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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


We have compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions for you here. Please scroll through before sending us a note via email (though we do love getting your notes!):


General FAQ
  1. What weekend, recreational, & social activities are available?
  2. What HEALTH CARE services are available?
  3. May I apply for SCHOLARSHIPS or FINANCIAL AID?
  4. How will NYSMF contact me about stuff?
  5. Do you have a DRESS CODE?

Arrival and Departure FAQ
  1. May I have DRIVING DIRECTIONS to the fanciful land of Oneonta? (aka "The City in the Hills").
  2. WHAT should I bring with me to NYSMF? (CHECKLIST)
  3. When should I arrive? Where do I "check in"?
  4. Can I be picked up from the airport, train station (Rensselear), or bus station?
  5. Do parents/chauffeurs need to stick around after registration?
  6. Where may parents stay overnight, if needed?
  7. What if I have to ARRIVE EARLY or DEPART LATE?
  8. When does each session officially end?
  9. When the session is over, when do I have to (tearfully) leave?
  10. Do you have a CHECK-OUT procedure?
  11. I want to extend my stay. How may I do that?

Scheduling FAQ
  1. What is the schedule for my first day at NYSMF?
  2. When do rehearsals and classes officially begin?
  3. What is the DAILY SCHEDULE?
  4. Does the daily schedule ever change?

Concert FAQ
  1. When are concerts held?
  2. May my parents and I attend the concerts before we arrive?
  3. What is the CONCERT ATTENDANCE policy?
  4. What is the concert DRESS CODE?

 

 
Dorm Life FAQ
  1. How will I be housed at NYSMF?
  2. What should I BRING?
  3. What's the deal with these weird "EXTRA LONG SHEETS"?
  4. How will campers be SUPERVISED?
  5. What kind of SECURITY is used at SUNY Oneonta?
  6. What will my MAILING ADDRESS be for the summer?
  7. May I request my friend as a roommate?
  8. May I have appliances in my dorm room?
  9. I have special DIETARY NEEDS. Can you accomodate them?
  10. I have DAILY MEDICAL needs. May I take my meds on my own?
  11. Can I have GUESTS stay overnight in my room?
  12. Is there INTERNET ACCESS anywhere?

Musical FAQ
  1. What PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES will I have?
  2. Can I RENT an instrument?
  3. What are PLACEMENT AUDITIONS?
  4. What should I prepare for my PLACEMENT AUDITION?
  5. How will I know what ensembles I will play in?
  6. How do I choose what classes I will take?
  7. What is the CONCERTO SOLOIST AUDITION?
  8. WHERE may I PRACTICE?
  9. When will VISITING ARTISTS hold their MASTER CLASSES?

Private Lesson FAQ
  1. How may I PAY for private lessons?
  2. How are private lessons scheduled?
  3. How may I schedule ADDITIONAL private lessons?
  4. May I choose my private lesson teacher?
  5. How many private lessons should I take?
  6. May I get a private lesson from a visiting artist? how much does that cost?
  7. What if I need to CANCEL or MISS a private lesson?

General FAQ

TOP

GENERAL

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

SCHEDULING

DORM LIFE

MUSICAL

PRIVATE LESSON

CONCERT

 
What weekend, recreational, and social activities are available?

Weekends consist of concerts and recreational activities (may include off-campus trips).
  • Saturday mornings will consist of weekly morning class/ensemble schedules.
  • Sunday mornings are free for practice, recreational time, or for students who wish to attend religious services.
  • Some performances will take place during selected Sunday afternoons.

All social and recreational programs are organized and supervised by the dorm supervisors and counselors. Activities include (but are not limited to) off-campus trips; movie nights; bowling; movies; running club (known as "Fun Run"); rollerskating; dances; trips to local lakes or parks; etc. Students may also opt to practice during free times.

Camp Yearbook: "Cadenza"
Students can take part in the writing and editing of NYSMF’s summer publication “Cadenza”. They may also assist in the preparation for the final dance at the end of the festival.


What HEALTH CARE services are available?

NYSMF is staffed by RNs, in accordance with the New York State Health Department’s regulations. Daily arrangements are made for students who need to take medication on a regular basis. Students will be sent to A.O. Fox Hospital for severe injuries and/or emergencies.
May I apply for SCHOLARSHIPS or FINANCIAL AID?

