Summer Academy Frequently Asked Questions
Festival Arrivals and Departures:
ARRIVALS: Sunday June 1st, 2025. Check-in is from 10am to 5pm.
DEPARTURES: before 10am on Monday June 23rd, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE: Arrivals beyond 5pm on check-in days are not allowed except in the case of travel delays.
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How many students will be at ENCORE, and what is the age range? The Summer Academy will have 74 students total ranging in age from 13 to 26.
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Do I have to bring my own music stand? YES! All students MUST bring their own folding music stand. Here are a couple of recommendations:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/163816510285?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9OjknrSBTwm&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=SMS
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/km-ruka-ultra-lightweight-music-stand/423196000001000?cntry=US&cur=USD&cntry=US&cur=USD&utm_content=423196000001000--K%26M+Ruka+Ultra+Lightweight+Music+Stand+Black&source=3WWRWXGS&gclid=CjwKCAjw_YShBhAiEiwAMomsECI9NNwZT3_a9SXS3IZBIgP9b_8c2a0-dg2vdfP3Qqk6J9yUuLfhuBoCXP0QAvD_BwE
https://www.zzounds.com/item--HRCBS030BB?siid=307794&gclid=CjwKCAjw_YShBhAiEiwAMomsEG0bGzo9sOn3sm5Yf5vV59ddw0omKcewA09MhDQdsd9lt7CXGJm7FRoCzXQQAvD_BwE
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Will I have a roommate? Yes! Roommate assignments and introductions will be sent out a few weeks prior to arrival.
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Is there air conditioning in the dorms? There is no air conditioning in the Gilmour Academy dormitory. Students should bring electric fans to keep their rooms cool.
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What kind of security does the Gilmour Academy dorm have? The outside doors to the dorm complex are always locked and require an electronic keycard. The individual dorm rooms have locks; students are encouraged to keep their rooms locked while they are out. Students will also get swipe cards to access other the buildings we use on campus. For more information see “Keys” in the Student Handbook.
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What should I bring? A detailed packing list is available in the Student Handbook.
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What should I bring for performance attire? Performance attire information is available in the Student Handbook.
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I’m flying into the Cleveland airport - how can I get to campus? Students flying into the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport must arrange a Lyft/Uber/taxi ride from the airport. It is recommended that underage students use a rideshare app designed for underage children, such as Uber for Teens, to be transported to/from the airport.
Due to the rules and limitations at the CLE Hopkins Airport, ENCORE is unable to provide transportation to/from the airport. There will be ENCORE personnel at the airport to escort underage students to/from their airport transport.
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Can I keep a car on campus? Only students over the age of 18 may bring a car. Parking is available for ENCORE students by the Residence Hall. You will need to obtain a parking pass on the first day of your program and display the pass on your dashboard. There is no fee for the pass, but without it you could be ticketed or towed.
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How can I send or receive mail while at ENCORE? **Please do not send mail before June 1, 2025. All student mail should be sent to:
(Student Name), c/o ENCORE Chamber Music
Residence Hall
Gilmour Academy
34001 Cedar Road
Gates Mills, Ohio 44040
Mail will be sorted and brought to the Residence Hall Monday-Friday. No mail will be delivered to the Residence Hall on weekends.
Students can give outgoing mail to Jessy (Head of Operations). Please bring your own stamps and packaging to the festival.
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What are the meals like? What if I have special dietary needs? Daily meals in the Gilmour cafeteria will include a variety of items, including an entrée, a vegetarian option, and a salad bar. Students with dietary restrictions should include their dietary information in their medical forms. Please note that while AVI Foodsystems provides a variety of options, ENCORE recommends for students with severe dietary restrictions to bring some extra food and snacks. Refrigerated storage space is available in the Residence Hall kitchen for students with special dietary or medical needs.
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How can I access the Internet? Wireless internet is available throughout Gilmour’s campus. Internet login will be given during orientation.
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Can I have a refrigerator and/or microwave in my dorm room? No.
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Are there laundry facilities? Laundry facilities are available in the basement of the Residence Hall. Use of machines is free. You will need to bring detergent.
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Is there anything I may not have in my room? Alcohol, drugs, and drug paraphernalia are not permitted in the Residence Hall at any time, even if you are 21 years of age or older. ENCORE policy is immediate dismissal, without refund, for possessing or drinking alcoholic beverages on campus or while participating in ENCORE-sponsored off-campus trips (even if student is 21 years of age or above), selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor, or using drugs at any time. John Carroll University and ENCORE policies also prohibit weapons, candles, incense, and cooking devices or other high-wattage electrical devices.
