Meadowmount
Can anyone tell me a little about what to expect this summer? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Replies (93)
Hello future Meadowmounters.....
Expect to practice and listen to the 30 special students perform again..and again.... and again... have fun ;-)
Listening to these amazing people perform is one of the things that I am soooo looking forward to...I'm determined to soak it in like a spunge;);)
A few specific questions:
Are there any performance opprotunities for the "not-so-special" students? What is chamber music like at Meadowmount, and will I really have to play viola? Has anyone taken the Tartini bowing class taught by Avsharian?
Thanks.
Jenny
i've taken some classes with avsharian, but never the tartini bowing, i assume that is "art of bowing" by tartini? wonderful exercises, and avsharian is a pretty good teacher, very straight to the point with a good sense of humor.
Who's your teacher?
I'm studying with Patricia Mccarty
at meadowmount I mean:):)
I'll be studying with Arturo Delmoni. I'm very excited, I bought some of his CDs, and they are really beautiful.
I hope that chamber music is decent there...what I would really like to do is persue some alternative types of chamber music i.e. something other than quartets. Like a trio of a sextet or quintet or something like that...
I'm sooo happy for you Jenny!
I'll be going back to Meadowmount for my third summer this year, as I've really enjoyed it. It definitely seems to be a love/hate kind of place... I've yet to encounter someone who went and was indifferent about it. You can get a lot done if you apply yourself during the required practice. As for me, however, I found myself falling asleep while trying to play scales at the 8:30 am practice hour... but I know people who love to practice that early, and find that they make tremendous progress in the morning. As for chamber music, I've always enjoyed that most, but it could be difficult to organize something more original... almost all of the offical groups are standard quartets, the exceptions being the highest level groups with occasionally do trios and piano quintets and the like. You could easily organize a group of your own, but it might be difficult to find a coach for it, unless you're friends with a teacher that has an open time slot or something. =)
How do you decide what quartet to do? Do you bring your own chamber music or is it something for the coaches to determine??
I've been to Meadowmount in 01' and 02'. I've studied there with Sally Thomas and the second year I studied with Cyrus Forough. I also took the "Tartini Bowing Class" with Avsharian. The first year was pretty good, but the second year wasn't as good. Many people around there were determined to practice a lot, but after a week or so, ther began to practice less and less. (I've done this before.) Also, maybe about 25% percent of the student performers weren't great. (It was all connections with the teachers.) But it was also a great experience for me to see many talented young players around my age perform that were in my dorm.
Generally, the coaches decide which quartet you'll do... but if you have one in mind, they'll usually let you take a shot at it if you mention it to them.
Hi there, and hi chrissy!
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...)
Did anyone Study with Patricia Mccarty at Meadowmount either as a teacher or a Chamber Coach? She's an amazing violist and she's on the faculties of Boston Conservatory and Longy School of music, and she's my teacher this summer. I was just wondering:):)
Yes she was my chamber coach last summer, and it was under her that my group did the Schubert 2 cello quintet, which is an AMAZING piece but also AMAZINGLY hard to put together, and she must have done an awesome job because we placed 2nd in Fischoff with the Schubert.
Really nice person, really nice coach.
hey Congrats Felicia! I didn't know hear about your group and the Fischoff!
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
Oh yes, about Patricia McCarty. I had her last summer as a coach when I was playing viola for the very first time. Each of us were in other groups and I was REALLY busy with performances (Ms. Thomas had me prepare the Ysaye #3 and "La Ronde Des Lutins" in about 2 1/2 weeks at the same time as learning my trio as I was to perform the trio in week 2 and solo in week 3). At first we were assigned some Beethoven (ACK! 1st time Violist here!!!) so we asked for something a bit simpler (I think we setteled on mendelssohn e flat) and she complied. She's great and very helpful. Great musical ideas and very pleasant.
P.
hey i think my teacher was a judge at the fischoff. Ian swenson, do you know if he was there?
oh man....June 26 isnt coming soon fast enough...Congratulations Felicia!!!!!!!
Thanks, and yes Ian Swenson was there and he seemed like a really nice guy though I didn't get to talk to him, i think someone else in my group did.
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!
Hey Owen,
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.
alright, he's a wonderful man and an excellent violinist. His teaching style is not generally based on a set pedagogy although he incorporates what he learned from delay and weilerstein in particular. He has a vast knowledge of etude books and repetoire which helps as well. He is most certainly the most relaxed violinst i have ever seen, which is an excellent attribute in a teacher. He loves to incorporate ideas from other studies, i.e. yoga, rockclimbing, whatever even car racing and other odd things. He has a very deep understand of hte mechanics of the violin, especially the bow arm. He forces you to work very hard mentally to grasp difficult concepts. ALl in all he is a very wonderful teacher. I'd imagine he's better for more advanced students than for intermediate and beginner, but i assume you're pretty advanced.
which teacher do you study with at NEC?
