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The Academy curriculum is designed to assure a total musical education and experience for all students. It provides the technical tools for a specific performing discipline through applied lessons, training in theory and musical literature, and an opportunity to hone acquired skills in solo and ensemble performance. It gives students at all levels a chance to fulfill their potential in balanced, age-appropriate programs.
Early Development
Children, ages 4-6, may be enrolled in a series of Early Development Classes. These classes provide a formal introduction to the basic elements of music in a stimulating, hands-on environment. Classes are kept small to insure personalized student-instructor interaction.Elementary
This program is for students age 6 and up who are just beginning their formal musical training. Students in this program, ages 5-7, are encouraged to participate in Preparatory Singers to enhance their learning in lessons and classroom work.
This program involves...
• Private lessons: 1/2 hour per week for 15 weeks
• Theory class: 3/4 hour class for 12 weeks or Preparatory Singers: 3/4 hour weekly rehearsal
• Performance/Appreciation class: 3/4 hour class 2 times per semester
Intermediate
This program is for students who have attained the knowledge and skills to move beyond the basic elementary level.
The program involves...
• Private lessons: 3/4 hour per week for 15 weeks
• Theory class: 1 hour class for 12 weeks
•Performance class: 1 hour class 4 times per semester
• Evaluation jury (optional) end of semester ten-minute hearing
Advanced
This program is for those students ready to commit to the challenges of a more intensive and demanding level of musical instruction.
The program involves...
• Private lessons: 1 hour per week for 15 weeks
• Theory class: 1 hour class for 12 weeks
• Performance class: 1 hour 6 times per semester
• Evaluation jury (advised) end of semester ten-minute hearingAdult
Open to adults at all levels of proficiency in music, the Adult Program is a beginning point for some, a continuation for others and for all an opportunity to grow in a community of serious learners. Knowing that scheduling for non-traditional students must be individualized, the teachers at the Academy work to accommodate such needs. The program involves...
• Private lessons, weekly one-hour lesson or as arranged
• Adult students are also encouraged to enroll in appropriate classes and to participate in performance classes.Evaluation juries, typically ten minutes in length, are conducted at the end of the spring semester. Although they are not mandatory, except for certificate students, juries are encouraged. Students come to their juries with a completed repertoire sheet covering their year's study and prepared to play representative scales, arpeggios and technical exercises, as well as two contrasting pieces. Though performance by memory is not required, it is desirable. Faculty members on the evaluation jury prepare constructive written comments, which become a part of the complete student record kept by the dean's office and each major teacher who, in turn, shares the comments with the student.Choral Program
This program introduces students from the age of 5 through high school to vocal techniques and choral repertoire. The goal of the program is to provide each student a learning and performance experience within the context of a choir. Students progress sequentially through the program with an emphasis placed on building skills for choral ensemble performance.
The three levels of the program are...
• Preparatory Singers - ages 6-8
• Academy Children's Choir - ages 8-13
• Academy Chorale - advancedOrchestral Program
The Pennsylvania Academy of Music offers two orchestras for students. This ensemble opportunity began with the formation of the Academy String Orchestra in 1997 to accommodate the needs of a growing student body in the string department. With continued growth of the department, in 2002 the String Orchestra was reformulated into two ensembles: the Sinfonia for intermediate players and the Philharmonia for advanced players.
The two levels of the program are...
• Sinfonia - ages up 14
• Philharmonia - advancedElective Classes
Would you like to develop a deeper appreciation and broader knowledge of music outside the realm of actual instrumental or vocal lessons? If so, you'll want to consider the many elective courses offered at the Academy which are open to both adults and children. There is no need for you to be enrolled in the Academy's complete educational package or in private lessons; each of these courses can be taken on its own by anyone who has an interest in the topic and meets course requirements, as described below. Information about specific class schedules and enrollment is available from the Academic Office by stopping by or calling 717-399-9733.
Elective class descriptions...Certificate
Designed primarily for high school students in grades 9-12, the Certificate Program in The Institute at the Pennsylvania Academy of Music is designed for exceptional, motivated students who have completed requirements of private instruction, theory classes, ensembles, and performances and who are considering the pursuit of careers in music. Completion of the Certificate Program requires two years. Typically students enter the Certificate Program in their junior year in high school; earlier admission is available with special permission. Minimum requirements for successful completion of the program are...
• Private lessons
• Theory class, as necessary to complete Theory IV requirements
• Certificate seminar performance class - each semester
• Music History class: one full year
• Sonata class: one full year
• Piano literature (required of Certificate pianists, only): one full year
• Participation in chamber music ensembles
• Participation in Philharmonia or Wind Ensemble, as appropriate
• Participation in master classes
• Student recital: either one full recital or two 1/2 recitalsChamber Music
This program is offered to advanced students, as a means of enriching their individual program of study by placing them in a small ensemble. Students are selected for the program through a nomination by their major teacher and a subsequent audition. Ensembles are formed at the beginning of each semester, based on compatible skill levels. A faculty coach mentors each ensemble. This program involves... • Meet with faculty coach 1 hour per week for rehearsal, coaching or masterclass.
