The Brigham Young University Hawaii Youth Conservatory began in 2006 as a joint venture between the Department of Fine Arts and the Center for Instructional Technology & Outreach (CITO) to offer instruction in piano and violin to members of the local La’ie community. The conservatory also provides practical teaching opportunities for students majoring in music on campus.
“Having the conservatory makes it possible for the piano majors to augment their classroom experience with practical opportunities by observing and assisting experienced teachers, and by offering private instruction to young students,” said Scott McCarrey, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Associate Professor of Music.
McCarrey and his student assistant, Priya Ramachandram, a senior from Malaysia, majoring in piano pedagogy, supervise the Youth Music Conservatory. “My favorite thing about the piano conservatory is getting to know a lot of children,” said Ramachandram.
Last year she participated in a Yamaha internship in her home country, where she had the opportunity to observe children, ages 3 to 12, and their parents working together to learn piano. “It’s interesting to see how children that young were interested in learning music,” said Ramachandram. (watch video clip )
According to McCarrey, traditional music instruction has tended to focus on the playing of “pieces,” neglecting musical skills such as playing by ear or harmonizing melodies.
The Youth Music Conservatory offers elementary through high-school age students the opportunity to learn some of these “neglected” skills through weekly private lessons as well as separate group theory classes.
In private 30-minute weekly piano lessons, students are taught basic technique through the Keyboard Gymnastics Program, an achievement-based curriculum that teaches pianists how to play folk tunes by ear, perform five-finger patterns, scales, arpeggios, cadences and chords in every key.
Violinists are taught using the Suzuki approach, which requires regular parental attendance at the lessons.
“Group theory class provides a two-fold advantage,” said McCarrey. “Piano or violin study need not be a lonely activity, and the cost is lower per student than if the same material were covered in a private session.”
Piano and violin students are grouped together according to age and the results of a written entrance exam, McCarrey said. Through games and workbook activities, the students learn skills such as: how to recognize key signatures, construct chords, how to analyze form, and the basics of Italian and German language as they apply to music. In addition to group theory classes, during the fall and winter semesters, Music Mind Games classes are also taught by Alexia Luscher, violinist/special instructor in the BYU-Hawaii Music Department. (watch video clip )
Students who register for Music Conservatory classes must commit to attend both the private instruction and group theory class each week. They must also agree to practice one-half hour to an hour daily. For those families who do not have a piano, arrangements can be made through CITO to use a practice room piano.
Beginning lessons are offered for youth as well as adults (including college students) in sessions that run throughout the year in 12 week blocks during the fall and winter semesters, and 6 week blocks during spring and summer terms.
Although the summer term session is currently underway, fall semester classes will begin 10 September and run through 30 November 2007. For more information contact the CITO Community Programs coordinator at 808-293-3780.
