For Students and Parents

ARRIVAL DAY: SATURDAY, JUNE 21

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. at the Main House. If a student is unable to arrive on Saturday, they should plan to arrive by 1 pm on Sunday, June 22 in time for orientation activities scheduled for the afternoon and evening.

The dining room will be open for dinner starting Saturday evening, June 21. All students are required to attend the orientation meeting in the Concert Hall on Sunday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. Classes begin on Monday, June 23.

Arrivals after opening day are subject to the Artistic Director’s approval.

DEPARTURE DAY: FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

Departure is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, August 9. If a student is unable to leave on Friday they may remain on campus until 1 pm on Saturday, August 9. Lunch is the last meal served on Saturday.

Early departures are subject to the Artistic Director’s approval.

STUDENTS ARRIVING BY CAR

Meadowmount is 275 miles north of New York City, 130 miles north of Albany and 100 miles south of Montreal on Interstate I-87.

Address: 1424 County Route 10, Westport, NY 12993

Approximate driving times to Meadowmount:
From NYC – 5 hours north
From Albany, NY – 2 hours north
From Boston, MA – 5 hours west
From Burlington, VT – 1-1/2 hours southwest
From Montreal, Canada – 1-1/2 hours south

Driving Directions from Interstate I-87:

Take Exit 32 and head west on Stowersville Rd.
In 700 yards, turn left at truck stop (Redmond Road) and continue 1 mile to the stop sign (County Route 10).
Turn left and immediately bear right.
The Concert Hall is the first driveway on the right and the Main House entrance is the second driveway on right. Please enter here to check-in.

STUDENTS ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Amtrak train service is available to Westport, NY (WSP) and Burlington, VT (BTN). If arriving in Westport, NY, students will be picked up at the train station by Meadowmount staff. If arriving in Burlington, NY, students must take a taxi to the ferry terminal in Charlotte, VT and the ferry to Essex, NY. Students will be picked up from the ferry terminal in Essex.

Amtrak trains travel from New York, NY and Montreal, Canada. Find more ticket information on the Amtrak website (www.amtrak.com).

STUDENTS ARRIVING BY AIR

Students arriving by air should fly into the Burlington, Vermont airport (BTV) or Plattsburgh, New York airport (PBG).

Once Campus Life staff review travel plans for arrival day, Meadowmount will send out ground transportation schedules to confirm how students will travel from the airport to Meadowmount on arrival day.

It is important that you schedule your arrival into the Burlington airport before 6:30 p.m. in order to allow enough time to make the final ferry in Charlotte, VT at 8 p.m.

For your return trip home, you must schedule your departing flight after 10:30 a.m. The first ferry to Vermont does not allow enough time to arrive at the airport for an earlier flight.

CHARLOTTE-ESSEX FERRY

For students arriving by plane or train in Burlington, VT: Upon arrival, students take a taxi or car service to the Charlotte, VT ferry landing, where they can purchase tickets and take the ferry across Lake Champlain to Essex, NY. Students must arrange their own transportation to the ferry from the airport. Ferries (www.ferries.com) depart from Vermont every hour from 6 – 9 a.m., every half hour from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and again every hour from 6 – 8 p.m. Crossing time is about half an hour and the fare is $5.25 for a walk on. Students will be picked-up at the Essex, NY ferry landing, about a 20 minute drive from campus.

OVERVIEW

For 80 years, Meadowmount has offered a unique environment for the study of music performance. Our students come from all over the world, making music the common language. Meadowmount accepts 180 students, ages 13 to 30, to live on campus. Students are housed according to age and gender in cabins, houses, and dormitories on our 245 acre campus.

Meadowmount operates under two permits, a summer camp permit for students under 18 and a residential permit for students 18 and over. Students (ages 13-17) are chaperoned by live-in counselors at a ratio of 1 counselor to 7-10 students. Resident Assistants oversee the adult housing.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT, POLICIES & RULES

All students are asked to carefully review and sign the standards of conduct, policies & rules upon acceptance to Meadowmount.

