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Building a musical foundation...
The Instrumental and Vocal Department provides a comprehensive program that includes individual lessons, musicianship classes, playing and repertoire classes, ensemble experiences, and performance opportunities for beginning through advanced students. Through its integrated approach to music education, the program develops a responsiveness in students to the beauty of music and to the subtleties of artistic performance.
Individual instruction from beginning to advanced levels is offered in piano, strings, voice, woodwinds, guitar, and percussion. A student's weekly program consists of an individual lesson (30, 45, or 60 minutes) and a musicianship class. Weekly musicianship classes have been an integral part of the curriculum since the School's founding and support the musical development of each student. Additionally, Suzuki piano and string students take part in a group playing class, and advanced students enroll in a repertoire class. Ensembles such as chorus, orchestra, or chamber ensemble, are available at various levels of study. Intermediate and advanced high school students may elect to audition for the High School Certificate Program.
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Applying for Instrumental or Vocal Study
1. Attendance at an Information Session is a required first step in the application process for instrumental or vocal study, either individual or class instruction. At these parents-only events we provide a detailed introduction to our program and an opportunity for questions. You will also be able to submit an application that evening and schedule an interview. Priority will be given to students who interview in June.
Information Sessions for the 2010-2011 School Year
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
An RSVP is not necessary. If you have further questions, please contact the Instrumental and Vocal Department Coordinator at 212-369-1484, extension 26, or lessons@diller-quaile.org.
3. Schedule and attend an interview. More experienced students should play or sing one of their current pieces. A child new to study will have an opportunity to try an instrument, while together we assess readiness for individual study. At Diller-Quaile we emphasize finding the appropriate program for each student, from beginning to advanced players.
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Curriculum
Diller-Quaile's Instrumental and Vocal curriculum provides students with a sequenced learning experience. Tailored to the individual instrument or voice, the curriculum focuses on building technical skill as a foundation for expressive performance. Early study begins with short folk songs and progresses to the standard literature of each instrument.
Rooted in the teaching philosophy of the School's founders, the musicianship curriculum incorporates the approaches of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, Zoltán Kodály, and Carl Orff. Developed over decades, our curriculum is continually evolving, as our work is informed by current research in the fields of music education and instrument study.
Ensemble
Chamber ensembles, choruses, string and percussion ensembles, and orchestra provide an opportunity for students to participate in ensembles of many sizes and levels. Please see our ensembles page for more detail.
Secondary Instrument Study
We support and encourage students who wish to study a second instrument. Secondary instrument study does not require an additional musicianship class.
Accompaniment
String, voice, and woodwind students receive the additional support of a staff accompanist in their lessons throughout the year. The pianist who accompanies a student's lessons accompanies the student in Diller-Quaile concerts.
Performance
Performance is a core component of instrument study at Diller-Quaile, and there are varied opportunities at every level of study. Monthly Playing Parties for all ages and Performance Classes for teens afford students a chance to perform in an informal and supportive setting. Student Concerts are held at the end of each semester, and advanced high school students who demonstrate excellence in performance are invited to present a solo senior recital, drawing upon repertoire from the standard literature.
Assessment
Each semester lesson and musicianship teachers share written feedback with families about each student's work in lessons and classes. Reports provide an overview of the student's work and progress in each area of the instrument and musicianship curricula.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
These conferences, held in mid-February, provide parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss their child's progress, repertoire, performances, technique, reading, and other topics of interest.
Advisement
As a School, we understand and deeply value the importance of ongoing communication with families. Throughout registration and scheduling, administrators work with each family to tailor each student's schedule to his or her educational needs. As the year progresses, teachers and administrators assure that communication remains open and current, best serving the progress of each student.
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Tuition Rates 2009-2010 (30-week program)
| Two-part Program: Available for piano, voice, woodwinds, guitar, and percussion | |
| 30 minutes | $2,910 |
| 45 minutes | $3,355 |
| 60 minutes | $3,865 |
| Three-part Program: Available for all instruments | |
| 30 minutes | $3,305 |
| 45 minutes | $3,880 |
| 60 minutes | $4,185 |
| Secondary Instrument Study | |
| 30 minutes | $1,910 |
| 45 minutes | $2,580 |
| 60 minutes | $3,440 |
| Weekly Class (Guitar, Chorus, Percussion, or Chamber Ensemble) | $980 |