How does everyone feel about participants who are no longer in school/not recent graduates occupying fellowships in major festivals, like tanglewood or aspen?
Personally, I feel like it's unfair. Especially those who already have a full time job. I understand that these festivals are competitive and ultimately the playing speaks for itself. However, why take opportunities away from the current "hotshot" college horn players? Ultimately having older, employed participants in these festivals is taking opportunities from every college aged student auditioning for any festival. With adults taking the ****** summer positions, the top college students look elsewhere, and inevitably bump others out of spots that they also deserve.
On the other hand, I know that these festivals are premier and often free. They are more professional than they are amateur. However, I can't help but think about this.
All of these festivals have age limits to apply. Anythinh beyond that would be even more unfair. Where someone is in their schooling relative to their age can be affected by a number of factors, such as transferring, homeschooling, or mandatory military service for countries like Israel or Korea.
These festivals, especially the free ones, are based on merit, not need. They (hopefully) look at your audition, not your age, professional status, etc. Get used to this, because once you enter professional world, you will encounter many more cases of people who don't "need" opportunities (ultra wealthy players, nepo babies, or students attending tuition-free schools) being picked over those who would gain far more and are equally qualified. The sooner you learn not to take that personally, the sooner you save your own sanity and just focus on YOU.