NYSMF offers a limited number of scholarships and financial aid packages available for eligible students. To apply, please complete and return the NYSMF Financial Aid/Scholarship Form, which is included in the NYSMF Application Forms.

Students and parents are urged to seek financial assistance from local sources such as school music organizations, county/state/national music education organizations, youth orchestras and bands, music clubs, service clubs (i.e. Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.), businesses, local churches and foundations.

One such opportunity for VA and NC students is here:

The National Society of Arts and Letters is offering $10,000 in scholarships in both voice and visual art for students ages 16-22. Visit the NSAL Website www.arts-nsal.org and select Scholarships/Virginia-North Carolina Chapter for details.


How will NYSMF contact me about "stuff"?

Email is NYSMF's preferred means of contact for all administrative matters, including admissions status, news notices, billing issues, etc. This ensures there is a clear record for you and for NYSMF, and prevents any confusion. Please let us know if you prefer being contacted by other methods - phone, fax, mail, telepathy, smoke signals, sonar, etc.


Do you have any kind of DRESS CODE?

Yes indeed we do, but fear not, we promise it's nothing unreasonable.

  • EVERYDAY DRESS CODE (not very strict)
    Your regular, everyday clothes generally will be fine. Please, however, avoid anything that could be construed as potentially "offensive", "embarassing", "inciteful", "vomit-inducing", etc.

    Generally, use this old rule of thumb: if you have to ask, don't bring it.
  • CONCERT DRESS CODE (strict)
    White shirt/blouse, black pants, black socks, black shoes.
    - NOTE: Conductors have final discretion on any concert dress that differs from this basic concert dress code.
    - OPTIONAL: black ties, black jackets. They will look really good onstage, though.

Arrival and Departure FAQ

TOP

GENERAL

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

SCHEDULING

DORM LIFE

MUSICAL

PRIVATE LESSON

CONCERT

 
May I have DRIVING DIRECTIONS to Oneonta, the fabled "City in the Hills"?

You may read, print, and download directions from our website on this page. It contains every possible means of getting to Oneonta and NYSMF -- including interstellar and sub-orbital methods. Check it out.
What should I bring with me to NYSMF?

Our crack staff has assembled an exhaustively complete checklist of what to bring with your to NYSMF.

Click the appropriate icon to download the checklist in either Word or PDF format.

PDF

Word


SPECIAL NOTICE FOR ALL ELECTRIC BASS AND GUITAR PLAYERS

PLEASE bring your small portable amplifier with you to camp! They are an essential part of your instrument (you can't play without an amp, after all), and we do not have enough to go around. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE BEHIND YOUR EXTRA SOCKS OR YOUR BEST CINDERELLA GOWN, BRING YOUR AMP.

Believe me, it will make your life much easier, and your conductors and instructors will thank you profusely. Thanks!


When should I arrive? Where do I "check in"?

Students should arrive between 10am - 1pm on the first Sunday of their first session:
  • June 29, 2008 (Session One)
  • July 13, 2008 (Session Two)
  • July 27, 2008 (Session Three)

Please follow the signs on campus to check in at our Registration Area. There, you will meet the entire NYSMF Administration, Faculty, and Staff; take care of any remaining payments; and receive your room key; and schedule your Placement Audition. You will also find lots of counselors waiting and willing to help you schlepp your bags to your room!

If you arrive after 1pm, please check in at the NYSMF office.

Placement auditions will be held from 2:30pm - 4:30pm.


Can I get picked up from Albany Airport, Bus Station, or Train Station?

Most certainly! We offer transportation to and from the Albany Airport at a cost of $75 one way. (Taxi service runs about $135 or so, and they sometimes will only meet students outside the terminal, those evil taxi companies.)

We will meet students inside the terminal and ensure that they are safely escorted to the Festival.

If you would like to use our airport service, please indicate this on your application. You may pay the shuttle fee online at our Online Payments page.


Do parents/chauffeurs need to stick around after registration?

Once parents have completed registration and settled any remaining account balances, they may depart any time they like.
Where may parents stay overnight, if needed?

The Oneonta area has a goodly amount of hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and the like. A current list is conveniently provided by the Oneonta tourism website.

Lots of additional useful information for getting around Oneonta is available on the NYSMF website here.


What if I have to ARRIVE EARLY or DEPART LATE?

