Must I be present for the entire six weeks in
order to participate in the program?
- Yes, you must be present for the entire duration of the
program to participate. We accept just the number of
participants needed for our program, so full-time
participation is essential. A participant will be given
permission to miss part of the program only in unusual
circumstances.
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I downloaded a PDF file from your website, but I
can't successfully open it. What is wrong?
- In most instances, it is because the proper version of
Adobe Acrobat Reader is not installed properly. Make sure that
you have installed version 4.0 or later. If you are not able
to resolve the problem, send an e-mail requesting that a copy
of the application brochure be sent to you by postal mail.
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On the application form, what is meant by
"Which of the [instruments] above are you prepared to play and to bring
with you"?
- If accepted, you may be required to play any of the
instruments you list, depending on orchestral needs over the
course of the program. Only list instruments on which you are
proficient, and which you can bring with you. Large
percussion, piano and celesta are provided by the school.
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I haven't heard yet whether or not I am accepted
to your program, but I need to respond to another program before
their deadline. What do I do?
- Communicate your concerns by e-mail and we will
give you a response as soon as we are able.
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You say that late applications will be
considered on a space-available basis. How can I find out if there are still spaces available and whether it's worth
my effort to apply?
- The best way to obtain this information is to communicate
with us via e-mail. If we receive a late application and there
are no longer openings, we will reimburse the application fee
and keep your name on file as a possible alternate.
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What is the best way to get to the school?
- We encourage participants to drive whenever possible,
since access to a vehicle during the course of the program is
very useful. If you choose to fly, the nearest airports are
Bangor and Bar Harbor (Hancock County). Bar Harbor is closer,
but Bangor is a bigger airport with more flight options. If
you choose to travel by bus, your destination will be either
Ellsworth (nearest destination to Hancock) or Bangor,
depending on the bus line you use. We will pick up students
who arrive by plane or bus and transport them to the school in
Hancock.
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How does one obtain tickets to the concerts?
- A modest admission donation is charged at the door for
each concert. No advance reservation is necessary, but
instruct your guests to arrive about 30 minutes before
concert time, as seating is limited.
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CONDUCTORS
Do conductors really have to bring scores to all
the works listed on the curriculum?
- Although it is quite an investment to purchase all the
scores on the curriculum list, we ask conductors to bring as
many of the scores as possible. You will not know which scores
you will conduct until the beginning of each week, therefore
you will not have time to order a score after it is assigned
to you. Conductors should be studying all of the curriculum to
some extent, including works that others will conduct.
Exposure to a broad repertoire is one of the highlights of the
program. Scores for most works in the curriculum list are
available for purchase, though some are unavailable
(out-of-print or rental-only). More detailed information about
unavailable scores will be provided to conductors upon
acceptance.
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How do I obtain scores?
- Conductors are responsible for obtaining their own scores.
Much of the standard public domain repertoire is available in
affordable Dover, Kalmus or Luck's reprints. You can order
directly from individual publishers or through a music
distributor such as
Educational Music Service (845-469-5790) or
Luck's
Music Library (1-800-348-8749).
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How much podium time will I get each week?
- The amount of podium time will vary from week to week,
depending on the nature of your score assignment. If you are
conducting your assignment on that week's concert, you will be
on the podium a few times during the week. If you are
conducting an assignment that will only be read/rehearsed, you
will be on the podium once that week.
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How many pieces will I get to conduct over the
course of the six weeks?
- Conductors usually get one assignment a week. An
assignment could range from a single movement to an entire
piece.
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Do I get to pick which pieces I will conduct?
- No, you will be assigned the pieces you conduct, on a week
to week basis. You will be asked which pieces interest you
most, but that doesn't guarantee that you will be assigned any
of your choices.
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The curriculum list is very long. How should I
prepare before arriving at the school.
- The list is too long to study every piece in depth in
advance. Try to
get at least a cursory familiarity with as much of the list as
you can.
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Do conductors receive private lessons?
- Nearly all of the instruction occurs within the context of
the orchestra rehearsals, which are structured as
masterclasses. On
occasion, conductors may receive private lessons on specific
scores at the discretion of the faculty.
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Do the conductors really play in the orchestra?
What exactly does that mean?
- Yes, all conductors must play in the orchestra whenever
they are not on the podium. They make up one-third of the
orchestra and are as much contributing players as those who
attend as instrumentalists. Conductors must be proficient
enough on their instrument(s) to perform the works on the
curriculum.
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What if I don't play an orchestral instrument?
(I am a pianist, singer, etc.)
- If you do not play an orchestral instrument, you will play
in the percussion section. Keyboard players will also cover
piano and celesta parts. Conductors in the percussion section
are encouraged to acquire some basic percussion proficiency in
advance of the summer.
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You say that conductors should document their
instrumental proficiency in their application materials. How do
I do that?
- Conductors are not required to submit instrumental
audio recordings, though it is recommended. Document your
instrumental experience and accomplishment as clearly as
possible in your printed application materials. A conducting
applicant's general musicianship and instrumental skills play
an important part in the selection process.
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INSTRUMENTALISTS
It seems like the school is just for conductors.
What does an instrumentalist get out of the program?
- The school offers instrumentalists an opportunity to
significantly broaden their repertoire and to increase their
orchestral playing experience. Instruction in orchestra
rehearsals benefits the instrumentalists as well as the
conductors. Instrumentalists usually report that they learned
a great deal from their experience at the school and received
much more instruction and attention within the orchestra
rehearsals than they expected.
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Do instrumentalists receive private lessons?
- Instrumentalists do not receive private lessons and there
is no instrumental faculty on staff.
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How is seating within each section determined?
- Seating is determined on a week to week basis. In most
instances, the woodwind, brass and percussion sections
determine their own rotations and Maestro Jinbo sets the
string seating.
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Do I need to be able to double on a secondary
instrument in order for my application to be seriously
considered? Conversely, if I can double, will I only get to play
parts for my secondary instrument?
- You do not have to double to be a viable applicant, though
an ability to double puts you at an advantage. If you play a
secondary instrument, it does not mean that you will only play
that instrument.
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I've heard that students often return for
subsequent summers. Does that mean that there might not be
openings for my instrument and that my application would not
even be considered?
- While we often give previous participants an opportunity
to return to the school, their acceptance is never guaranteed.
We strongly encourage all those who are interested to submit
an application.
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