THE MEADOWMOUNT SCHEDULE

Each student is required to adhere to a basic daily and weekly schedule. The core Meadowmount schedule is as follows: 

Solo Morning Practice – 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Monday to Saturday
50 minutes of practice / 10 minute break per hour

Solo Afternoon Practice – 5:00 – 6:00 pm Monday to Friday
60 minutes of practice

Studio Time – Weekly individual lesson and studio class 

Chamber Practice – Regular group practice

Chamber Studio – Weekly individual chamber coaching and chamber studio class

Concert Attendance – Regular Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings and some Thursday evening

Masterclasses & Special Programming – as scheduled and required

Performance opportunities – as programmed by the Artistic Director (on and off-campus)

FACILITIES

The campus has a 500 seat concert hall, a 70 seat performance space, and chamber music rehearsal cabins. The dining room, snack bar, student common area, music library, mailboxes, office, and infirmary are all located in the Main House.

DINING

Three homemade meals are provided each day including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Bottled spring water dispensers are available in each dorm and in the dining room. Our kitchen staff is notified of food allergies and the food is labeled if these ingredients are present. Please note that due to the large volume of food preparation, the kitchen is unable to prepare special foods for individual dietary needs.

RECREATION

On-campus recreation includes table tennis, badminton, basketball, and soccer. The Sally Thomas Recreation Center hosts indoor table tennis, pool table, board games and card game areas. The Common Room in the Main House has a reading library, board games, card games, puzzles, and Wi-Fi.

LOCAL TRIPS AND FIELD TRIPS

During the week, small local walks and trips to town are offered in the afternoon. Off-campus recreational activities are offered on the weekend. They include hiking, shopping excursions, and sightseeing trips. The majority of these trips are cost-free. These are typically small trips, and cannot accommodate the entire campus. We do our best to ensure that each student is able to go on at least one field trip during the summer, but we cannot guarantee a spot for each student on each trip. Some activities have a fee.

LEAVING CAMPUS

Students aged 18 and older may leave the campus at any time. Students under age 18 are not allowed to leave campus without parental, faculty, or counselor supervision. This includes walking on County Route 10.

Students under age 18 may leave campus with an adult visitor authorized by a parent, only if there is a Visitor Release Form signed by the parent, naming the adult, date and time of the visit on file in the Meadowmount Office. Visiting adults must register in the office prior to leaving campus with the student.

COUNTY ROUTE 10

County Route 10 is the main road which runs the length of the campus and that students must cross for activities scheduled in the Rose Performance Space.

Student safety around County Route 10 is a priority concern. As we look ahead to Summer 2025, here are rules specific to be on the road and cross the road.

1. All students should use the crosswalk to cross County Route 10.
2. Students over 18 can walk, run, and bike off campus but should wear bright colored, reflective clothing and walk and run in the lane opposite traffic in order to be able see approaching cars and trucks.
3. Students under 18 can join organized walks and runs. Any Meadowmount outing on County Route 10 will require a safety vest for every 2 to 5 students.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

For students aged 13 and older:

Students are housed according to age and gender. Each room has a regular-sized twin bed, pillow, hangers, dresser, desk or table and a chair. Most room assignments are for a single room. Double rooms are awarded by request, upon availability. Students assigned to a double room are also assigned a practice cabin.

DORMITORIES AND COTTAGES

Age 13 to 17 Girls
Annex
Casals
Cottage
Main House

Age 13 to 17 Boys
Frankenthaller
Piatigorsky

Age 18+ Girls
Judson Cottage
Lilacs
Long

Age 18+ Boys
Paganini
Rabin

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING

For students age 12 and under, or older students wishing to live off-campus:

Students may also choose to live off-campus. It is necessary to have a car due to the lack of public transportation in the area. Practice is completed at your place of residence and not on campus. Off-campus students are responsible for their own meals.

Students under 13 are admitted only as an off-campus student, living with a parent or guardian in nearby rental housing. The parent supervises their child’s daily practice sessions. When on campus, minors must be chaperoned by a parent or guardian at all times. Students come to campus for lessons, chamber music coaching (if assigned), rehearsals, concerts, special events, and master classes.

See more information below in Accommodations, Restaurants, Recreation.

Questions: please contact admissions@meadowmount.org.

CLOTHING

During the summer, students may experience the extremes of an Adirondack Mountain summer with temperatures ranging from 35-100°F. Please plan clothing for hot and sunny days as well as cold and rainy days.