If you need to arrive a day or two early, or leave a day or two late, we can accommodate you for a fee of $100 per day. You may pay this fee on our PAYMENTS page, and please send us a note with the specific dates as far in advance as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
WHEN does each session officially end?

Each NYSMF session officially ends when the All-NYSMF Choir sings its final note on Saturday evening (July 12, July 26, or August 9, 2008), generally around 9:30pm. You may leave any time after then, since every student and staff member of NYSMF is required to sing in the All-NYSMF Choir.

Students who leave before the conclusion of that Saturday night concert will be automatically disqualified from receiving NYSMF Awards and/or Scholarships.
When the session is over, when must I (tearfully) leave?

You may of course stay for one last Saturday night with all of your new NYSMF friends and colleagues, perhaps sharing pizza and memories, but your room must be cleaned and your belongings safely moved out by 8 am the following morning.

Students who leave before the conclusion of that Saturday night concert will be automatically disqualified from receiving NYSMF Awards and/or Scholarships.


Do you have a CHECK-OUT procedure?

You will receive a CHECK-OUT checklist at least 24 hours before the end of the current session of NYSMF. You may also pick up the checklist anytime before the end of the session from the NYSMF main office.


I want to EXTEND MY STAY. How may I do that?

Simply let your parents know your plans, and then let us know in the NYSMF main office anytime before the last Wednesday of the session. We'll contact your parents and take care of the rest -- and you can look forward to two to four more weeks of music!


Scheduling FAQ

TOP

GENERAL

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

SCHEDULING

DORM LIFE

MUSICAL

PRIVATE LESSON

CONCERT

 
What is the SCHEDULE my first day at NYSMF?

The regular daily NYSMF schedule officially begins at noon on Monday, the day after you arrive. Here's how you will be spending your time until then:

Sunday (day 1)

10am - 1pm

Arrive at NYSMF

  • Check in at Registration Area
  • Schedule your Placement Audition
  • Move into your room (ask any NYSMF counselor for assistance)
  • Hang out, meet your new roommate, meet your new friends on your floor, grab some lunch, etc.
2pm - 5pm Placement Auditions
7pm Opening Convocation
You will meet our Adminstration and Staff, and hear an introduction to the rules and regulations of NYSMF, as well as enjoy a selection of incredible performances from our talented staff
9pm Placement Audition Results posted. Check these to see in what ensembles you have been placed, and in which chair you have been seated.
9:30pm Floor Meetings. Meet and greet your counselors and your peers.
Monday (day 2)

9:30am

Class Registration
Takes place at the Registration Area.

10:30am

Private Lesson Scheduling
Takes place at the Registration Area.

12:00pm

Regular Daily Schedule begins


When do rehearsals and classes officially begin?

The regular daily NYSMF schedule begins at noon on the first Monday of each session. The classes & ensembles missed on that Monday will be made up on the first Saturday.
What is the regular DAILY SCHEDULE?

The regular daily schedule is viewable online on this page.
Does the daily schedule ever change?

The majority of your NYSMF days will follow the regular daily schedule. However, with your busy concert schedule, your weekend schedule will vary to accomodate your performances. All schedule changes will be announced ahead of time after rehearsals for the All-NYSMF Choir (held daily at 10am).

Some schedule changes may occur due to other activities being held on the campus of our host, SUNY Oneonta. However, we will always strive to keep any disruptions to a minimum.

All schedules are subject to change.


Dorm Life FAQ

TOP

GENERAL

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

SCHEDULING

DORM LIFE

MUSICAL

PRIVATE LESSON

CONCERT

 
How will I be housed at NYSMF?

Students will be housed in two-person dorm rooms, with each student having their own desk, bed, dresser, and closet. There will be two or three rooms in a SUITE, which includes a common area and a bathroom.


What should I BRING?

Our staff of rugged, seasoned music festival veterans have compiled a list of WHAT TO BRING that you may download here. Highlights include a pillow; sweaters (them Oneonta nights can get mighty turribull cold); a three-ring binder; a folding music stand; and EXTRA LONG SHEETS.

Checklist of what to bring with you to NYSMF (PDF format)

What's this about EXTRA LONG SHEETS?

I will now tell you a story to try and explain the phenomenon that is an extra long, extra narrow mattress, which may shed some light on the matter. Just because it's a complete fiction from my own fertile imagination shouldn't detract from your enjoyment.

