Last Day for Youth Conservatory Registration at Utah State University

The Youth Conservatory at Utah State University, a music study program for young people that focuses on piano, invites everyone to attend its open house registration, Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 6-8 p.m. in the lobby of the Kent Concert Hall in the Chase Fine Arts Center. This is the final registration date for fall study.

The YC has a new director this year.

 

“While we are sad to have lost Ralph van der Beek, who directed the YC for almost 10 years, we are excited about the upcoming year,” said new director Brooke Reynolds.

 

The conservatory has offered private piano lessons and group musicianship classes for students ages 4-18 since 1978.

 

“After losing professor van der Beek, we made several managerial changes,” said Reynolds. “Those changes also allowed us the perfect opportunity to make improvements in every area of the program.”

 

Reynolds said students familiar with the YC can look forward to old favorites like Halloween Carnival and Monster Concert, as well as new incentive programs for practicing, completing “technique” charts, and monthly recital participation.

 

Ben Salisbury, a Youth Conservatory student himself several years ago, takes over as YC program coordinator.

 

“With a new Web site almost completed, several new theory class instructors, and a new composition class for high-school-age students, the Youth Conservatory’s apparel is really modernizing, while still maintaining the ageless pedagogical standards set by the conservatory’s founder, professor Gary Amano,” Salisbury said.

 

Nearly 30 years ago, when the conservatory was founded, fewer than 30 students were enrolled. Now, the conservatory serves more than 300 young people from Cache Valley and surrounding areas in northern Utah and southern Idaho.

 

Most students come to USU’s campus once a week for an hour and a half of instruction. Students have a 30-minute private piano lesson and a 55-minute group musicianship class.

 

“The real secret of our program is the group class,” Salisbury said. “Having 55 minutes each week devoted to theory, ear training and music history allows students to attain a real understanding of how music works and, as a result, their progression is accelerated.”

 

The social interaction is also important.

 

“Meeting with other children in a group setting makes piano a lot more cool and fun,” said Reynolds. “Students see that mom really is right — they’re not the only kids who have to practice before they can go play.”

 

The Youth Conservatory offers classes for students of any ability, beginners through advanced-level students, at affordable prices and with convenient scheduling options.

 

“We offer something for anyone looking for piano lessons,” Reynolds said. “We have several enrollment options, monthly payment plan options starting at just $24 per month, and family discounts.”

 

Salisbury notes that with nearly 30 teachers, the YC can often schedule three or four siblings’ lessons at the same time, just like one-stop shopping, he said.

 

“It’s hard to beat the convenience or economy of the conservatory and, in my opinion, the fun and pedagogical soundness as well,” Reynolds said.

 

YC staff recommends the “Young Musicians” course for families with pre-school age children.

 

“Most children are not physically or developmentally prepared for private lessons at four or five, but that is the perfect time to teach them whole-body movement, feeling a beat and creative expression,” Reynolds said. “Our young musicians course incorporates foundational concepts that children need prior to beginning piano lessons, and is taught by Eva Wilczynski, a certified Orff-Schulwerk instructor with degrees from the Marie Curie University in Poland.”

 

Unlike the other Youth Conservatory classes, students do not need a piano in order to participate in the young musicians course.

 

Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 4, and registration can be completed by phone, mail or in person at the Aug. 29 registration. New students do not need to accompany parents to the registration, unless they have had previous music training. In that case, a short placement test is necessary for the child. For additional information, contact the YC at (435) 797-3018.

 

Contact: USU Youth Conservatory (435) 797-3018