Casual clothes are worn except for concerts, which require students to wear suits/sport coats or dresses/dressy pants.

A sturdy pair of hiking boots or shoes with ankle support, wool socks, and rain jacket is recommended for anyone planning to participate in hikes. If you anticipate going for local runs or walks, please pack bright-colored, reflective clothing for high visibility.

ITEMS TO BRING:

• Regular, twin-size bed sheets and pillowcases, (1 pillow is provided)
• Blankets or sleeping bag
• Towels.
• Scale and Etude books
• Performance pieces and piano parts for pianists
• Metronome, tuner, and recording device
• Extra sets of strings
• Music stand
• Pencils and tape
• Stationery
• Alarm clock and flashlight
• Plastic drinking cup or mug and/or water bottle
• Toiletries & shower caddy
• Small reading light
• Extra pair of glasses or contacts
• Electrical power strip (NO extension cords)
• Hard-sided food storage containers with a secure lid for snacks.
• Medication
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Cash for snack on campus (note: there is no ATM on campus)
• Cell phone with charger
• iPad and/or laptop and power cord

OPTIONAL

• Tennis racket
• Books
• Board games, playing cards, chess set
• Rainy day project eg. knitting
• Day pack

ITEMS NOT TO BRING:

Meadowmount has simple accommodations that cannot handle the electrical load required by many appliances and electronics. Extension cords are not allowed. One surge protector/power strip is permitted. The following items will be confiscated and returned at the time of departure.

• Air Conditioners / Dehumidifiers
• Cooking equipment
• Coffee makers
• Water boilers
• Rice cookers
• Refrigerators
• Candles, matches, fireworks, incense
• Weapons of any kind (pocket knives, guns)
• Desktop computers
• Furniture
• Gym Equipment such as bar bells or treadmills (small hand weights allowed)
• Unregistered medication, supplements

LUGGAGE & PARCEL SHIPPING ADDRESS

Luggage and parcel deliveries will be accepted from one week prior to the program start date through its end, addressed as follows:

[Student Name]
Meadowmount School of Music
1424 County Route 10
Westport, NY 12993

OVERVIEW

Cell phone and electronic device use by students under the age of 18 is limited so as not to interfere with studies, practice, sleep, and campus life. However, cell phones are also a primary communication tool for sharing program updates, important notices, field trip sign ups, and staying touch with family and friends.

QUIET HOURS

The Meadowmount campus respects the following quiet hours. In addition to students not having access to cell phones and electronic devices, Meadowmount will limit communications during quiet hours. Any announcements during Quiet Hours time will be shared via Counselors and Resident Assistants.

Sunday to Saturday: 10:00 pm to 12:30 pm
Monday to Friday: 5:00 to 6:00 pm
During Concerts and Masterclass/Guest Artist Events

MEADOWMOUNT APP AND BULLETIN BOARD

The Meadowmount app shares an overview schedule, daily bulletins, important notices, photos, and contact information. The Meadowmount bulletin board shares studio and chamber music schedules.

WHAT HAPPENS TO PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING QUIET HOURS?

Students under 18 are asked to give their phones and electronic devices to their assigned Counselor. Counselors keep them together in a backpack in their dorm room or with them at concerts. If a student needs their phone to make an important call or send a time-sensitive message, Counselors will make sure they can have access to their phone.

HOW DO I REACH A STUDENT DURING QUIET HOURS? 

Please see ‘To Contact Students’

The Meadowmount School of Music is required to obtain a permit to operate from the New York State Department of Health. We are required to follow state regulations and are subject to their inspections. Questions regarding our Medical Policy may be directed to the New York State Department of Health, P.O. Box 389, Saranac NY 12983, USA.

MEDICAL POLICY

Upon arrival, students must check-in with the Heath Director/Head Nurse who reviews all health forms.

No on-campus or off-campus student will be registered without a fully completed health form including documentation of immunizations, if you have been immunized. A physical exam is not required.

In compliance with the New York State Department of Health, students under the age of 18 may not have medication of any kind in their room, on their person, hidden on campus or in the dormitory at any time; including prescription and non-prescription medication, vitamins, nutritional supplements, OTC pain relievers, sleeping aids, topical lotions, cough drops, lozenges, legal and illegal drugs or substances, etc. All must be given to the Health Director/Head Nurse during check-in time upon arrival.