Hey Owen, thanks so much for the helpful information. He sounds like a great teacher, and if my teacher is able to get ahold of him this summer and arrange some things, I hope I can have some lessons with him. (In answer to your question, I study with James Buswell at NEC.)
good luck getting ahold of him, he's extremely busy this summer, he leaves on monday i think and gets back july 10th so sometime after that most likely
I am attending Meaowmount this summer and I dont know anyone going, if anyone who has gone before could give me some input on what to expect, and what is the food like? my AIM- MGK002, if you are going and wanna chat IM me, so at leats i will have talked to someone :)
Hi Matt,
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
Hey, I liked those hot-pockets. Okay, so I tended to like a lot of things that they served that other people thought were terrible/toxic (the chicken cordon bleu comes to mind). But I really don't think the food was as bad as some thought. It's edible, and sometimes enjoyable.
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. =)
next year i'll try going there...
Thanks so much to everyone for the info about Meadowmount
But also are we supposed to know what dorm we are in? I pretty much haven't heard from Meadowmount since my acceptance. Also this is sort of a girly question, but what is with the 5 minutes shower rule? You think after shutting us in hot, stuffy practice rooms for 5 hours they would encourage cleanliness. : )
Also, just one more question, what do people do when they are not practicing? Is there a lot of freedom for people under 18? (I'm 17) or do you more feel like there is always someone watching you? Thanks in advance.
Jenny
Hey! Well, good luck to all of you who are going to meadowmount. If your under 18, there are times when you feel as if your being watched 24/7. During my first year I felt pretty free, but for my second year, I felt like I was always being watched. The good things are, that you can go to town or go shopping with your friends. Oh, about the 5 minute shower, sometimes you can take a 10 minute shower, but I always woke up before the others to take a longer shower... It's easier that way. Again, good luck!!! Have fun!!!
hello again... I'll see if i can catch you online sometime.. only 11 more days! here's my stand on food from a vegetarian's viewpoint- meadowmount doesn't feed vegetarians. j/k, no, actually i've heard that the food there has actually gotten much, much better than it used to be. many days they'll have an entree for vegetarians if the main entree is all meat. (and i've heard complaining that the vegetarians often have better food than the non-v's, don't know if this is true or not) most of what they supply me with is very much edible, and people have told me that's because i don't eat the meat (haha) so watch out for that. and OH- the "salsa of death", and elly can attest to that if she woudl just WRITE.
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
Jenny,
I Haven't heard about what dorm I'm in either, they probably just tell us at orientation. Basically I have received nothing since my acceptance. My question is, do you really feel yourself getting loads better when you go there? They claim that you can get a years worth of stuff done there if you apply yourself. Which is cool...because progress is something that I crave lol. It sucks that I'm just seventeen...lol. I was also wondering what the atmosphere is like at Meadowmount. Are there a lot of snooty people that go there or is it pretty friendly?
my mouse is dead so i'm desperately trying ot get this posted...
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...
forgot to say- ABSOLUTELY you will feel yourself progressing (that is, if you practice.) i learned so much last year and played in masterclasses to help with performing experience (believe me, it helps). absolutely positively will improve, no doubt about it. apply yourself and you can get a year's worth of stuff done.
maybe andrew can bring me back some milkshakes from the truckstop....
You don't usually find out your dorm assignment until you get there and they give you your room key at the office. The only reason I know mine is that I have... insider connections. ;-)
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.
Tennis! Does anyone play tennis? No one plays tennis... someone bring a racket.
Felicia, i'll bring a racket!
I think the best part about Meadowmount is the friendships you form there. I have made so many great friends every summer, friends i will always cherish, and even if your summer there is not the best, i don't think that you will ever regret going.
You guys are making me so excited about going! I can't wait. I hope i meet some of you there! If you see a 5' 10" girl with really long brown hair thats me so say hi! :)
wow, i agree, every since i heard i got in i have been to excitedabout going! ill bring some tennis stuff 2 felicia, but u probably already know that, anyone going wanna give some advice to a newcomer please IM me, MGK002
This is my first year going..
What would you recommend bringing to MM to make it bearable? I've got a tennis racket...
Greetings,
i think you ladies and gents nedd to study a hell of a lot before you go this year. you are obliged to use violins not tennis rackets in the lessons. The days of faking are long gone,
Cheers,
buri
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: yes, beware of the "salsa of death"...
Playing tennis and not practicing...WHAT BLASPHEMY!
what is the most popular thing to do on weekends?
i know tennis or ping pong, anything else i should bring?
Can anyone give me a perspective on Meadowmount for a young student (10 y.o.) How hard is it to be accepted at that age and how is it for them socially? How are the classes/practices?
Kim
Make sure you post your thoughts when you get home! We're anxious to hear how it went! Have fun!!!
A thought...
instead of the tennis racket... take "The Fiddler's Fake Book"... and make fiddling your sport!
(Sorry... my love of playing fiddle tunes can't help but surface! :)
Have FUN at camp!
