Preparatory Music is a community school for young musicians, located on the beautiful campus of Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. Prep Music offers private instruction on ten instruments: violin, viola, cello, harp, guitar, piano, flute, oboe, recorder, drums, and voice. In addition, youth orchestras, group string and piano classes are offered, as well as numerous concerts and large musical events.
The mission of the preparatory music department is to develop the musical potential in young people by creating a nurturing environment where students, teachers and parents together foster a life-long appreciation of music.
Piano Classes
Holy Names University Prep Music
Piano Ensemble
Using a 9-piano and a 5-piano labs, the beginning, intermediate and advanced piano students engage in an intensive 14-week ensemble program to study multiple-piano repertoire.
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Piano Divertiti
For more advanced Piano players, this intensive duet/duo piano ensemble class will meet for six weeks and perform in an Ensemble concert at the end of each semester.
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Poco Vivo Piano
In an engaging social atmosphere with peers, beginning-level piano students will enjoy refining Suzuki piano repertoire and learning other musical skills and concepts together.
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Allegro con Brio Piano
This piano group class provides a beginning ensemble experience for students who are at an early-intermediate piano level.
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Holy Names University Prep Music
Suzuki Prep to Twinkle Music
The Suzuki music and movement classes will familiarize parents and children with Suzuki Book 1 repertoire through singing, dancing, movement, percussion, and listening.
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Sound Thinking: Kodály Theory/Musicianship Classes for Children
Designed for children ages 5-7 years old, including beginning string and piano students. Based in the renowned Kodály approach, classes foster a deep understanding and love of musicianship in partnership with instrumental studies. Through the voice, mind, ear and body, young musicians will develop holistic musicianship skills including aural skills and fluency in note-reading and
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Sing, Play, Move!
These classes offer a nurturing environment for caregivers and babies to foster a love of music and internalize musical concepts in a fun and completely age-appropriate way.
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Private lessons
Private music lessons provide one-on-one attention, so teachers can focus on an individual student’s needs.
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Preludio I & II
Suzuki Violin repertoire and technique will be emphasized, along with theory, note-reading, and ensemble playing skills.
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Divisi String Orchestra
A beginning level ensemble for violinists, violists and cellists with no required prior ensemble experience.
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Da Capo Youth Orchestra
Designed for the intermediate-level string player to provide a stimulating, high quality ensemble experience with instruction in orchestral technique and ensemble playing.
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Chamber Music Intensive
For more advanced string players, this intensive will meet for six weeks. Chamber music (string quartet, trio) offers the opportunity for solo playing while also requiring listening/sensitivity to other group members.
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Adult Musicianship and Sight Reading
Preparatory Music at Holy Names University, in partnership with The Kodaly Center, presents: Sight Reading and Musicianship Classes in the Kodaly Method A transformative approach to ‘thinking in sound’ Holistic, experiential technique for all levels: beginner to intermediate and advanced.
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