The Preparatory Theory Program is designed to challenge the highly motivated music student. Students are made aware of how musicianship training and theoretical understanding facilitate and enrich instrumental study.
Classes are fast-paced, intensive, and resemble vocal ensemble rehearsals.
Students are made to feel responsible to their classmates as well as to the instructor and are encouraged to spend part of their daily practice time working on sight-singing and rhythm reading. Sight-singing and written skills are tested at the end of each semester. Written evaluations of students include a progress report in mid-January and a final evaluation at year end. Students are introduced to the piano keyboard and develop proficiency at singing back simple note patterns and folk songs. Students are introduced to the basic elements of music reading, including time signatures, note and rest values, key signatures, and note names in treble clef.