There are many rewards of music study: the discipline of learning an instrument, the delight of experiencing music through movement and song, the confidence gained from performance, and the friendships made through participation in ensembles.

The Music School’s nine-level curriculum provides a well-rounded musical education, including weekly lessons, regular evaluation, and frequent performance and ensemble opportunities. Taking part in all aspects of the curriculum helps a student perform more easily, broaden musical skills, and make new musical friends.

The individual instruction curriculum includes:

• An orientation session to discuss individual goals
• Weekly lessons tailored to meet those goals
• Regular evaluation through written reports and faculty panels
• Consultations with program staff on future directions
• Rehearsals and performances with professional accompanists
• Informal performance workshops (available weekly)
• Student recitals (more than 80 a year)
• Community performance opportunities
• Master classes
• A certificate program
• Classes in performance

Instruction is offered in the following; an effort will be made to find teachers of other instruments if there is a sufficient demand:

Getting Started

New students are introduced to the Music School through an individual orientation with the appropriate department chair. At that time, students learn about the Music School's philosophy and special offerings and share their goals and expectations. After this discussion, the department chair recommends a teacher and schedules a lesson time.

Please use the links below to directly contact any of these Music School department chairs via email:

• Folk Music Department
• Jazz Department
• Music Therapy Department
• Percussion Department
• Piano Department
• Strings Department
• Suzuki Violin Program
• Voice Department
• Woodwinds & Brass Department

Charting Progress

Faculty members, department chairs, the director of education, and the School's president, work together closely to monitor each student's progress. Communication between students, parents, and teachers is ongoing and includes annual progress reports. Parents are welcome to visit lessons by arrangement with the teacher.

Student progress in performance, sight-reading, and technique is measured during evaluation weeks, organized by department, when students perform in a relaxed workshop atmosphere for a panel of faculty. That panel's observations are shared with the student and teacher and progress along the nine-level curriculum is noted

Asking for Help

The department chair, director of education, and Music School president are available to consult with any student about lessons, progress, ensemble choices, and even college or career plans. Because of the many layers of the individual instruction curriculum, each of these professionals has regular opportunities to get to know each student musically and to be able to offer informed advice.

Accompanying & Recording Services

Professional accompaniment is always provided for student performances and workshops. Professional recording for audition requirements for colleges and summer programs also may be arranged; the Music School has a recording studio.

Sharing Successes

Performing frequently for others in a friendly, informal atmosphere removes many of the fears associated with performance. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities, although performance in public is always a decision made by a student and teacher.

Performance Opportunities

• Workshops, scheduled weekly by age group, encourage ease in performance, develop a confident stage presence, broaden exposure to many styles and instruments, and build a camaraderie among participants. To ensure informality, workshops are limited to 10 students and the director of education.
• Student recitals occur frequently, providing both musicians and audience an informal, enjoyable performance experience of limited length. Family and friends are encouraged to attend
• The annual Performathon in March is a special public marathon of music; more than 200 students take turns performing to raise funds for the Music School's Financial Aid Fund.
• A focus on contemporary music each spring features performances by students and faculty members. It includes new music composed by or for Music School students.
• Community performances by students take place at retirement communities, public schools, hospitals, and other sites across the state.
• Department workshops bring together students and faculty members in sessions that draw on faculty expertise in ensemble playing, improvisation, musical nuance, effective communication through music, and other areas.
• Performance classes allow intermediate and advanced players to perform works in progress while more deeply probing the nuances of the art of performance. Classes explore issues of stage presence, anxiety, memorization, projection, communication, and impact.