Opportunities
The Preparatory Piano Department offers piano lessons both in an individual format and a group format. The individual lesson offers one-on-one attention from our highly qualified faculty. This is the most conducive and advantageous to accelerated learning. You are able to interact with your professor and gain crucial feedback as to your progress and implementation of ideas and techniques. The group class is ideal for the student who is learning piano as a secondary instrument and as foundational support for the understanding of music theory.
The Preparatory Brass Department offers individual lessons in trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba. All of these lessons are taught by our world-class faculty on an individual basis allowing youth to receive valuable information and invaluable feedback regarding your implementation of that instruction.
The Preparatory Voice Department offers individual lessons on two levels, taught by our world-class faculty. The first level is for the young student who loves music and has a desire to sing. These lessons guide you in Solfege and sight-singing exercises, teaching you how to read music and hear the music first. These lessons also allow you to sing simple songs and to grow in appreciation of music.
The second level is for the older student and more serious minded voice student who is learning to develop your voice as an instrument. These lessons guide you in technique and musicality.
The Preparatory Woodwind Department offers individual lessons in flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon. All of these lessons are taught by our esteemed faculty on an individual basis, allowing you to receive valuable information and invaluable feedback regarding your implementation of that instruction.
The Preparatory String Department offers individual lessons in harp, violin, viola, cello and string bass. All of these lessons are taught by our world-class faculty on an individual basis, allowing you to receive valuable information and invaluable feedback regarding your implementation of that instruction. In conjunction with the individual lesson is an ensemble class that allows you the opportunity to play lesson lesson repertoire in a group setting, learning such skills as listening, following a conductor and rhythmic stability.
Application Process
Curriculum
Individual Lessons
(34 lessons per academic year)
Individual Lessons are presently available on all of the following instruments: violin, viola, cello and piano. Other instruments may be taught as interest or availability arises. You may take lessons of one half-hour duration or one-hour duration per week. This time frame includes instrument set-up and discussion with your teacher.
Group Lessons
Group lessons are available in piano; enrollment is based on availability. Group lessons last approximately 45 minutes.
Music Theory:
(15 classes per semester)
Music Theory is the study of the language and basics of musical construction. It is the foundation for the understanding of all musical ideas and perceptions. Classes in music theory is offered for all levels: beginning, intermediate and advanced. You will take a simple test to determine initial placement in the classes. Enrollment will be kept relatively small to facilitate quality instruction.
Music History and Appreciation:
(15 classes per semester)
This class covers all periods of music history including an emphasis on sacred music. A strong emphasis is placed on listening to music and how to appreciate its value in daily life.
Solfege & Ear-training:
(15 classes per semester)
Solfege is the ability to look at music and sing it by sight with no help from an accompanying instrument. You will learn to associate verbal syllables with each pitch that you sing. Ear training is the ability to hear someone else perform music and recreate it either in performance or in the manuscript. This class is offered for repeated participation as this is a skill class that needs repetition for continued development.
Piccolo Stringendo:
(15 classes per semester)
Piccolo Stringendo is a beginning-level ensemble. The typical student player will have one month and two years playing experience. The focus for this class is on reading music, playing together with others and following a conductor. Repertoire includes basic, scales and early classics.
Musica Stringendo:
(15 classes per semester)
Musica Stringendo is an intermediate-level ensemble. The typical player will have three to six years of playing experience. The focus for this class is on learning harmonic and rhythmically separate parts, playing together as an ensemble, following a conductor, and learning musical styles and musicality.
Artista Stringendo:
(15 classes per semester)
Musica Stringendo is an intermediate-level ensemble. The typical player will have three to six years of playing experience. The focus for this class is on learning harmonic and rhythmically separate parts, playing together as an ensemble, following a conductor, and learning musical styles and musicality.
Virtuosi Stringendo:
(15 classes per semester)
This is an advanced-level ensemble. The typical player has reached a high level of technical proficiency in his or her instrument. Acceptance into this ensemble is by audition. The focus of this class is to learn to make music at an extremely high level both technically and musically.
Guidelines
- All classes begin and end at their scheduled time. Please plan to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your class, and to depart no later than 15 minutes after your class has ended.
- Parents, relatives and friends are invited to quietly observe classes during regularly scheduled observation periods (the last week of the month). At all other times, observation is at the discretion of the teacher. If you have family or visitors waiting for you in the lobby, please inform them of our school’s policies.