(play guitar intro here)

Once upon a time, there was a beanpole who wanted to grow up to become the world's most successful mattress maker. Envious of the glory achieved by Mr. Sealy, Mr. Serta, Mr. Dux, and the master of them all, Mr. and Mrs. Craftmaticbed, the beanpole vowed to beat them all at their own game.

Alas, the beanpole could never understand the mystery of the twin, full, queen, or king mattress sizes. And forget the California King! Utterly perplexed as to why anyone would possibly need so much surface area on which to sleep, the beanpole instead focussed on making a mattress that would be comfortable for all the peoples of the world who were made of sticks of bamboo, or rebar, or PVC piping.

The beanpole came up with a unique mattress that is a little longer and a little narrower than a standard Twin, and filled it with sharp sticks, pointed rocks, ancient springs, and mustard. And he proudly dubbed it the Beanpole Extra Long Mattress.

At first the world laughed at the Beanpole Mattress. "Who," they jeered, "will buy your mattress when they already have thousands of dollars' worth of twin sheet sets?"

The Beanpole was sad and went to Madison Avenue in NYC to try and burn itself to death. But as it was desperately flicking its Bic lighter, an Evil Ad Exec rushed up and said, "Don't give up, Mr. Beanpole. I can save your brilliant invention."

"How?" grumbled the Beanpole, who, not having any thumbs, fingers, or any limbs to speak of, was losing patience with itself.

"It's alllll marketing," said the Evil Ad Exec. "And I understand. I was just a simple Tomato Stake, until I came to Madison Avenue and got a job with Burson-Marstellar Advertising. Come."

And so they concocted a plan to market the Beanpole Mattress as the World's Best Dormitory Mattress. Targeting every college in America, they pitched the idea that supplying freshman with a twin mattress would be disastrous - can you imagine what a freshman would do, if they ever heard the words "twin" and "bed" together???

Quietly, they contacted the Fitted Sheet Industry for their support. They convinced them to create a brand new sheet size, and thus expand their market by up to 25%, after years of only being able to sell twin, full, queen, and king size sheet sets. Now there were FIVE mattress sizes, and those mattresses would be needing sheets, muuu hahahahahaha.

It was a rousing success! Every college in America bought 10,000 Beanpole Mattresses, and in a wild orgy of imagination, changed the name to "extra long".

And so the Beanpole married the former Tomato Stake, and the two retired to an organic farm in Seattle where they support zucchini and roses.

And THAT is why you need to bring a set of "extra long" sheets with you to NYSMF.

Aesop and Kipling would have been proud.


How will campers be SUPERVISED?

NYSMF maintains a 3- or 4-to-1 proportion of campers to faculty/staff.

Counselors will be housed in the dormitories alongside the students, providing 24/7 supervision. Some faculty members may also be housed within the dorms, providing additional supervision.

All NYSMF Counselors are 18 years of age and older. Many will have had training in Emergency Care, First Aid, and CPR.


What kind of SECURITY is in used at SUNY Oneonta?

All NYSMF students, staff, and faculty will be issued magnetic access "KEYCARDS", which must be used for entry into any campus building.

New York State Troopers patrol SUNY Oneonta 24/7. We are fortunate that they also have an office right on campus, providing near-instantaneous response in emergency.

The dorm offices will also be staffed during all evening and late night hours, controlling dormitory and building access.


What will my MAILING ADDRESS be for the summer?

Your friends, relatives, parents, and pets may mail you letters, postcards, and most important, CARE PACKAGES filled with cookies and powdered drink mix (yumm, don't forget to share) at the following address:

YourName
c/o NYSMF (New York Summer Music Festival)
SUNY Oneonta
Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820 - 1768

Don't forget -- any CARE packages, especially home-baked cookies, are very thoughtful to share with your new NYSMF friends. Please?

NOTE: NYSMF cannot guarantee the timely arrival of any mail or packages. Believe me, we're not especially happy about it, either, but we can't do much about it.


May I request my friend as my roommate?

Sure, but BOTH your parents AND your friend's parents must independently notify us by email at least 48 hours before you both arrive at NYSMF.


May I have appliances in my dorm room?

You may bring small electronic devices including computers, hairdryers, gaming devices, etc. You may also bring a dorm-size refrigerator, room fans, window fans, etc.

You may NOT bring any kitchen appliances, air conditioners, etc., UNLESS you have a medical condition that requires any of these devices, AND you have sufficent documentation documenting dis. If you have any questions, please contact us directly.


