Preparatory Center for the Arts
About
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Marla Meissner, director |
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OPEN HOUSE DAYS 2013-2014 - TBA
ABOUT
The Preparatory Center for the Arts is a division of the John J. Cali School of Music in the College of the Arts at Montclair State University. It was established in 1976 to provide musical education and training for all age groups. Through the years the Prep Center has served as a supplemental musical enrichment for some and a comprehensive musical training ground for others who have gone on to pursue successful careers in music. The Preparatory Center for the Arts is dedicated to providing students of all ages, backgrounds and levels of ability with the experience of learning music in an encouraging environment intended to enhance creative growth and promote a life-long understanding of and appreciation for the musical arts. The Prep Center provides one of the most unique learning environments in Northern New Jersey, offering students and their families the opportunity to share music experiences with professional artist-teachers, energetic-enthusiastic music majors as well as each other in a state-of-the-art facility on the Montclair State University campus.
WHAT DOES THE PREP CENTER AT MSU OFFER?
- Highly skilled artist-teachers who enjoy MUSIC & TEACHING
- Private Lessons on ALL instruments, voice & composition
- SUZUKI Violin, Viola, Cello & Piano
- Dalcroze Music Classes for Ages 4 – 8
- Theory & Musicianship Classes for Age 9 and up
- Chamber Ensemble Program
- Orchestral Ensemble Program
- Chamber Winds Ensemble
- Broadway Kids! (Music Theater Song Workshop) for Ages 8 – 12
- Music Safari (A world-music appreciation class) for Ages 12 and up
- Recitals and Concerts at the end of each semester
WHO CAN ATTEND THE PREP CENTER?
- Children age 3 through Adult
- Absolute beginners through advanced players are WELCOME!
WHERE DO THE ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE?
- At the John J. Cali School of Music in the newly renovated and expanded state-of-the-art Chapin Hall on the MSU campus.
WHEN DO THE ACTIVITIES HAPPEN?
- Private lessons can be scheduled for Saturdays or weekdays
- All Classes and Ensembles meet on Saturdays
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AND BE A PART OUR MUSICAL COMMUNITY!
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
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Students age 4 through adult interested in instrumental, vocal, or composition study can take private lessons ranging in duration from 15-minutes for the very young to 60-minutes for the more advanced student. Lessons can be scheduled on Saturdays and weekdays. Students taking private lessons at the Preparatory Center have the opportunity to perform on an end-of-the-semester recital in the beautiful state-of-the-art Leshowitz Recital Hall. |
SUZUKI MUSIC STUDY
The Suzuki Method evolved from Dr. Suzuki's approach in teaching the violin. The musical accomplishments of the child are a result of a team effort involving parent, child and teacher. Note reading is integrated as the readiness becomes apparent while the student develops imitative, listening and memory skills. A positive atmosphere is essential to the success of the method. A parent must accompany the child to the lessons, and serves as a surrogate teacher at home supervising practice.
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Suzuki String Study: (violin, viola, cello) The Preparatory Center has one of the largest and most comprehensive Suzuki Strings programs in Northern NJ. Suzuki string study consists of two components – a private lesson and book class. The private lesson provides the student with individual attention, introduction and reinforcement of technique, and repertoire. The Book Class consists of students studying at the same book level performing pieces from the book together with a class instructor. The Book Class experience serves as a motivating reinforcement of the private lesson as well as social interaction with other music students working on the same material. The Preparatory Center offers book class levels Pre-Twinkle through Book 10. All book class students have the opportunity to perform in a ‘Playdown’ concert at the end of each semester.
Suzuki Piano
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Suzuki oriented piano lessons can be arranged. |
DALCROZE MUSIC CLASSES (for ages 4 – 8)
Based on the philosophy and the music education approach by Emile Jacques-Dalcroze, a prominent Swiss musician and educator, Dalcroze music classes offer 3 essential components:
- Eurhythmics: The experience of physically feeling the various aspects and expressive qualities of music through movement
- Ear-training: The experience of singing with pitch syllables, scale numbers, or letters to develop a keener sense of hearing
- Improvisation: The opportunity to express immediate musical ideas through movement, the voice, xylophone, or other instruments
Dalcroze Music Classes provide a comprehensive approach to music skills, music literacy and music theory in which children explore musical concepts through rhythm games, creative movement, songs, stories, and improvisation in an age appropriate manner.
