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String Program

Download the 2009-2010 Preparatory School Brochure

Director of String Preparatory Division, MaryBeth Schotting

The Carnegie Mellon String Preparatory School offers a comprehensive program for students ages 6-18 years of age. Students may enroll in private lessons for violin, viola, cello, and double bass. We offer a full curriculum of classes including Group Classes, Eurhythmics, Music Theory, Composition and Chamber Music. Each year is comprised of three semesters, Fall, Spring & Summer, with recitals ending the Fall and Spring semesters.

In the summer, string students are encouraged to attend the Carnegie Mellon Summer String Workshop. The Summer String Workshop, sponsored by the CMU String Preparatory School, is a 5-day program which focuses on bringing string students from the greater Pittsburgh area together for an inspiring week of solo and ensemble playing.

Beginning String Program: (approximately a 3 year program)
The Beginning String Program is a comprehensive program for beginning string students ages 6-8 years old. Private lessons are taught on Saturdays or weekdays.

The program includes:
• 30 or 45 minute private lesson each week
• Group Class
• Eurhythmics, Musicianship, or Theory
• Performance in student recitals

An interview with MaryBeth Schotting is required for admittance into the String Preparatory Program. Call the Music Preparatory Office to arrange an interview: 412.268.3667.

Private String Instruction:
Students sign up for a weekly private lesson. Lesson duration is based upon student's level of experience. Private lessons are taught on Saturdays or weekdays.

In addition to a weekly lesson, students are encouraged to take music classes offered at the Carnegie Mellon campus on Saturdays: Group Classes for violin, viola, or cello, Eurhythmics, Musicianship, Theory, Composition, or Chamber Music. These classes help to develop ensemble playing, listening skills, rhythmic and tonal dictation, theoretical knowledge and structural and compositional techniques.

Group classes are fundamental to developing student’s proficiency at ensemble playing and note reading, rhythm, counting, and sight reading. We highly recommended elementary level students enroll in the weekly class. Group classes are based upon student enrollment.

Please note that depending upon your registration, these classes may or may not be included in the published tuition.

An interview with MaryBeth Schotting is required for admittance into the String Preparatory Program. Call the Music Preparatory Office to arrange an interview: 412.268.3667.

Admission
Admission is determined by an audition or interview. To schedule an audition or interview, call 412 268 3667.

Registration
After admission, students must register at the start of each semester. Students may register for classes or private lessons after a semester begins only with the teacher’s permission.

Tuition
Tuition is due in full by the second week of classes. Fees for students who enroll after the first week of the semester may be pro-rated. We accept cash, check, or Master Card/Visa/American Expresss. See registration forms for detailed fee information.

Extra Lessons
Extra lessons may be arranged between the teacher and student. Fees will be pre-rated based on current tuition, payable to the Preparatory School Office.

Discounts
Siblings: When 3 or more siblings enroll for private lessons, a 5 percent discount is applied to the overall tuition. Multiple private lessons: When a student enrolls in both the strings and piano programs, a 15 percent discount is applied to the overall tuition.

Attendance
We expect students to attend all scheduled sessions. If a student misses a private lesson, the instructor is under no obligation to reschedule. The instructor will reschedule lessons missed due to instructor illness or professional engagements.

Location
Lessons and classes are conducted on the Carnegie Mellon University campus:
• Private lessons in the College of Fine Arts (CFA)
• Classes in CFA or Margaret Morrison Carnegie Hall (MM)

Recitals
The Preparatory String Division presents student recitals at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. Students are given the opportunity to perform with piano. We highly recommend students participate in the recitals. These performances help students develop as musicians, as well as give parents, faculty, and students’ peers the opportunity to hear the technical and musical growth each semester. Recitals are open to any student enrolled in private string lessons at the Preparatory School.