The aim of Longy's Young Performers Program is to give talented young musicians ages 8-18 a comprehensive musical training and performance experience. Founded in 1977 by eminent violinist Roman Totenberg, the Young Performers Program has attracted serious young musicians from all over New England . Young Performers have appeared as soloists with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, the Merrimack Valley , Lowell , and Worcester Philharmonic
orchestras, and the Hartford Symphony, and have won many prestigious young artist competitions. Many have continued their studies at prominent music
conservatories and schools.
The Young Performers Program also offers gifted singers from their early teens through their high school years an opportunity to expand their musical knowledge of vocal repertory through solo and ensemble performance.
In 2005, the Young Performers Certificate Program was revamped to feature an innovative music curriculum. Rooted in a longstanding tradition of musical excellence, this three-level program offers a comprehensive, sequential musical education. First, great care is taken to assign an appropriate studio instructor at Longy. The program is a combination of required and elective courses and ensembles flexible enough to fit the needs and interests of each student, while fulfilling Longy's commitment to provide the best in musical training.
Our distinguished and dedicated faculty members have established a curriculum that combines a unique blend of creative offerings in Composition, Early Music, Jazz Ensembles, Performance Hour, Performance Workshop for Pianists, Creative Music Theory, Viola for Violinists, and Dalcroze Eurhythmics.
Admission to Young Performers Program Auditions held in September and June This program provides superb musical training and performing experience, and prepares students for a lifetime of involvement in music and the arts. Admission is by application and audition, and there is an audition fee of $25, which covers the instrumental audition and all ensemble auditions and placements.
For program details, please contact the Dean at or 617.876.0956 x632.
For information about auditions and an application, please contact Denise Carter at or at 617.876.0956 x650.
Young Performers INSTRUMENTAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM The Instrumental Program is a three-level, multiyear program, offering a choice of two tracks of study at the Third-Level Young Performers Honors Certificate or the Senior Certificate. The following pages describe the typical weekly program, range of elective courses, and the expectations for each level. For all levels: Over the course of the program, students are expected to satisfactorily complete a year-end repertoire jury and mid-year technical proficiency jury (scales, etudes, and sight-reading.)
At each level, the certificate will be awarded upon completion of all requirements.
Electives currently available for fulfilling
instrumental certificate requirements:
Orchestra (by audition)
Chorus
Chamber music/instrumental ensemble or vocal ensemble (by audition)
In case of scheduling conflicts of required courses, changes to the program can be made at the discretion of the Dean of Preparatory and Continuing Studies.
Level I Young Performers
Preparatory Certificate
Fee:
$2,100/semester
($1,930 with 45-minute private lesson) Course: PY001
This level is intended for students ages 8 and above who have been studying their instrument for at least one year and demonstrate an appropriate level of ability as shown through an audition. At least one full year of study at Preparatory level is required to complete this level.
Students must complete three required courses. In addition, during the course of study a student may have the opportunity to take an optional course at the discretion of the administration and by recommendation of private instrumental instructor. Weekly program includes:
Private instrumental lesson (45 or 60 minutes)
Musicianship class (may be creative theory, composition, or Dalcroze class as appropriate)
Chorus
Optional: Large or small ensemble, including piano duo (by audition)
Expectations: In addition to annual juries, students are required to give at least three solo performances per year at Longy in a variety of recital venues available to prep students, and to complete at least Level 2 of Creative Music Theory and ear training.
Level II Young Performers
Junior Certificate
Fee: $2,550/semester Course: PY002
This level is intended for students ages 11 and above. Entrance requirement: Successful completion of the Young Performers Preparatory Certificate or by instrumental audition and theory placement test.
At least one full year of study at the Junior Level is required to complete this level. Students must complete four required courses and at least one elective. Weekly program includes:
Private instrumental lesson (60 minutes)
Musicianship class (may be creative theory, composition)
Chorus
Chamber music/instrumental ensemble or orchestra
Electives: (see listing on p. 29) Expectations: In addition to annual juries, students are required to give at least four solo performances per year at Longy in a variety of recital venues available to prep students, and to complete at least Level 5 of Creative Music Theory and ear training.
Level III This level is intended for high-school age students. Longy offers two tracks at this level: the Young Performers Senior Certificate and the Young Performers Honors Certificate.
Young Performers Senior Certificate
Fee: $2,700/semester Course: PY003-S Entrance requirement: Successful completion of Young Performers Junior Certificate, or by audition with theory placement test. The Young Performers Senior Certificate is an excellent credential for future collegiate study. At least two consecutive years of study at Longy are required to complete this level. Students must complete four required courses, at least one elective, and a special project. Weekly program includes:
Private instrumental lesson (60 minutes)
Advanced Musicianship class
Chamber music/instrumental ensemble
Performance Hour (required for at least two years; may subsequently be replaced by a second elective)
Electives: (see listing on p. 29) Special Project: Students must attend, and subsequently write a review of, four concerts at Longy at which the student is not him/herself a performer. Expectations: In addition to successful completion of annual juries, students are required to give at least four solo performances per year at Longy in a variety of recital venues available to prep students. Students at this level are expected to demonstrate a high level of performance and musicianship, and to have completed the curriculum designed for this level.
