Course Descriptions 

Preparatory Certificate Program  

The Certificate Program is the comprehensive program of study for highly motivated students. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program are expected to develop excellence in musicianship studies and expand their knowledge of musical literature while developing an optimum performance level. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program receive tuition discounts for classes.

Certificate Levels

Beginning
Successful performance in yearly Jury examination
Complete Musicianship II
Community Outreach Project

Intermediate
Successful performance in yearly Jury examination
Complete Musicianship III
Community Outreach Project

Advanced
Successful performance in yearly Jury examination
Complete Musicianship IV
Complete one year of ensemble, piano duo or chamber music
Present a half or full recital
Community Outreach Project

Young Artist
Successful performance in yearly Jury examination
Complete Musicianship V
Complete two years of ensemble, piano duo or chamber music
Present a full recital
Community Outreach Project



Musicianship/Composition

The musicianship program is designed to cultivate aural perception, a strong inner pulse and musical literacy. The elements of music are mastered through performance, aural dictation and score analysis. Classes are designed for highly motivated music students who are expected to spend part of their daily practice time in preparation.

Growth in musicianship skills is a highly individual process, and students progress through the curriculum at their own pace. All musicianship students are required to take departmental examinations once a semester. Student Reports are issued in June and consultations with the teacher are available as needed. Accelerated progress through the curriculum is also available by placement exam.

Beginning
Level 1 - Theory & Ear Training: Sight singing and conducting using diatonic melodies in simple and compound time. Students study all major and minor keys, the intervals in those keys, chord progressions, rhythmic design and phrasing.
Level 2 - Theory & Ear Training: Sight singing using skips in all diatonic triads, syncopation, harmonic cycles of thirds and fifths, dominant 7th and V7 chords, non-tonal use of seconds, fourths and fifths; binary and ternary form.

Intermediate
Level 3 - Theory & Ear Training: Sight singing material to include seventh chords, rhythmic patterns of two against three, inversions of triads and dominant seventh chords, non-tonal use of thirds, theme & variations and rondo form.
Level 4 - Theory & Ear Training: Sight singing with secondary dominants and chromatic non-harmonic tones, small subdivisions of the beat, changing meters, inversions of dominant 7th chords, secondary dominants, modulation, non-tonal use of sixths, sonata and concerto form.

Advanced
Level 5 - Theory & Ear Training: Sight singing with modes and remote modulation in 20th century idioms, polyrhythms, quintuplets, meters with unequal beats, tempo modulation, leading tone seventh chords, augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan chords, all intervals in a non-tonal context, fugue.

Electives*
Composition Seminar: Open to all students enrolled in the Theory & Ear Training series with permission of the department chair. Composition assignments are performed and discussed in class. Formal performances are presented in recital.

* Electives are offered in Music History, Analysis, and Counterpoint. Offerings vary from year to year.



Ensembles

Participation in ensembles cultivates collaborative skills that are invaluable to a young musician's education. Students work closely with faculty in performance preparation and rehearsal techniques. Auditions are required for placement in an ensemble. Placement is based on ability, level of commitment to serious study and enrollment for the entire academic year (32 weeks).

Intermediate and Advanced Chamber Music
Intermediate & Advanced Chamber Music string ensembles emphasize quartet and trio repertoire, string and wind trios through sextets, two-piano literature, guitar ensemble and Baroque ensemble. Priority is given to students enrolled for private lessons at the Preparatory Division; pre-formed groups are welcome.

Chamber Orchestra
September 2007 marks the debut of an exciting new ensemble at the Prep: an advanced, strings-only chamber orchestra. Led by noted Bay Area violist and conductor Benjamin Simon, the Prep CO will explore the wonderful string repertoire from Albinoni to Zorn, with some Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Bartok thrown in for good measure. Larger than a string quartet, smaller than a symphony orchestra, our chamber orchestra will provide an ideal setting for honing ensemble skills, exploring great compositions, and making music with your friends and colleagues. The term will culminate in a public concert.



Early Childhood

Early childhood classes provide developmentally appropriate training for children ages four through nine. The classes' goals are to cultivate each child's appreciation of music and to give parents the tools to create a musically rich home environment. Because of the progressive nature of the early childhood curriculum, students are required to commit to enrollment for the entire academic year.

Dalcroze-Eurhythmics
Eurhythmics taps into the natural desire for movement all children possess. Students are furnished with not just an understanding of music and knowledge of its written language, but a thorough sense and feeling for it. Among other benefits, the study of music through movement cultivates inner hearing and gives children a holistic understanding of musical elements such as pulse, meter, rhythm pattern, phrasing and form. This grounding in the basic language of music leads to a distinct advantage when learning a musical instrument.

First Steps at the Keyboard
An Introductory Piano Course for Children Ages 5 to 8
First Steps at the Keyboard is a two year program designed to transition students from Early Childhood classes into private lessons within the Preparatory Division. Students learn the basics of piano technique, sight-reading and piano literature in weekly group classes; activities include duets, mini-recitals and music games that sharpen their reading skills. Students share their music with family and friends in three class recitals every year. After two years, First Steps students are evaluated for private piano lessons with the Conservatory's Preparatory Division faculty. Students should be able to commit to two full years in the First Steps program.



Private Lessons
Individual instruction is offered on all orchestral instruments as well as piano, organ, harpsichord, harp, guitar and voice. The student's age and level of advancement determine the length of the lesson. Audition required.

Performance Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to perform in regularly scheduled recitals held in the Osher Salon, the Recital Hall and the 400-seat Concert Hall. Off-campus and showcase performances are also arranged for students throughout the year.