K
Wow! Reading all this makes me SO excited to teach there next summer! It brings back so many wonderful memories of when I was a student there (for 8 summers!). I am really counting the days!Its such a beautiful place and such a good work ethic. Simply fabulous.
I hope to meet many of you (and others) there!
Meadowmount good: truckstop burgers.
Meadowmount bad: bugs.
Eh! Bugs make a good garnish! ;-)
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!):-)
This thread really brought back some memories. I attended Meadowmount way back in 1990 and 1991 (wow, I feel old). During both summers, we ran out of not only hot water, but all water a couple of times. I have not so fond memories of not being able to shower/flush the toilets for days at a time. When we did have water, I got up at 6:00 to ensure a hot shower. I stayed in the Annex my first summer, and in Lilacs the second summer.
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.
Greetings,
I am inclined to agree with David Russell`s analysis of the situation. While all bugs are an absolutely fundamental part of the food chain the ones one cannot see in a truckstop dead animal sandwich are probab ly far more dangerous than a friendly little music loving moth.
Cheers,
Buri
Hello,
I am going to be studying at Meadowmount this summer and I thank you for all of the comments/warnings!!!
Hey Antonio,
Im going too(:
who are you taking lessons with?
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.
Did I mention the bugs?
Eh, one of the years I went it was cold and rainy the entire time. Another year was hot, sunny, and humid, like Max said. I'd prepare for anything...enjoy yourself!
Thanks Max(:
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?
I haven't been since 2004, so my knowledge my be OLLLLD. Nevertheless, from my experience most of the performers knew they were going to play before they arrived at Meadowmount (most of them scholarship students). And there were a few who were asked/told towards the beginning of camp by their teacher that they would like them to perform. If you are brave, you could always ask your teacher there if there's an opening in one of the concerts. I saw that work for someone, but she had attended before.
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.
One thing that has not been mentioned in this article, is that Mr. Carman is pursuing a counter-suit against this individual for extortion, and defamation of character (last I heard). Meadowmount will still go on this summer, but Mr. Carman is taking a leave of absence.
Since Mrs Galamian passed away in 2005 I often thought is Meadowmount going to remain a quiet place to practice? This does look very serious.
The article is saddening. I hope it's not true. I had many dealing with Carman back in the early 90's, and had great respect for him as a musician. I still remember him driving across a field in his Caddy to bust a couple of kids out late. "What are you doing?"
"Jus' chillin'"
"Well go chill in your room" (w/total deadpan expression)
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.
Bugs are one thing. I had mice running across my floor.
I would take cleaning supplies, mold and mildew remover, a fan, and lots of bug spray.
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.
Ruth,
I agree with much, but there were plenty of performance opportunities. Meadowmount's essential problem, and illustrated by your description, is that while it was designed for one group of elite young musicians, it has morphed into another. When I was there, kids as young as 8 and 9 were made to practice by themselves 5 hours, like everyone else. It seemed like a one-size-fits-all philosophy to me, and not very productive for most of those kids.
Ruth,
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
It's that time of year again...since I'm feeling nostalgic, here are some things I remember:
-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...
Anonymous Student wrote:
"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.
As far as I'm concerned it is a wonderful place. Don't listen to the nasty rumors. Anyone privileged to spend time there will remember it forever as an outstanding musical experience.
Oh, and about the local fauna...I had a bat flying through my room one night at 3 am!
Oh boy. Boy, oh boy. Boy, oh boy oh boy.... and then some.
To quote Forrest Gump: " and that's all I have to say about that." ;-)
Did you just get back from Meadowmount?
Yes, a few days ago. It was lovely in the Adirondacks. I caught many speckled trout. I walked great distances, saw many beautiful sights.
The Adirondacks are wonderful.
I enjoyed teaching my students very much.
Ha, I didn't catch the different last names, so I though David Russell was having a conversation with himself.
Stranger things have happened here...
Ha! Emily. I've been known to do that once in awhile. But this time...I'm mostly speechless...
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.
You can expect the ghost of Mrs. G patroling the bushes in the dark.
I'd like to hear from some of the above posters to tell us where they are now in the violin world.
MMT IS THE BEST!!! haha no it can feel like prison sometimes not gonna lie. I have some great memories from that place though. You'll probably have a very emotional summer
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May 23, 2004 at 01:26 AM · Hey this is gonna be my first summer there, too. I heard that it's pretty intense...well... very intense actually!! I think that when they say "rigorous practice on your instrument" they mean it! Most of the people I have talked to either love it or hate it. But I also hear that you get like a years worth of work done in one summer. All in all it sounds like a ton of work, but if you love your instrument and you apply yourself I think it will end up being a very rewarding experience. Being a New Yorker and living relatively close to the Adirondacks (about 2 1/2- 3 hours away) I can honestly say that the Adirondacks are really beautiful; I can definently feel the whole Transcendentalist vibe going on when I think about it;).
See you there!