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Is there housekeeping in the dormitory? Housekeeping is provided for common areas and dormitory bathrooms. ENCORE students are responsible for cleaning and taking care of their dorm rooms, and rooms will be inspected weekly by John Carroll staff and Resident Assistants. Please keep in mind that ENCORE students are guests on the campuses, and as such should treat their living space with care and respect!
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Are religious services available? Gilmour hosts Catholic religious services in Our Lady Chapel that ENCORE students may choose to attend. Students may also choose to attend other religious services in the area, although ENCORE is not able to provide transportation. Under-18 students who choose to attend an off-campus religious service will need to have permission from a parent or guardian.
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Where do students practice? Students may practice in the Administration Building and in their dormitory rooms. A detailed map of practice rooms will be provided at orientation.
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When do I practice during the Academy? Morning practice time is built into the Academy schedule.
Students are also expected to find practice time outside what’s scheduled.
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How do students get information they need while at the festival? The daily schedule will be posted at the ENCORE desk in the Administration building. Students should make a habit of coming by the desk several times a day to stay up to date on scheduling changes. ENCORE staff also may make mealtime announcements and send emails with scheduling information. Any dorm-related information, including phone numbers of on-duty Resident Assistants, will be posted on the whiteboard in the Residence Hall.
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Is smoking or vaping allowed on campus? No. Gilmour Academy and ENCORE Chamber Music Institute prohibit all tobacco use on the Gilmour Academy campus: no smoking, no vaping or e-cigarettes, no tobacco chewing anywhere on campus, inside or outside. ENCORE’s full policy on alcohol, smoking and drugs is available in the Student Handbook.
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May parents visit during the festival? May relatives or friends visit? Parents are welcome to visit campus and attend concerts; however tickets must be reserved online! If parents plan to take their child off-campus, they must sign their child out according to ENCORE rules.
Any other visitors are free to visit campus, but are not allowed into the dormitory. Likewise, parents must give specific permission in advance if other visitors wish to take an under-18 student off-campus.
No visitors, including parents and siblings, are allowed to stay overnight in the Residence Hall.
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What if I need medical care? ENCORE students can visit nurses’ offices during business hours on weekdays. Students needing medical care outside of business hours will be taken to Hillcrest Hospital, located less than 5 minutes away by car from the Gilmour campus.
Every student has to submit a Medical Information & Treatment Authorization form before coming to ENCORE, as medical personnel need permission from parent or legal guardian before giving treatment to students who are under 18 years of age. In case of medical emergency, ENCORE needs basic information about each student’s medical history and any medications currently being taken. Students will manage their own medications unless the student and/or parent requests that Resident staff monitors medication for them.
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How safe is the campus? The Gilmour campus is a reasonably safe and secluded place. ENCORE does ask, however, that all students walk around campus in pairs or groups, especially at night. If leaving campus, students of all ages must sign out with the ENCORE staff with their destination and time of leaving/returning. Students under the age of 18 must receive permission from a parent or guardian to leave campus. Please see the Off Campus policy in the Student Handbook for more details about going off campus as a minor.
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How much spending money will I need? The amount students spend while at ENCORE can vary widely depending on each students’ interest in off-campus excursions. There will be very little opportunity to purchase anything on campus as all meals are provided in the Gilmour cafeteria; however, spending money can be useful for purchases at nearby stores or the occasional night out at local restaurants. Students should note that Gilmour does NOT have an ATM on campus.
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What if my instrument needs repair? There are several shops around the Cleveland area that can assist with instrument repairs. ENCORE staff can coordinate transportation to the shop for students who need instrument repairs during the festival.
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Will I get to perform at ENCORE? All ENCORE students will get a chance to perform on the final weekend of concerts. Family and friends are encouraged to attend these performances. Dates and times for the concerts are listed on the ENCORE events site; seat reservations are required.
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Can I get a recording of my performance? Yes! Student concerts are recorded, and ENCORE makes recordings available to participants in the fall.
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Can I record my lessons? Students may record lessons with the consent of their teacher. Students may also record their own portion of the masterclasses (with the consent of all participants), but may not record parts of the class where other students are performing.