly between my dorm and the main house to find someone to talk to, hehe.

I never really felt as though I was constantly being watched, but you are required as an under-18er to keep a record on your door of everywhere you're going (lessons, coachings, other dorms, you can basically write anything as long as it's a definite location). I unfortunately received an X on the first week of my first year since I took too long picking up my laundry after a lesson... and had nothing written in after it. Oops.

And Felicia is right on about the showers. The 5-minute rule is mainly to prevent running out of water, which has happened, although not when I've been there. Also, during heavy shower traffic in the morning, the hot water runs out rather quickly, and even sooner if people take long showers. Getting up early (6 has always worked for me as well) pretty much secures you the best shower for as long as you'd like, within reason, while still allowing the hot water to refill before most people wake up.

And about the food...
I actually like the Meadowmount food (and the food servers ;-) ), but then again, i'm also a vegetarian...
I think the best part of Meadowmount, aside from all the practicing, jk the remarkable results of the practicing, is the friendships you develop. I have made so many great friends there, friends i will never forget, and even if your summer there is not the best, i don't think that you will ever regret going.

It would be good to bring plenty of dressy clothes, since there are 3 concerts a week and everyone is required to dress nicely.

I forgot to mention earlier when I was talking about the food: yes, beware of the "salsa of death"...

Kim

(Sorry... my love of playing fiddle tunes can't help but surface! :)
Have FUN at camp!
K

I hope to meet many of you (and others) there!

Bugs can make good companions during long mornings of practice.(Gypsy moths like Zigeunerweisen?)

Bugs bring you closer to nature --and you ARE in the Adirondack Wilderness! (Beautiful!)

... and of course...crickets are like family to violinists (at least in the cartoons).

All in all... the truck stop cheeseburgers are probably scarier... (But, oh so good!):-)

The bugs were pretty bad. During my second summer, I had to go to the hospital to get medication for the nasty bug bites I got on my stomach.

Still, the experience was invaluable. I played in two chamber music groups each year (in one I played violin; and in the other viola, since they were shorthanded). I studied with Stephen Shipps (both during the summer and during the year while I was in high school) and learned a lot via private lessons and performing in masterclasses. I loved having my lessons and masterclasses in Ivan Galamian's studio - it's a beautiful space (I assume that not much has changed since I was there).

I also remember Mrs. Galamian sitting at the kitchen table in the Main House, smoking (may she rest in peace).

I had to practice a lot - with the required practice time, chamber music rehearsals, coachings, lesssons, practice sessions with my pianist, etc. Starting at 8:30 was brutal, especially since I am definitely not a morning person. The days were also very long - by the middle of the summer, we had evening concerts 6 days a week which last until 11:30 at night, so I never got enough sleep or down time.

It is true, however, that the "special" musicians were picked to perform in concert over and over. I only had the opportunity to perform once. I was supposed to perform once during my second summer, but my performance was pulled in favor of one of the "special" kids.

I was 14 and 15 years old when I attended, and didn't feel like I was being watched at every moment (except during the required practice sessions), but my days were so structured that so much supervision really wasn't necessary.

On weekends, the big thing to do was to walk to the truck stop for some real food - burgers, shakes. I also enjoyed going to Elizabethtown occasionally just to get some junk food at the supermarket and loved Lake Placid.

I am going to be studying at Meadowmount this summer and I thank you for all of the comments/warnings!!!

Also, for anyone to answer, I was just wondering how I could get lots of oppertunities to perform. I know there is some thing going on with the "special kids" or whatever, but I would really like as many performances I could get.

Anyways, for the new people, some more info, it's really hot up there and really humid so be warned. Your violin will tend to sweat in the morning.

Usha, the performances you can look for will be in the weekly studio class that your teacher has. If you do get to perform in a concert, you're lucky. Have a good summer.

But how do they choose wich people get to perform in an acctuall concert?

And do they have master classes there?

Also, if I had to play viola in a chamber group, would I have to bring my own up? Could I play viola in another group, even if I wasnt asked to?

