Pre-Senior Program

Grades 5–8

The Pre-Senior Program is designed for students in grades 5 through 8. Techniques of Music classes include written theory and ear training and introduce works from the literature. Improvisation sessions challenge students to build upon their musical knowledge and develop their individual voices as improvisers. All students participate in a large ensemble, in which they build a musical community and strengthen their ensemble skills. Students are invited to participate in regular Mannes Prep workshops, recitals, and special programming tailored to Pre-Senior Program students. Various electives, including chamber music and composition, are offered each semester.

Ensemble Major:

• Techniques of Music (one-hour class)

• Large ensembles: Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Intermediate Chorus, Sight Reading for Pianists

• Workshops and recitals

• Master classes with guest artists 

Ensemble Major + Private Instruction:

• One-hour lesson

• Techniques of Music (one-hour class)

• Large ensembles: Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Intermediate Chorus, Sight Reading for Pianists

• Workshops and recitals

• Master classes with guest artists 

Cost-of-attendance information is available on the Mannes Prep Tuition and Fees Sheet.

Course Descriptions

Intermediate Techniques of Music
Students continue the work begun in the elementary courses, including more advanced sight reading and melodic dictation. Harmony and species counterpoint are introduced. Listening is expanded to include longer selections. Works' emotional and expressive qualities, in addition to theoretical concepts, are discussed. Intermediate courses include intensive review of previously learned material, designed to establish a firm foundation for musical growth. Each semester, students have two improvisation sessions, in which they are challenged to build upon their musical knowledge and use their instrumental skills to begin developing their individual voices as improvisors.

Sight Reading for Pianists
Sight reading for pianists and learning to play four hands are techniques that build and fine-tune basic understanding of the fundamentals of music, such as note reading, rhythm, dynamics, articulations, chords, harmonic progressions, scales, cadences, and sequences. Developing sight-reading skills strengthens the ability to recognize and understand these musical building blocks, which in turn increases musical literacy as well as performance proficiency. Being able to sight read well and learn music quickly prepares students to play chamber music with other instruments and to read and listen to more than one part.

Concert Orchestra
Beginning pre-senior string players will benefit from this first ensemble experience. Reading skills are required, and placement is at the conductor's discretion. Young wind players may join the Concert Orchestra at the discretion of the Preparatory Division director and the orchestra conductor. The Concert Orchestra performs at the end of each semester.

Chamber Orchestra
The Chamber Orchestra is a high-level training orchestra. Students in the orchestra perform works from a variety of periods and styles throughout the year. Students are placed in the Chamber Orchestra after an ensemble placement in September. The Chamber Orchestra performs at the end of each semester.

Intermediate Chorus
Drawing on a diverse repertoire of classical, world, and contemporary music, the Junior and Intermediate Choruses provide an exciting opportunity for younger students to perform in a large ensemble. The Intermediate Chorus performs at the end of each semester.

Workshops
Workshops, a unique feature of the preparatory program, are scheduled several times every month. In these informal hour-long classes, small groups of students play for and learn from one another. A wide variety of musical topics are explored. Workshops are usually led by a faculty member other than the student's own teacher. Workshop participation is required for performance in a monthly recital, but all students are encouraged to attend weekly workshops, whether or not they are performing that month.

Recitals
Formal recitals, to which family and friends are invited, are held monthly. Individual students and ensembles may perform as often as they are ready, schedule permitting.

Master Classes with Guest Artists
Acclaimed guest artists visit Mannes Prep each semester to work with students through master classes, composition readings, orchestra sectionals, and guest workshops. Guest artists for 2023–2024 include Jennifer Koh (violin, Mannes), Qianwen Shen (violin, Met Orchestra), Mindy Kaufman (flute, New York Philharmonic), Dr. Daria Rabotkina (piano, Texas State University), Dr. Eteri Andjaparidze (piano, Mannes), Simone Dinnerstein (piano, Mannes), Lauren Bernofsky (composer), Yale Whiffenpoofs, Art Beyond the Ink, Kodak String Quartet, and Emissary Flute Quartet.