MEDICATIONS

In compliance with the New York State Department of Health regulations, prescription and non-prescription medication of any kind may not be kept in the dormitories of students under the age of 18. This includes vitamins, nutritional supplements, OTC pain relievers, sleeping aids, topical lotions, cough drops, etc. This policy is strictly adhered to in order to comply with Department of Heath regulations.

Medications must be supplied in the original properly labeled pharmacy container and not expire before August 10, 2025. All other Nursing orders (i.e. cast care, dressing changes, heat/cold therapy, etc.) are to be listed below. Please note that our nurses cannot administer allergy shots.

Students are asked not to bring standard non-prescription OTC medications that are kept stocked in the Meadowmount infirmary. This list is included on the medical form.

If a parent needs to send medication to a student, it must be mailed directly to our Health Director. Be sure to label the package to Meadowmount Health Director and enclose the student’s name in the contents.

More information is available in the enrollment medical forms.

Further Health & Medical Info

Meadowmount accepts: M-1 Visa and current status F-1 Visa from other U.S. Institutions

Admitted International Students will be sent the I-20 Certificate. Your Letter of Invitation is your Meadowmount acceptance email.

After receipt of your I-20, you will need to pay the SEVIS Fee online for your M-1 visa, and call the American Consulate to make an appointment to apply for your visa.

Click Here for more information

Canadian Students:

Canadian Students do not need a Visa. You will need the I-20 and Letter of Invitation to present at the border along with other information that is required. (see below).

Click HERE for more information.

LUTHIER SERVICES

Meadowmount arranges for highly trained and skilled luthiers to be on campus each summer. Luthier work throughout the summer to provide minor repairs, instrument adjustments, and bow rehairs. Luthiers also set up a shop with strings and supplies and are able to provide most services and items that students might need during the summer. The cost of purchases and luthier services is invoices directly to students.

HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENT

The Adirondacks is a high humidity environment. Bowhair is extremely sensitive to humidity changes and will stretch or tighten dramatically as it moves from one climate to another. Bowhairs behave differently to the environment, and on occasion need to be redone within a few days of arrival to the Adirondacks. Students may want to have bows rehaired for high humidity prior to arrival.

CONCERTS

Family and friends are welcome to attend Meadowmount concerts throughout the summer. Please visit the Meadowmount Events page for information on upcoming performances on and off-campus.

VISITING CAMPUS

All visitors must sign in at the Main Office when visiting Meadowmount. Visitors are welcome to attend events open to the public but may not enter dormitory building after arrival day and may only enter teaching studios at the invitation of a faculty member or Main House when accompanied by a Meadowmount staff or faculty member.

TAKING A STUDENT OFF CAMPUS (Minor)

Students aged 17 and under must sign out in the office before leaving campus. Students must have a signed Visitor Permission/Release Form on file in the office to depart with anyone other than their parent. Visitors must show identification and be listed on the Visitor Permission/Release Form or the student may not depart our campus. These precautions are in place to ensure the safety of all our young students.

Students may leave campus after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, but must return and check-in with their Counselor by 4 p.m. on Sunday in order to attend the 5 p.m. concert on Sunday evening.

SECURING VALUABLES

The Meadowmount Office has a safe where students can bank money, passports, tickets, or other items of value in the office for safekeeping. There is no ATM on campus and students may wish to have cash for snacks and field trips. If you are sending your student with a envelope of cash for the summer, we recommend keeping this in the Meadowmount safe. Students can visit the office to request cash from the safe during office hours. The Main Office is staffed 7-days a week. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday and 8:00 am – 4:30 pm on Sunday.

BY PHONE

If you cannot reach your child directly, call the Meadowmount main number:
(518) 962-2400. 

The Main Office is staffed 7-days a week. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 8:00 am – 4:30 pm on Sunday.

Outside of office hours, the main number is forwarded to the on-call staff member. Please avoid calling overnight except when there is an urgent need.

