Has anyone heard of Sewanee Summer Music Festival?

March 28, 2006 at 05:33 AM · Yes, I've been to Sewanee. I loved it there, and I considered it as almost a second home. I went there 4 full summers. Unfortunately, I've heard that it has changed a lot since, but there are still excellent faculty members, including Thomas Moore, and Charlie Pikler. Ms. Sung is very good too.

April 1, 2006 at 02:47 AM · I have been there but that was over 20 years ago. I do still remember having alot of fun, hard work, and making great friends. It was also when I learned a piece that I will be now plaing in the community orchestra. I hope I remember what I learned back then!

April 1, 2006 at 03:19 AM · I live in Sewanee, and attended the SSMF three times. (incidentally, Brian and I overlapped for two!)

It has indeed changed a lot in the last few years, and frankly there's no telling what it will be this summer. However, the new faculty members are promising.

But in general: orchestra is the most time-consuming component of the camp. Individual practice/lessons is next, followed by chamber music, which is well taught but not emphasized in the schedule at Sewanee. I'm not sure whether they're still offering (or requiring) theory or composition.

Sewanee is a beautiful place, and a very inspirational setting for a young artist. To me, one of the best things was being required to go to every concert. A real sense of community is developed that way. Also, when you're young and don't know that much repertoire (like me at age 14), it's an education in itself to hear 20-30 concerts in five weeks.

I also made amazing friends there. The food stinks. Hmm. Hope this helps.

Do you have more specific questions? I don't want to ramble on endlessly, but I'm sure there are things you need to know.

April 11, 2013 at 03:03 PM · My daughter attended Sewanee last summer (2012).

She had a wonderful time. It was HOT!

Some items to ask about that were in the brochure

(which didn't pan out in real life):

Air conditioned dorms (No)

Interesting social activities, like caving (No)

Full Supervision (Little)

So, while this may be a good camp for the self-sufficient, self-disciplined type, and not too competitive, the level of supervision doesn't lend itself to a good first-time camp experience for a 12-14 yr old. Having expectations based on the brochure left us a bit underwhelmed and cheated. Better to not promise and deliver, than promise and not deliver.