STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY
Community Music Program
PRE-COLLEGE DIVISION
Conservatory Training in a University Setting

Students study with the finest professional faculty in a conservatory setting with studio classes, chamber coachings, masterclasses, music theory and aural skills. Programs of study include chamber music, classical voice, composition, jazz improvisation,  computer/electronic music and harp.

Students will have an opportunity to take part in Phil Setzer of the Emerson String Quartet works with one of the string quartetsmasterclasses with Stony Brook Artists-in-Residence, including the Emerson String Quartet and work alongside world-renowned performers on the Stony Brook Faculty.

Chamber music and vocal instruction sessions consist of guided rehearsal and instruction on interpretation and style by the experienced Pre-College faculty artists.  Courses in Theory, Analysis, and Aural Skills supply the intellectual backbone that informs the excellent performance at the heart of the program. Additional electives are offered on a per-semester basis.

Students are grouped into two divisions depending on their age at the time of enrollment.  Division I is for students in grades 6-9, and Division II is for students grades 10-12.  For less than the cost of a weekly private lesson, young musicians have the chance to study in a conservatory environment at one of the world's best schools of music.


REGISTRATIONSingers in the advanced vocal program work on opera scenes with their coach.
1.  Download and complete the application.


2.  Mail to:
Community Music Program
3304 Staller Center
Stony Brook, NY  11794-5475

3.  You will be contacted to acknowledge receipt of the application and to schedule a placement audition.

TUITION AND FEES
Tuition is due in full by December 1, 2009.  You may pay by check, money order or credit card.

Application fee
(waived for returning students)
 		$25
 Division I (Grades 6-9)
  
 Full year tuition
 $1195
 Single Semester (Fall or Spring)
 $695
 Division II (Grades 10-12)
 Full year tuition
 $1595
 Single Semester (Fall or Spring)
 $895



AUDITION INFORMATION
Auditions will take place on Saturday, June 6 and Saturday, September 5.  Once applications are received you will be contacted to schedule the audition.

Each audition is 10 minutes long, and is observed by a committee of three people.The percussion ensemble performs in Staller Center Recital Hall

1) A movement or section of a solo piece.  This can be a recent NYSSMA solo or something that shows your current level of musical skill.  There are no guidelines for the piece you should select, but solos of NYSSMA levels 4-5 for Division I (6th-9th grade) and 5-6 for Division II (10th-12th grade) are appropriate.

2) Sight reading (provided by the audition committee)

3) 2-3 Scales selected from those provided on the audition form.
SCHEDULE
All classes meet for a full academic year (28 weeks, plus an added "Snow Day" in case the university is closed due to adverse weather conditions. Classes begin Saturday, September 26.


DAILY SCHEDULE

Each area of study (voice, jazz, composition, chamber music) follows its own class schedule.  A typical day begins at 10 or 11am and concludes at 2 or 3pm.  Elective courses will be offered on a per-semester basis.

A typical schedule for a Division I student:Young artists in the jazz improv program compose their own songs and learn to play by ear
 10:15 AM
  Class Piano
 11:00 AM
  Musicianship I
 11:30 AM
  Studio Performance Class
 12:15 PM
  Break
 12:30 PM
  Chamber Music
 1:30 PM
  Home

A typical schedule for a Division II student:
 10:00 AM
  Chamber Music
 11:15 AM
  Break
 11:30 AM
  Studio Performance Class
 12:15 PM
  Musicianship
 12:45 PM
  Break
 1:00 PM
  Theory
 1:45 PM
  Class Piano
 2:30 PM  Home



COURSES

Theory, Analysis, and Aural Skills courses supply the intellectual backbone that informs the excellent performance at the heart of the chamber music program. Students in the program will be well prepared for the most rigorous college, university, or conservatory programs. These two courses provide instruction in two essential areas of musical instruction: (1) Music theory includes the rudiments of musical notation and the study of such components of music as scales, keys, intervals, and harmony. Students apply this knowledge through compositional exercises and the study of music from various traditions, including classical, jazz, popular, and world music. (2) The aural skills aspect of the class engages students in practical musicianship, applying their theoretical knowledge to the listening experience. Students learn the important connection between sound and notation through drills in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation. Students also learn to sing at sight in four clefs.

Participation in a chamber music ensemble (small groups with one instrument or voice to a part.) Each session consists of guided rehearsal and instruction on interpretation and style by the experienced Pre-College faculty musicians. Students perform each semester in master classes conducted by Stony Brook University faculty, which has in recent years included the Emerson String Quartet, Colin Carr, Joe Carver, Tina Dahl, Daniel Gilbert, Gilbert Kalish, Timothy Long, Mitchell Stern, Ray Anderson, and others. An important part of the chamber music experience is the opportunity to perform for an audience during the year in the Recital Hall of the Staller Center for the Performing Arts.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Pre-College Concerto CompetitionConcerto Competition winner Kyle Foley performs with the University Orchestra
The annual concerto competition is open to all Pre-College Division students for any instrument or voice. The winner will perform with the University Orchestra in March on the Main Stage of the Staller Center for the annual Children’s Concert.  The concerto should be standard repertoire, and short works or a movement of a concerto should be approved by the director and the conductor well in advance. Auditions will be held in November.

Free tickets to Music Department and Staller Center events
Throughout the year students and their families have access to exclusive concerts and events held at the Staller Center.   This past year families were able to experience the Emerson String Quartet, Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, Stony Brook Opera and Faculty Recitals at no cost.



FAQ
  • How does tuition compare to similar programs? Chamber Music Coach Jonathan den Herder rehearsing with a piano trio
Pre-College programs in Manhattan cost nearly $10,000 per year before you factor in the time and cost of transportation each week.  As a not-for-profit institution, our program offers more experienced teachers and similar performance and academic programs at the lowest possible cost.
  • Do you have a youth orchestra or chamber orchestra?
Large ensembles, other than Children's Choir, are not offered through the Community Music Program.  We are more than happy to recommend some youth orchestra programs in the area. 
  • If I'm already enrolled in a youth orchestra, so why do I need chamber music? 
Orchestral performance is a specialized skill in itself, but chamber music, particularly for string players, gives performers the chance to be soloists but also have the interaction with other musicians which makes orchestra so much fun!
  • Do you have summer programs available?
Currently there are no summer music programs available at Stony Brook University, but we are currently developing a program for K-12 which will be in place by summer 2011.  Please contact us if you are interested in more information about these programs.
  • Do you offer private instruction as part of your program?
Private instruction is a requirement of the Pre-College Division, but is not offered directly through the program.  The instructors at Stony Brook are amongst the best in the world, and we offer a free matching service for students who are looking for private instruction or tutoring.

 Jazz coach Gabe Shuford working with students in the jazz improv program.
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