All instrumental, vocal and compositional areas can be accommodated at PGSA except organ, harp and unusual instruments such as bagpipes or hammered dulcimers. Students develop their own schedules for study. They receive one intensive private lesson in their applied area each week and divide other time among small ensemble experiences, individual practice and courses in music fundamentals, improvisation, ear training, theory, music history, music criticism, conducting, contemporary music and many other optional classes. Vocal music studies emphasize classical and operatic experiences. Percussion emphasizes non-mallet performance.

All instrumental, vocal and compositional areas can be accommodated at PGSA except organ, harp and unusual instruments such as bagpipes or hammered dulcimers. Students develop their own schedules for study. They receive one intensive private lesson in their applied area each week and divide other time among small ensemble experiences, individual practice and courses in music fundamentals, improvisation, ear training, theory, music history, music criticism, conducting, contemporary music and many other optional classes. Vocal music studies emphasize classical and operatic experiences. Percussion emphasizes non-mallet performance.

The program seeks well-trained musicians who are creative, adventuresome, mature, willing to explore new musical and artistic activities, and who are capable of self-direction. It is the faculty’s avowed intention to expose students to new ideas and experiences. Students are asked to keep an open mind, to experience everything, and then to take it home and digest it. It is important that faculty and staff be viewed as musicians who wish to share their artistic experience and expertise, not as supplanting teachers at home. The master teachers and adjunct faculty serve as guides, coaches, facilitators and sounding boards.

Applied Music Areas

Voice
All ranges. The curriculum emphasizes classic and operatic voice study. An applicant must demonstrate the ability to handle music of this level.

Composition
The applicant must be competitive in an applied music performance area in order to be accepted as a composer.

Instrumental

Piano

Strings
Violin, viola, cello, string bass

Guitar
Acoustic and electric, classical or jazz

Brass
French horn, trombone, trumpet, tuba

Woodwind
Saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon

Percussion
The emphasis is on drum set (non-mallet) percussion in the program, with occasional workshops on mallet instruments, including marimba

Instruments study not offered at the Governor’s School
Organ, harp, hammer dulcimers, bagpipes and other unusual, non-ensemble instruments.

The Program of Study

Private Lessons
Each student receives at least one weekly private lesson in his/her major music area.

Classes
Available classes generally include music theory and ear training, music history, conducting, composition, music analysis, instrument repair, reed making, jazz theory and improvisation, art song class, vocal diction, opera workshop, voice class for instrumental majors, piano workshop, electronic music and studio recording techniques, world music, music criticism and computer notation.

Required and Elective Courses
Students must attend classes and activities which directly support their major area of musical interests, such as art song classes for voice majors and jazz ensemble for brass majors. The department chair and the master teachers will assist students in developing a schedule of required classes.

Students must attend all scheduled lessons and rehearsals of ensembles to which they are assigned.

Students must attend all elective classes for which they register. The department chair and the master teachers will assist students in developing a schedule of other music courses in addition to those that directly support their major performance or composition studies. A student has control over the number to add to the schedule.

Ensemble Experience
Since many students have had opportunities to participate in large ensembles such as chorus, band and orchestra in the course of the school year, the PGSA music program concentrates on solo and small ensemble experiences. Typical ensemble activities include the range from duets to octets for various combinations of instruments and voices, madrigal ensembles, opera workshop and large and small jazz ensembles.

Personnel

Master Teachers
Master Teachers are full-time instructors, including a string specialist, a woodwind specialist, a brass specialist, a piano specialist, a voice specialist, a composition specialist and a jazz studies specialist. Master teachers teach various music classes in addition to giving private lessons.
B. Adjunct Master Teachers: Adjunct Master Teachers are part-time instructors who give instruction in areas where a full-time teacher is not required.

ATTRAs (Assistants to Teachers/Resident Assistance)
ATTRAs (Assistants to Teachers/Resident Assistants) are college-level alumni of the PGSA music department who are pursuing music degrees. They assist in coaching and teaching where appropriate. They also serve as hall counselors in the dormitories

Support Staff
Support Staff include a music librarian and other assistants.

Guest Artists
Guest Artists are invited to attend the program and give master classes, workshops, clinics and performances.

Schedule and Commitment
Music majors report to the designated music facilities from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and either afternoons or evenings., Monday through Friday. Private lessons, classes, ensemble practices and in-house recitals take place during these hours. A student is expected to use unscheduled time during these hours to practice in the music facilities. Practice rooms are open for students during weekends and other unscheduled time as well.

Students should not come to the program planning to spend long periods of practice time preparing works for performance outside of Governor’s School. Students may not participate in outside performances during the program.

Performances
There are several different kinds of performances which occur during the length of the program. Students perform informally in closed master classes and critiques sessions. There are weekly intradepartmental concerts and formal evening recitals presented to the entire Governor’s School community of students, faculty and staff. Music students also perform in the Friday evening interdepartmental programs. The master teacher will help assess a student’s readiness to perform and the appropriateness of the material to be presented.