Towards the end of camp those concerts spots are usually filled up by chamber musicians. If you work hard in your group you may be asked to play. There's also the "playoffs". Your coach will choose a certain number of his groups to play for Mr. Carman and some of the other teachers. Out of all the groups, some will win run-out performances and concerts on site.

You, and everyone else, will have a studio class every week. You're welcome to attend anyone elses (unless it is during practice hours, in which case I believe you get to pick one a week?) And they'll probably bring someone in to do some more formal masterclasses. One year they brought Ruggiero Ricci for a whole week of classes.

They have violas there for those chosen to play it in another group. I don't think they will ask you to bring it, as I've never met anyone that knew of their assignment until arrival. If you're not assigned a viola part and you'd like to be, you could always put together your own group and find a coach. From my experience the chamber coaches are very willing and nice about that sort of thing.

By the way, did I mention the way you finally get used to the bugs at about 4 weeks, and then suddenly, you notice them again and freak out for another couple of weeks.

I find the remarks about Owen Carmen interesting. If I had a high school student I would never send them to Meadowmount. My son's experience there was very distressing. The head counselor was not up to the job and the things that went on that summer went far beyond innocent pranks. Owen Carmen was unwilling to address any of the things which happened. His teacher felt that the sexual harassment which occurred (and was documented) was normal -- boys at 14 and 15 are exploring their orientation and that it was all a big game. We were so shell-shocked at the end that we didn't consider taking legal action, but we probably could have put together a good lawsuit.

The rooms were small and filthy when he moved in. His friend's mother went through and sprayed away a lot of mildew in both boys rooms. The chamber rehearsal rooms leaked when it rained and there were not enough of them. The food was substandard. The pranks when way beyond what they should have that summer and there was little effort made to control them. Practicing in the rooms was difficult -- the year my son went, supervision was non-existent, so productive practicing was difficult. Performance opportunities were extremely limited. The chamber program that summer was poorly run -- I think that his quartet got through one movement in 7 weeks. The camp he attends now requires each group to learn a complete work in 3 weeks and perform it.

The one thing he really loved about Meadowmount were the hiking expeditions. Other than that, it was a totally negative experience. The next summer he went to a different camp run by former Meadowmount inmate and he had a very positive experience.

We have had friends who have attended who have had a good experience and know others who were also traumatized. I guess my concerns were about the lack of adequate supervision the year he went, the exposure to behavior and physical attacks which should not have been part of his experience, and the relentless damaging pranks.

I'll have to admit I was also shell-shocked about the lawsuit. After talking about it with several colleagues and also former students it does seem after the Galamians passed away that Meadowmount morphed into another Neverland ranch. We'll have to wait and see how the trial goes.

Craig

-Pot roast, the only decent meal there
-Meadowmuffins
-The Meadowmount Man dressed in Rodolfo's bright orange shirt
-Ann Setzer driving really fast in her hot little red BMW
-The hilarious talent show
-Korean junk food :)
-Lilacs running out of water
-The total awesomeness of Mrs. Welp
-Praying that people wouldn't show up for the trips so I could get off campus
-People wandering around with cell phones out like witching rods, looking for service
-Waiting for the mail
-going to Gagliano in the dark and scaring ourselves silly
-lots and lots of both Carmen Fantasies

Anything else you care to add...

"This summer, I came to Meadowmount early to help organize the music store. I stayed with him for 2 weeks before camp started."
_______________________________

Given the allegations, it seems like an odd time (to me) for the teacher to share living space with a student.

Oh, and about the local fauna...I had a bat flying through my room one night at 3 am!

To quote Forrest Gump: " and that's all I have to say about that." ;-)

I enjoyed teaching my students very much.

Stranger things have happened here...

 I didn't see David Russell on the faculty list for Meadowmount this summer. :-(

Hey people. im fifteen and have been playing violin for 5 1/2 years and im going to Meadowmount for this summer. Ive previously been to Interlochen for the past 3 summers, so Im used to the music camp thing, but I was wondering if anyone that has been to meadowmount recently could tell me a little about the camp. Any info would be great. Thanks!

hey peter,

I'm sure there are a lot of different past threads that will be helpful to you in the linked archives (go to Search function on the right of the vCom page).  One word...intense.  it's a lot more intense than interlochen's camp (I went to Interlochen for the intermediate section, and I don't have a direct comparison between highschool level interlochen vs. meadowmount).