THEORY CLASSES (for ages 9 and up)
The theory class curriculum is designed as a comprehensive sequential foundation for the musician. Students are exposed to the fundamental principles and practices of music construction. Through reading, analysis, composing, and progressive refinement of aural skills, students are given a broad understanding of music in a fun-to-learn environment!
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE PROGRAM
The Chamber Ensemble Program is open to students of all levels. Chamber music groups are small ensembles with mixed instruments usually consisting of three to four performers per group. The chamber ensemble experience is a wonderful way to improve intonation, rhythm reading, musical expression and nuance. Chamber Ensemble students meet as a group once a week with their chamber coach. The coach provides guidance for performance addressing musical issues such as articulation, dynamics, phrasing, balance of sound, interpretation and more.
ORCHESTRAL ENSEMBLES
The Preparatory Center for the Arts offers four orchestras designed to suite a wide variety of students’ needs. The Prep Center’s orchestral program is the only pre-college program in Northern New Jersey to blend an exceptional artistic environment and side-by-side rehearsal/performance experiences with talented collegiate mentors from the Cali School of Music. Students who already participate in a school program or another youth orchestra will benefit and further enhance the dimension of their music learning and experience in this unique setting. Please see the current Catalog for audition information.
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CADET STRINGS
Cadet Strings is a beginning string orchestra experience for students up to Suzuki Book 3 or the equivalent. The ensemble encourages note and rhythm reading in a fun dynamic environment!
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The umbrella orchestra of some fifty pre-college, college and continuing education musicians, the Montclair State University Youth Orchestra performs unarranged standards of the orchestral repertoire, from Baroque through contemporary. The ensemble is open to intermediate and advanced strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Recent performances included Haydn’s ‘London’ Symphony, lively collaborations with the Suzuki Strings as well as visiting artists. The 2012 - 2013 season promises to be especially exciting! In addition to the end of the semester performances, this season will include a side-by-side concert with the Susquehanna University Symphony Orchestra, a special winter outreach concert at First Cerebral Palsy of NJ, and master-classes with prominent NYC musicians as well as artistic faculty from the Cali School of music!
JUNIOR ORCHESTRA
Comprised of Junior Members as well as Full Members age 14 and under, Junior Orchestra performs moderately advanced works each semester.
CHAMBER SINFONIA
The Chamber Sinfonia is an advanced chamber orchestra for exceptional string players. Recent performance highlights include Grieg’s Holberg Suite and Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings.
CHAMBER WINDS ENSEMBLE
This is a new large ensemble open to woodwind, brass and percussion players. Students have the opportunity to rehearse and perform pieces of various musical styles in a fun supportive environment.
BROADWAY KIDS! (MUSIC THEATER SONG WORKSHOP) For ages 8 - 12
Broadway Kids! is a musical theater song workshop. Students learn a wide variety of musical theater songs from traditional to contemporary style. Students have the opportunity to work on, not only vocal technique, breath control, projection and enunciation, but also explore song interpretation, some movement and acting aspects of musical theater singing.
MUSIC SAFARI (A WORLD-MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASS) For ages 12 and up
Students in the Music Safari class have the opportunity to virtually travel to other musical cultures of the world. During this class journey students explore and learn more about music and music traditions from South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and more! Students develop an appreciation of diverse musical cultures and understand music as a ‘universal language.’
RECITALS AND CONCERTS
Studio recitals are held at the end of each semester in the beautiful state-of-the-art Leshowitz Recital Hall. Students are encouraged to perform on a recital and share what they accomplished during the semester. Family and Friends are welcome to all of the Preparatory Center recitals and concerts!
