Music Programs : Conservatory

The CCM Conservatory program maintains the highest artistic standards, providing children with not only the proven CCM music literacy training curriculum, but also with exceptional performance, touring, recording, and broadcast opportunities and experiences.

Unlike many choirs, CCM emphasizes the development of musical literacy skills such as sight-singing, improvisation, dictation, and music theory. Students develop as a “whole musician,” becoming excellent performers who understand the music they perform. While this may seem like a lot to expect from young children, CCM teachers make learning fun by using singing games and beautiful music to prepare students for new music elements. As a result, they pick up on even the most challenging skills with ease and confidence.

The CCM methodology, taught by specially trained and highly qualified music educators, is a play-based and whole-brain multi-hybrid of the highly acclaimed Kodály approach to music education, modified by Gordon Music Learning Theory, and further extended with adaptations by CCM’s founder, Dr. Betty Bertaux. Children who complete the CCM Conservatory program have the equivalent of at least a first year college level of music education. Students are well trained in healthy vocal technique, musicianship, theory, sight singing, harmony, dictation, rhythm, solfá in major and minor keys and selected modes, introductory counterpoint, composition, and conducting.

Transcripts are provided. A placement audition/interview is required for children 5½ and up to join.

Beginner Classes/Treble Choir meet twice weekly for a total of 2½ hours per week. Beginners learn the fundamentals of music through play in a structured setting. Students learn solfá (do, re, mi, etc.), rhythm concepts, music notation and sight reading, and perform choral music, in unison and 2 parts, twice yearly.

Intermediate Classes/Lyric Choir meet twice weekly for a total of 4 hours per week, enjoying progressively more challenging musical games and activities that reinforce their advancing music skills. Students sing high-quality choral selections in two and three part harmony, allowing students to perform music that will enrich and strengthen their music reading abilities and understanding. The Lyric Choir performs 3-4 concerts per year.

Solfá Classes/Concert Choir meet twice weekly for a total of 4½ hours per week. Students have additional opportunities to perform, tour, record and broadcast throughout the community, the country and the world. The repertoire they perform spans the early periods of music to the present and includes a variety of styles and cultures. Students continue their education during four years of Solfá Classes, where they are introduced to advanced levels of music theory, harmony, dictation, and sight reading, as well as introductory counterpoint, composition and conducting.

The Chamber Singers meet once per week for 90 minutes. Chamber Singers may be taken with or without advanced music classes.

Advanced Musicianship, Composition, AP Music, and private voice lessons are also available based on demand and space available.

Because we pack as much learning and fun in the time we have with our students during classes and rehearsals, completing the interview and the registration process early ensures that your child doesn't miss a moment of the Training Season. Schedule an interview for your child today.