Students seeking the Young Artist's diploma in classical music will be required to declare an emphasis, ie: piano, instrumental, vocal, etc. The following will be required of students who are working toward the diploma:

1. Develop and maintain a repertoire to be determined by the student, mentor and private teacher.
2. Be able to play the scales and arpeggios in all keys at tempos that are acceptable for their chosen disciplines.
3. Must be proficient in 2 different technical regimens to be determined by the student, mentor and private teacher.
4. Must be proficient sightreaders.
5. Listen to classical music for at least 5 hours per week.
6. Must always be prepared to perform at the weekly performance classes and monthly master classes. There will also be a requirement to perform monthly.
7. Participate in school ensembles and music festivals.
8. Do a final recording project.
9. Prepare full recital programs in the junior and senior years.
10. Practice at least 10 hours per week.

Classical Music Studies Courses:

Performance Class

This class is essentially one hour each day of supervised practice. Students will learn good practice habits, improving efficiency, and thereby increasing the rate of progression. Instructors will give students specific tasks to complete each day and follow up on their progress. In this intensive, focused practice setting students will learn how much more they can accomplish when they practice efficiently. Classical repertoire, some small ensemble work, accompanying, sight reading and performance etiquette will be covered in this course. There will be weekly playing classes where the students will perform for each other and monthly master classes where students will be instructed by guest artists and clinicians.

Core Musicianship

This class will have a performance driven curriculum. Emphasis in each of the 3 areas of study in this course will be placed on practical application as it applies to enhancing the student's abilities as a performer and increasing their proficiency on their chosen instruments.

1. Ear Training
2. Music Theory
3. History of Music

Sight-Reading Ensembles

Students will be assigned to a small ensemble that will sight read daily for at least 15 minutes.

Listening Lab