CMS Preparatory Program

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The Preparatory Program (Prep) is the pinnacle of the CMS sequential music education program, positioning graduates for a lifetime of arts-rich success. It is an intensive program for developing well-rounded young musicians by offering high-caliber chamber music coaching from professional musicians, performance opportunities, theory and special events.

About the Preparatory Program at CMS

The CMS Preparatory Program is an extensive program offering high-caliber coaching from professional musicians, meaningful real-world performance opportunities, artistic mentoring and other curriculum. Three seven-week rotations include: 1-3 weekly rehearsals; 5 coachings; a culminating concert; music theory and performance classes. The CMS Preparatory Program is most appropriate for high school musicians who may be interested in pursuing a music major or minor in college.

Optional classes:

  • Performance: These classes provide a masterclass-like environment for students to develop experience performing. Each musician is given two opportunities per rotation to play and get feedback from top professional musicians.
  • Theory: Students work with a college-level theory instructor to develop knowledge of key signatures, intervals, chord identification, cadences, harmonization and analysis; five classes per rotation.

  • String, wind (flute, clarinet, bassoon, french horn), and piano students with a recommended minimum of at least four years of private study.
  • Students in grades 9-12. Middle school students may be considered based on teacher recommendation.
  • Students should be studying privately on the instrument on which they will audition.
  • Students should be motivated and interested in chamber music.

The application deadline is August 28, 2023.

 

Video auditions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday September 8. No exceptions can be made.

  1. Please write a short 2-3 sentence bio to be used for your audition profile. Please include your name, your grade, the school you attend, the instrument you play and who you study with, and some interesting facts about yourself that will help us know you.
  1. Choose a selfie, headshot, or photo you would like to use for your audition profile.
  1. Select two pieces with contrasting styles. Your video audition may not exceed 6 minutes including transition time and performance of both selections. You may perform with or without piano accompaniment.
  1. Create a pdf of your part for both solos with the excerpts clearly marked. Be sure to include the title and composer on each. 
  1. Email your bio, selfie/headshot/photo, and pdfs of your pieces to Mrs. Holzen no later than Wednesday, September 6. Please make the subject of your email Prep Video Profile First Name Last Name, for example, “Prep Video Profile Laura Holzen.”
  1. Record your audition. Any device with a basic video camera will work (phone, tablet, etc.) If you use music a music stand, be sure it does not block the camera's view. Please record both of your solos in one take with no edits.
  1. Submit your audition to Mrs. Holzen with the subject line being Prep Video Audition First Name Last Name, for example, “Prep Video Audition Laura Holzen” by 11:59 pm September 8. Pick between the following two options for submission:

Option 1: Email a link to download your audition (i.e., iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive) 

Option 2: Upload your files to YouTube and send in a link.

Live auditions take place on Saturday September 9 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Winifred Moore Auditorium on the Webster University campus in Webster Groves.  

  1. Please write a short 2-3 sentence bio to be used for your audition profile. Please include your name, your grade, the school you attend, the instrument you play and who you study with, and some interesting facts about yourself that will help us know you.
  1. Choose a selfie, headshot, or photo you would like to use for your audition profile.
  1. Select two pieces with contrasting styles. Your preliminary audition may not exceed 6 minutes including tuning, transition time, and performance of both selections. If you are chosen to compete in the Scholarship Competition, your audition time will increase to 10 minutes including tuning, transition time, and performance of both selections. Abrupt cuts in the accompaniment may be made for the sake of time.
  1. Create a .pdf of your part for both solos with the excerpts clearly marked. Be sure to include the title and composer on each. 
  1. Email your bio, selfie/headshot/photo, and pdfs of your pieces to Mrs. Holzen  no later than Wednesday, September 6. Please make the subject of your email includes Prep Live Profile First Name Last Name, for example, “Prep Live Profile Laura Holzen.”
  1. Your will receive a separate email regarding your piano rehearsal.
  1. Your will receive a separate email regarding your audition time.

Students auditioning in-person will automatically be considered for the Prep Scholarship Competition held in the CMS Concert Hall the following day on Sept. 10. There is a $40 competition fee for students auditioning in-person and entered into the CMS Prep Scholarship Competition.

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Sunday, September 10
Prep Scholarship Competition
CMS Concert Hall
3:00 p.m
.

The top 4-8 students auditioning in the preliminary round in-person on Saturday will proceed to a Scholarship round on Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Community Music School. The winner of the Prep Scholarship Competition will receive a full-tuition scholarship ($1,050) for all three rotations of the 2023-2024 CMS Preparatory Program.

Rotation 2023-2024 Academic Year Concert Dates
23-24 Preparatory Program Orientation Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.  
Fall Rotation #1 (weekly coachings) Oct. 2–Nov. 17, 2023 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023
Winter Rotation #2 (weekly coachings) Jan. 2–Feb. 21, 2024 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024
Spring Rotation #3 (weekly coachings) March 4–April 21, 2024 6 p.m., Sunday, April 21, 2023

Electives and class meetings take place on Wednesdays during each rotation.

2023-2024 Tuition: $350/rotation ($1,050 for full academic year)

Annual Registration Fee: A non-refundable registration fee of $30 is assessed once per academic year per student upon enrollment.

Competition Fee: There is a $40 competition fee for students auditioning in-person and entered into the CMS Prep Scholarship Competition.

Do I have to play in the live audition to get into the Prep program?

No, you may apply online to the Prep program by video.

How many live auditions are there each year?

Just one in early September before the academic year begins.

How do I get into the scholarship competition?

Between four and eight scholarship competition finalists will be selected from the live audition round. All you need to do is apply for the live audition and you are automatically eligible for the scholarship round.

Do I have to stay at CMS after my audition?

No, you are welcome to leave after your audition and we will notify you of the results when they are posted.

Why is there an application fee for the live audition?

The fee covers the cost of jury members, accompanist and building use for this unique opportunity to play an audition that is open to the public.

How big of a time commitment is Prep?

The majority of Prep activities happen during our three academic year rotations (fall, winter, spring). There can be some variation in time commitment depending on chamber group assignment. The most serious groups with the goal of entering competitions might meet 3-5 times per week whereas a new quartet may only meet 1-3 times per week. In addition to chamber meetings, Prep students also attend two all-prep gatherings and 4-8 elective classes per rotation.