Young Performers Honors Certificate
Fee: $2,800/semester Course: PY003-H Admission to this program is by juried audition. The Honors program is designed for a select group of the most advanced and highly motivated instrumentalists who are interested in intensive preprofessional training. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the commitment and skills required to complete the program. The Young Performers Honors Certificate is a superior credential for continuing in professional musical studies or collegiate study.
At least three consecutive years of study at Longy are required. Students must complete four required courses, at least two electives, and a special project. Weekly program includes:
Private instrumental lesson (60 minutes)
Advanced Musicianship class
Chamber music/instrumental ensemble
Performance Hour (required for at least
two years)
Electives: (see listing on p. 29) Special Project: Students must attend, and subsequently write a review of, four concerts at Longy at which the student is not him/herself a performer. Expectations: In addition to successful completion of annual juries, students are required to give at least four solo performances per year at Longy in a variety of recital venues available to prep students, and to complete the curriculum designed for this level.
Students at this level are expected to demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency and artistic command.
Young Performers VOCAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The Young Performers Certificate Program for Singers is a multiyear program which offers a comprehensive musical education for singers from 13 or 14 to 18 years of age. It consists of two levels. The program is tailored to fit the needs and interests of individual students, develop young singers' skills, and broaden their musical experience.
Level II Young Performers
Junior Certificate
Fee:
$2,550/semester
($2,400 with 45-minute private lesson) Course: PY012
The suggested age for entering this level is 13 or 14 and above. Entrance requirement: Students must pass a vocal audition and take a music theory placement exam. At least one full year of study at the Junior level is required to complete this level. Students must complete four required courses and one elective. Weekly program includes:
Private vocal lesson (45 or 60 minutes)
Musicianship class
Vocal Performance Workshop
Chorus
Electives:
Piano class
Instrumental class study
Additional Musicianship class
Instrumental ensembles
Jazz-Rock Ensemble (age 14+)
Expectations: In addition to successful completion of annual juries, students are required to perform at least four solo pieces per year in a variety of Preparatory assemblies, studio recitals, and performance workshops.
Level III This level is recommended for students ages
15 and above who have completed the Junior Certificate at Longy or who successfully pass a vocal audition and take a theory placement test.
Longy offers two tracks at this level: the Young Performers Senior Certificate and the Young Performers Honors Certificate.
Young Performers Senior Certificate
Fee: $2,700/semester Course: PY013-S
Designed for highly motivated students who are interested in preprofessional training, the Young Performers Senior Certificate is an excellent creden-tial for continuing in professional musical studies.
At least three consecutive years of study at Longy are required. Students must complete four required courses, at least two electives, and a special project. Weekly program includes:
Private lesson (45 or 60 minutes)
Advanced Musicianship class
Performance Workshop
Small vocal chamber ensemble
Electives:
Chorus
Chamber music with instrumental ensemble (by audition)
Composition
Music History
Instrumental class
Performance Hour
Jazz-Rock Ensemble
Special Project: Students must attend, and subsequently write a review of, four concerts at Longy or some other venue in the Boston area at which the student is not him/herself a performer. Expectations: In addition to successful completion of
annual juries , students are required to perform at least four solo pieces per year in a variety of recital venues available to prep students,
and to demonstrate a consistently satisfactory level of vocal performance and knowledge
of musicianship.
Young Performers Honors Certificate
Fee: $2,800/semester Course: PY013-H Admission to this program is by juried audition. The Honors level is designed for a select group of the most advanced and highly motivated singers who are interested in intensive preprofessional training. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the commitment and skills required to complete the program. The Young Performers Honors Certificate is a superior credential for continuing in professional musical studies or collegiate study.
At least three consecutive years of study at Longy are required. Students must complete four required courses, at least two electives, and a special project. Weekly program includes:
Private vocal lesson (60 minutes)
Performance Workshop (required for at least two years; may subsequently be replaced by a second elective)
Advanced Musicianship class
Small vocal chamber ensemble
Electives:
Chorus
Chamber music with instrumental ensemble
Composition
Music History
Instrumental class
Performance Hour
Jazz-Rock Ensemble
Special Project: Students must attend, and subsequently write a review of, four concerts at Longy or some other venue in the Boston area at which the student is not him/herself a performer. Expectations: In addition to satisfactory completion of the annual juries, students are required to perform at least four solo pieces per year at Longy in a variety of Preparatory assemblies, Musical Evenings, studio and departmental recitals, and solo recitals, and to complete the Musicianship program designed for this level.
Students at this level are expected to demonstrate a high level of vocal performance and sound knowledge of musicianship.
