Offerings

Private lessons, Group Piano for Elementary (ages 5-7), Group Piano For Beginners (ages 8-12), Piano Ensemble, Performance Class, Formal Recitals, Achievement Program

What you can expect from us

Welcome to the Piano Department at City Music Center. Your children will learn from outstanding teachers in the best learning environment - a University setting. It is our philosophy that excellent music training should be available to every child who wishes it and to that end we accept every child who applies. We test young beginners for readiness and we audition all entering students for placement purposes. We believe that a good match between student and teacher is very important to the learning process.

What we expect from you

In carrying out our program of excellence, we expect students to practice daily as well as complete any written homework given at the lesson. We expect students to take the appropriate musicianship classes and to demonstrate progress. Musicianship and studio faculty are in regular communication about student progress and problems. We suggest parental attendance at all private lessons, especially with young children; and daily supervision of home practicing. Finally, we suggest that each student or parent keep a practice journal.

The minimum time your child should practice each day at home:

4-8 years/30 minutes
9-12 years/45 minutes
13-18 years/60 minutes

Evaluation

At the end of each academic year, all piano students must play for a panel composed of members of the piano faculty. Each student will be expected to play the required material from memory with technical command and musicianship. Written evaluations and recommendations will be made. The grade level corresponds to the number of years the student has studied the piano. The student may be classified at a lower level than designated at the discretion of the instructor. The panel examination, or juries, will take place toward the end of the year. First year beginners or first year transfer students may be excused from juries.

Group Piano for Elementary (Ages 5-7) (& Primary Eurhythmics)

In a small and relaxed classroom setting, the 5-7 year old beginner will learn basic information: correct hand position, how to read notes on the staff and simple rhythmic patterns. At the end of 2 semesters, the student will graduate to a 30 minute private lesson. A parent must attend the lesson and support home practice.

Immediately following the class the child will attend the Primary Eurhythmics class. (included in tuition)

Group Piano for Beginners (Ages 8-12)

This is a new offering for the 2012-13 season. A description will be posted shortly.

Piano Ensemble

This course is designed for pianists who rarely have an opportunity to play in an ensemble and who would like to share music-making with their friends. Participants should be 11 to 18 years of age with a minimum of three years private instruction. Audition requirements: one solo piece of choice and sight-reading.

Elementary Level - Grades 1-4
Technique: All white keys major scales, one octave, hands together. All white keys major triads (solid and broken), one octave, hands separately.

Repertoire: One Baroque or Classical piece (example: Bach, Minuet in G). One piece from another period (example: Kabalevsky, Clown).

Intermediate Level - Grades 5-8
Technique: All white keys major and minor scales, two octaves, hands together. All white keys major and minor arpeggios, two octaves, hands together.

Repertoire: One Baroque or Classical piece (example: Bach, Invention in F). One piece from another period (example: Greig, Nocturne).

Advanced Level - Grades 9-12
Technique: All scales and arpeggios (major, minor, white, black keys), two octaves, hands together.

Repertoire: One Baroque or Classical piece (example: Mozart, Sonata in G). One piece from another period (example: Chopin Waltz in b minor).

Preparatory Level
Because an entering student may need time to accomplish the technique and repertoire requirements expected at the specific CMC grade levels, faculty may recommend that new students be placed at a Preparatory Level.

Performance Class

The weekly Performance Class is part of the core curriculum. The purpose of this class is to give students even more experience performing in public. We often hear "I played perfectly at home, but I don't know what happened on the stage." No matter how well the piece is prepared, the mind may play tricks during a performance. To avoid unfortunate mistakes and memory slips students must learn how to focus, direct their thinking process to artistic goals rather than the notes, and most importantly to project confidence. I always tell my students "Doubt and criticize every note when you practice, but be the greatest on stage.” You can't recreate the performance environment at home or even at your lessons because of the lack of an audience. This is why this class is irreplaceable for every performing student.

Formal Recitals

In addition to the weekly Performance Class, 3 formal recitals and 4 dedicated Suzuki Recitals are held during the year.

Achievement Program

City Music Center is proud to offer students the opportunity to participate in the Carnegie Hall and Royal Conservatory Achievement Program. This program is optional for all CMC students.

Please visit their websiteto learn more about the program.

Faculty

Natasha Snitkovsky, Chair
Dr. Mary Lynne Bennett
Inessa Beylin
Ron Bickel, Jazz
Dr. Taras Filenko
Igor Kraevsky
Edwarda Kremen
Israel Kremen
Aida Olarte
Kazumi Petinaux
Anoush Tchakarian