I have special DIETARY NEEDS. Can you accomodate them?

Sure! Please let us know as soon in advance as possible, and we'll communicate your needs to the SUNY food service people at SODEXHO. They are happy to accomodate any special dietary needs, from nut allergies to kosher foods to strict vegans to silicon-based lifeforms requiring daily intake of shards of metal and machine oil mixed garnishing a tire-rubber lasagna.


I have special DAILY MEDICAL NEEDS. May I take my meds on my own?

Unfortunately, NO. New York State Health Regulations for overnight summer camps clearly state that no camper may keep ANY medications, either OTC or prescription, in their rooms. ALL MEDICATIONS MUST BE GIVEN TO THE NYSMF NURSE UPON ARRIVAL, AND MAY ONLY BE DISPENSED BY A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.

You may, of course, come to the nurse's or the dorm office any time you require your personal medication and administer it yourself. For example, if you require a puff from your athsma inhaler, or your antihistamine to control a known potentially allergic reaction, just ask any NYSMF counselor or staff member and they will accompany you to get your medicine.

Please don't misinterpet any of this. We do indeed trust, respect, and like you. But simply put, due to the strict Health and safety regulations, neither you, your parents, your cats, your dogs, your lawyers, nor any other summer camp - including NYSMF - has any say in this.


Can I have GUESTS stay overnight in my room?

Unless your guests have been or shall be NYSMF students, we are - BY LAW - not allowed to host any guests in the same rooms as NYSMF students.


Is ther INTERNET ACCESS anywhere?

Every dorm room is wired for internet access. PCs and Macs will both work. In order to activate the port in your room, you will have to perform the following dance for the our host's computer people:

  • You will have to purchase a USER ACCOUNT from our host, SUNY Oneonta Telecommunications Services, located in the Netzer Administration Building just south of the Fine Arts Building.
  • They charge $10-$15 for a non-transferable summer account
  • You must supply your own ethernet cable (aka LAN cable, internet cable, broadband cable, 10/100/1000BT cable, or fat phone cable) to connect to the port in your room
  • You must REGISTER your computer the first time you connect to their servers.
  • You must be prepared to UPGRADE your system to meet their "standards", which may include antivirus upgrades, Windows XP or Vista upgrades, and/or Microsoft Office upgrades which REQUIRE the use of the original installation disk, as well as any other diabolical requirements they may demand.
  • WIRELESS: There is SOME wireless access on campus, however, if you have already registered your computer using a WIRED connection, you will NOT be able to re-use your account on the wireless connection.

Alternatively, you may use the public computers in the college library, or just use your time at NYSMF as a welcome break from the big bad internet.

Please note that while we do NOT endorse one computer platform over another ... 90% of our PC/Windows users have had nightmarish experiences trying to connect to the internet at SUNY Oneonta, while 0% of our Mac users had any problem at all. We're just reporting the facts. That's all. No subliminal messages here. Nope.


Musical FAQ

TOP

GENERAL

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

SCHEDULING

DORM LIFE

MUSICAL

PRIVATE LESSON

CONCERT

 
What PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES will I have?

There are numerous solo and ensemble performance opportunities at NYSMF. Students are required to audition in order to perform in solo recitals.
Can I RENT an instrument?

A limited number of instruments are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis for $40.00 per week.

Please be sure to tell us well in advance if you will need to rent an instrument. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that we can provide a rental ax, so please bring your own if at all possible.


What are PLACEMENT AUDITIONS?

Placement Auditions are how the NYSMF Faculty and Conductors will learn how best to place and seat you in NYSMF ensembles. They take place the first Sunday afternoon of every session, and only last a few minutes. All students are required to audition for placement in performing organizations, ensembles and chamber music groups - yes, even bagpipe players.
What should I prepare for my "Placement Audition"?

Your placement audition will include the following elements:
  1. A prepared piece of your choosing. Make sure to pick one that really demonstrates your skills -- that is, don't play the third clarinet part from "Exodus", or anything - and we mean ANYTHING - by Brittany Spears.
  2. Scales
  3. Sight-reading

How will I know which ensembles I will play in?

This will be determined by the results of your PLACEMENT AUDITION. The results will be posted on Sunday evening, listing ensembles, names, and seating.


How do I choose which CLASSES to take?