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 in students a responsiveness 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. More advanced students will also enroll in a repertoire class,
chamber ensemble, or orchestra. Intermediate and advanced high school freshman may elect to audition for our
High School Certificate Program.
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 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 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. Parents and students are encouraged to stay in touch with faculty and administrators throughout the school year.
Applying for Instrumental or Vocal Study
1. If you would like your child to begin study in the coming school year, you should attend one of the following Information Sessions. Attendance at one of these sessions is a required first step in the application process for individual instrumental or vocal study. 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.
Information Sessions for the 2008-2009 School Year
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Priority will be given to students who interview in June.
To reserve a place at an information session or to inquire further about individual study, please contact the Instrumental and Vocal Department Coordinator at 212-369-1484, extension 26, or
lessons@diller-quaile.org.
2.
Submit an application.
3. Schedule and attend an interview. More experienced students are asked to play or sing one of their current pieces. At the interview a child new to study will, for instance, have a chance to find high and low sounds on a piano or to hold a violin, while together we assess readiness for individual study. At Diller-Quaile we emphasize finding the appropriate program for each student, from beginners to advanced players.
Tuition Rates 2008-2009 (30-week program)
| Two-part Program: Available for piano, voice, woodwinds, guitar, and percussion |
| 30 minutes | $2,805 |
| 45 minutes | $3,235 |
| 60 minutes | $3,725 |
|
| Three-part Program: Available for all instruments |
| 30 minutes | $3,170 |
| 45 minutes | $3,720 |
| 60 minutes | $4,010 |
|
| Secondary Instrument Study |
| 30 minutes | $1,855 |
| 45 minutes | $2,480 |
| 60 minutes | $3,310 |
|
| Weekly Class (Chorus or Percussion Ensemble) $950 |