By tradition, Meadowmount is one of the premier camps for violinists and cellists.  Great faculty, facilities, and players (players of extremely high caliber...i would say way more talented than the crop of violinists that attend Interlochen).  interlochen in itself is an extremely wonderful place.  I am by no means undermining it.  The two camps are just different.

Meadowmount is pretty isolated and I've found that there were a lot more things to do at Interlochen.  At interlochen you have students studying lots of different things other than instruments and orchestra, etc so you have an extremely diverse and HUGE group of students coming together.  Meadowmount is a bit more selective and smaller.

Hello everyone!

I'm 14 and will be attending Meadowmount this summer.  I'm actually a cellist, but I found this forum about Meadowmount and thought I'd take advantage of it as so far it's given me the best information regarding the camp!  Hope no one minds. 

Thanks to everyone's comments, most of my questions are answered!  However, I do have a few left.  

Is the atmosphere very cut-throat competitive?  It seems that most people acknowledged it was a friendly place, but I was wondering if anything has changed since.

Would it be better to arrive on the Saturday or Sunday in June?  I know you don't HAVE to arrive until Sunday, but I was wondering what past students had to say.

Thanks much!

I'm going to MM this summer as well and have never been. Is there anyone who lived on campus that was over 18? I'm 19 and I was wondering what the experience is like for the older students compared to the younger ones. Also is there anyone who studied with Gerardo Ribeiro? I would greatly appreciate any advice and heads-up on what to expect! 

Hi,

I have attended Meadowmount while I was under 18.  It is a great place to go if you are interested in practicing and not having to play in some type of orchestra (also, if you are looking to lose weight because the food is so bad...).  I will be returning this summer as an 18/19 year old (my birthday is in July) so it will be my first time attending as an "over 18" student.  When you are 18 or older, you have a lot more freedom...

Also,  I will be studying with Mr. Ribeiro.  I was a long-time student of his before I started college (8 years I think!).  He is an excellent teacher.  He pays a lot of attention to both the technical and musical aspects of playing, especially how those two components work together.  He is extremely detailed.  I've had lessons where I would only get through one line of music because he can find something to improve with practically everything!  I'm sure you will enjoy working with him.  He is an amazing violinist and can still demonstrate anything on the violin which was always very helpful for me.

~Mae

 Thanks Mae for the response! I am definitely looking forward to studying with Ribeiro this summer and having the chance to be surrounded by phenomenal players, no matter how intimidating!

Emily, go ahead get there early; you will have time to get used to your surroundings and possibly meet your cabin mates.  (If you should end up in Kreisler, enjoy the spectacular view.)

As an over-18er, they pretty much leave you to your own devices and expect you to be self-disciplined about practicing.

Thanks for your response.  I'll plan to arrive early, then - I was thinking it'd be easier to settle in then, anyways. 

78 days!  : )   I'm looking forward to everything about the place...except the food of course (from what I've seen/heard).

Many years ago when I was a student at one of the music camps a snake crawled in my open violin case and made a nice home. I must have carried that guy around for a few days before I found him. Just glad he didn't fit inside the f holes because THAT would have been nteresting.  You're happily playing the Pastoral Symphony and this dude pops out of your violin f hole and stares you down. On the other hand, maybe a snake in your violin would help your scales.

Music Giveaway

Mark O'Connor's method books -- released this week -- teach students using many styles of American music. Enter to win a set of the books this week, on Violinist.com. Photo: Deanna Rose

Search

Discussion Topics

Instruments
3173 threads

Repertoire
1741 threads

Life in general
1160 threads

Technique
1076 threads

Violinists
850 threads

Practicing
809 threads

Schools
684 threads

Teaching
649 threads

Performing
557 threads

CD reviews
321 threads

Health
297 threads

Auditions
241 threads

Orchestra
216 threads

Concert review
157 threads

News
92 threads

DVD reviews
69 threads

For sale
59 threads

Recordings
24 threads