Students 'Chow Down' at Quartz Mountain

Another 'creature comfort' issue that students and parents tend to have questions about is regarding what the meals will be like while at Quartz Mountain. While snacks are available for purchase in the Institute Store each day and students are welcome to bring snacks (that have been tightly sealed against critters) with them, part of the $2500 scholarship that each student receives for their stay at Quartz Mountain includes three meals a day in the cafe.

Every year, OAI and Quartz Mountain staff make every effort possible to ensure that each student's dietary needs are met, including those needing additional options, such as vegetarians or students with special health needs. We strongly encourage students to review the menus, however, in order to supplement their diet while at camp with any special snacks they may want to bring. If you have a dietary restriction, please let us know as soon as possible, by calling the office at (405) 605-7500.

For the past few years, to help ease students' transitions to camp, we've posted the menus for the two week program online, so students and parents feel more "in the know" about what their experience will be like. This year is no exception! You'll find below a small sample of the Quartz Mountain menu, and can download the entire two week menu as a Word document here.

Saturday, June 9

*Opening Day Lunch- In ballroom for students/guests 

Hamburgers

Veggie Burgers

White and Wheat Buns

Lettuce, cheese slices, tomatoes, pickles, onion slices, ketchup, mustard, mayo, Dijon mustard

French fries

Vegetarian BBQ beans

Assorted cookies and brownies

Student Dinner

Breaded Chicken strips-with dipping sauces (Honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, ketchup)

Grilled Chicken Strips

Mac and Cheese

Potato Salad and Cole Slaw

Steamed Green Beans

Cornbread

Assorted Cakes

Sunday, June 10

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs

Waffles

Syrup

Sausage

Lunch

Deli Sandwich Bar to Include:

Assorted Breads and Wraps

Sliced Ham and Turkey, Roast Beef, Egg Salad Tuna or Chicken Salad

Sliced American and Swiss Cheeses

Tomatoes, Onions, Pickles, Lettuce, Mustard, Mayo, Dijon Mustard

Potato Chips

Potato Salad, Cole Slaw

Assorted Cookies

Dinner

Sliced turkey breast with gravy

Mashed potatoes

Vegetable Medley

Rolls and Butter

Fruit Cobbler

Quartz Mountain Student's 'Home Sweet Home' During OSAI

For two weeks this June, 271 students from around the state, as well as faculty, staff, and counselors will call Quartz Mountain home as they immerse themselves in the arts. Naturally, many students have had questions about just what to expect out of their living quarters while at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, so we're here to answer that question!

Students are assigned housing based on age and gender, with housing assignments designed to encourage interaction between the different disciplines (in other words, if you are an orchestra student, you won't be housed with just other orchestra students.) All OSAI housing facilities are air-conditioned, offering students a break from the extreme Oklahoma summer heat! In fact, housing facilities as well as many of the classrooms are so air-conditioned that we encourage students to dress in layers in case they get chilly!

Housing for boys and girls is separate. Female counselors and female students are housed in the lodge rooms that sleep three to four students. Male counselors and male students are housed in cabins, bunkhouses, and duplexes that sleep six to sixteen students.

Housing letters went out a few days ago, so students should be receiving information about their housing assignments and check-in times this week. Our Facebook is already filling with posts from students with their room assignments, hoping to connect early with their roommates. If you'd like to see if any of your roommates have posted, check out our Facebook here. Check-in times should also be included with housing letters, but here they are again:

Orchestra: 1:00 p.m.
Photo, Drawing, and Film: 1:30 p.m.
Choral Music and Acting: 2:00 p.m.
Ballet, Modern Dance, and Creative Writing: 2:30 p.m.

There will be an orientation for all students at 3:30 p.m. If you know that you will be later than the beginning of the orientation for any reason, please call the office at (405) 605-7500 as soon as possible and ask to speak to Emily or Stephanie.

Almost time for OSAI

We're only 2 1/2 weeks away from the start of the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, and the OAI offices are in full gear preparing for our biggest program of the year!

We've received a lot of questions around the office from accepted students regarding OSAI, so here compiled is a FAQ about our summer program. If you have any additional questions, feel free to leave them as a comment here, send them to us on Facebook, or email them to kbrown@oaiquartz.org and we will update this post with your answer!

