The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

 The Basics

The curriculum that every Peabody bass student undertakes has three basic elements:  private instruction with their main teacher, orchestral  repertoire classes, and performance classes.  Beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year, a new element will be added: regular classes and group lessons with Faculty Artist in Residence Harold Robinson. You can learn more about these elements by clicking on the text or by using the navigation menu on the left.

 Community

Like the conservatory as a whole, the bass department at Peabody works hard
to avoid an atmosphere of competition and negative commentary.  We want every bass player here to be learning from each other and working hard to achieve their own highest standard of excellence.  We don't rank people or allow anyone to have a privileged status in the department.  You will work hard here, but not so that you can be the "best" student at school.
  

  A "Real World" Approach

 
The ultimate goal of most Peabody bass students is a career in music, and for most bassists that means playing in symphony orchestras.  While we want every Peabody bass student to graduate with the ability to perform at a high technical and musical level in any situation, we place an emphasis on acquiring the practical skills and knowledge that it takes to do well in orchestral playing and orchestral auditions.

 Team Teaching

All of the classes in our department are taught on a rotating basis by the entire faculty.  Students are exposed to the ideas and approach of all of our teachers.  We don't always teach everything in exactly the same way, but we all want to help all of the students to find what works best for them and conributes to their own musical growth.