BY MAIL

You may send letters or packages to students via USPS, FedEx, UPS, or another courier. Label letters or packages as follows:

Student Name
Meadowmount School of Music
1424 County Route 10
Westport, New York USA 12993

ACCOMMODATIONS

Elizabethtown
The Deer’s Head Inn (518) 873-6514
The Halfway House (917) 741-9039
Namaste Inn (518) 873-2332
Old Mill B&B (518) 873-2294
Park Motor Inn (518) 873-2233

Westport
Barber Homestead Park (518) 962-8989
DaCy Meadow Farm (518) 524-4241
Hilltop Motel (518) 962-4401
The Inn In Westport (518) 335-1966
Westport Lakeside Motel (518) 962-4501

Essex
The Cupola House (518) 963-7494
Essex Inn (518)-963-4400
Champlain Vistas B&B (518) 963-8029

Lewis
Magic Pines Camp Grounds (518) 873 2288

Websites with Several Local Listings
Adirondack “By Owner”
Visit Adirondacks
Airbnb
VRBO

RESTAURANTS

Elizabethtown
St. D’s Pizzeria and Deli (518) 873-9288
The Deer’s Head Inn (518) 873-6514
The Halfway House (518) 873-2198

Westport
DaCy Meadow Farm (518) 524-4241
Portside at the Westport Marina (518) 962-4899
JAMBS on Main (518) 637-8921
Westport Yacht Club (518) 962-8777
Mountain Dog Restaurant & Pub (518) 962 2901
Winton’s 1898 Tavern (518) 962 4470
Cafe Trigo (518) 302-1828
The Knock – Adirondack Speakeasy

Lewis
Denton’s Bear Necessities (518) 873-1101

Wadhams
Dogwood Bread Company (518) 962-2280

Keene
The ADK Cafe and Market 518 576 9111
Baxter Mountain Tavern (518) 576-9990
Cedar Run Bakery and Market (518) 576-9929

Willsboro
Turtle Island Café (518) 963-7417
The Old Orchard Place 518 837 2323
Willsboro Diner 518 963 8399
Ethel’s Dew Drop Inn

Essex
Essex Ice Cream Cafe (917) 848-5000
Essex Inn (518) 963-4400
Old Dock House and Marina (518) 963-4232
Pink Pig Cafe (518) 962 8833
Barn Door Tavern (802) 222 6110

RECREATION

The Adirondack Region offers hiking, swimming, sightseeing, music, plays, museums, shopping, golfing, bicycling, and more. Campus is an hour’s travel via car (and ferry) to Burlington, Vermont; 45 minutes to Lake Placid; and 90 minutes to Montreal, Canada.

TRAVEL

Lake Champlain Ferries
Burlington International Airport
Plattsburgh Airport
Amtrak Adirondack Train
Amtrak Westport Train Station

MORE INFORMATION

Lake Champlain Region
Visit Adirondacks
I LOVE NY
Essex County
Elizabethtown/Lewis Chamber of Commerce
Westport Chamber of Commerce
The Town of Elizabethtown
The Town of Lewis
Elizabethtown Community Hospital

LOCAL TRIPS

During the week, Meadowmount arranges trips to town and brief outings. These include:

Elizabethtown – Trips to E-town are appreciated by students for access to the grocery store, drugstore, ATM, Stewarts pizza and ice cream,

Westport – Trips to Westport are appreciated by students for access to JAMBS on Main, the Westport Library, bookstores, and views of Lake Champlain.

Lonely Hill Trail – This is the closest and shortest hike from Meadowmount and begins and ends at Amish farm roadside stalls.

Art Farm Trail – This is a gorgeous farm trail / sculpture walk. A short outing close to campus.

South Boquet Mountain Trail – This 2-hour outing from campus includes a 45-minute climb to the top of South Boquet Mountain and ends with beautiful views of Lake Champlain.

FIELD TRIPS

Longer weekend trips include:

Church – There are regular trips on Sunday morning to Westport Bible Church and St. Philip of Jesus in Willsboro.

Mt. Inez – This is Meadowmount’s mountain. This hike will be offered several times during the summer and takes approximately 3.5 hours from start to finish.

Keene Farmers Market – A Sunday morning outing to the Keene Farmers Market is a Meadowmount favorite outing.

Plattsburgh Mall – Movies and shopping mall outing.

Lake Placid Main Street

Middlebury, VT

Vergennes, VT

Shelburne Farms, VT

Six Flags Great Escape – Each summer, this is the largest field trip organized by Meadowmount.

Farm visits

Adirondacks hikes