Q: When will orchestra and chorus students be receiving their music?
A: Music Coordinator Justin Watson is busily scanning in and posting music on our website! If you have not already seen your music, we should have it up sometime this week!

Q: Will we find out our housing assignments before camp?
A: Yes! We sent out your housing letters yesterday, so you should be receiving a letter in the mail in the next few days about your housing assignments. If you haven't by the end of the week, feel free to call the office at (405) 605-7500.

Q: When will we find out about the supplies we need for our discipline?
A: We will have those lists up on our website within the next day or two!

Q: Is there a cut off for when alternates could still be accepted into their discipline?
A: There is always a chance (and usually happens once or twice every year) that an accepted student could cancel their attendance as late as the first day of camp, and therefore an alternate slot open up. We completely understand that many of you that were accepted as alternates had to go ahead and make other plans for your summer, but don't be too surprised if you receive a call about OSAI as late as June 9.

Q: Can we access online a list of which performances our family and friends are invited to attend?
A: Absolutely! You can access and download a list of performances here. We especially encourage family and friends to attend during ONSTAGE Weekend, Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23, although we strongly encourage everyone to arrange motel rooms as soon as possible, as they do fill up quickly!

Q: What will my typical day at OSAI be like?
A: Here's a basic schedule for most days at OSAI, so that you can plan accordingly:
7:00 - 8:00 a.m. - Optional Fitness Class
7:00 - 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast
8:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Morning Classes
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. - Optional Fitness Class
1:00 - 5:30 p.m. - Afternoon Classes
5:30  - 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Evening Performances/Presentations
9:15 - 10:00 p.m. - Return to Rooms
10:00 - 10:30 p.m. - Cabin/Room Meetings
11:00 p.m. - Lights Out

Q: What should I bring with me to camp?
A: We highly recommend that you bring the following items with you to camp:
1. A copy of the Student Handbook (available online here)
2. A flashlight with working batteries
3. Any additional snacks you'd like (tightly sealed against critters!)
4. You must bring 10 sheets of personal stationary or note cards with envelopes and seven $.45 stamps for writing thank-you letters to donors
5. Male students should bring a footlocker or inexpensive plastic tub.
6. Spending money to purchase between-meal drinks and snacks, items from the Institute store (such as t-shirts and books) and to pay for laundry service and other miscellaneous items.
7. Enough clothing for at least 7 - 14 days, as well as possibly including: bathrobe, swimsuit, beach towel, closed-toe shoes for hiking, hat, raincoat, and jacket. Comfortable shoes are a must. Many students choose to bring dressier clothing for performances and special events. Students should have their name sewn or marked in all items of clothing and accessories. Keep in mind that it may be hot outside, but all Quartz Mountain facilities are well air-conditioned, so you should layer. Students wishing to send out laundry (at their own expense) on the second Monday of OSAI should bring an indelibly marked laundry bag.
8. Also recommended: sunglasses, bug spray, sunscreen, alarm clock, backpack, games, cards, and camera. (Bath towels, bed linens, and pillows are provided)

Q: Is there any kind of dress code implemented during OSAI?

A: Because of the temperatures that can get very high at Quartz Mountain in June, the dress code is fairly casual (shorts and tshirts.) However, while the outside is extremely hot, often the classrooms are air coditioned almost to the point of being cold, so we encourage everyone to dress in layers. In addition, many students choose to bring dressier clothing for performance and visitors nights. 

Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute FAQs

Who can apply?

• You must be enrolled in an Oklahoma public school, private school, or homeschool program. 
• To audition for this year's program, you must be at least 15 years old by September 1, 2012. (i.e. It's okay if you're 14 during the Summer Institute, but you must turn 15 by September 1, 2012 to apply.) Graduating seniors up to age 19 are also eligible.
• OSAI is an intense and challenging program. Applicants should be motivated and serious about their art form.

Can I apply for more than one art form?

• Yes. You can apply for up to four art forms/ disciplines. 
• If you are talented in more than one area, consider applying for more than one discipline. It will increase your chances of being accepted to OSAI.
• When you apply for OSAI, you will rank your disciplines in order of preference. If your audition score qualifies you for more than one discipline, your ranking will determine which discipline you will study at OSAI. 
• NEW in 2012 -- we have lowered the cost to apply for multiple discplines! The non-refundable application fee is $20 for one discipline, $35 for two disciplines, $45 for three disciplines, or $50 for four disciplines.