Pre-Conservatory Violin Program (PCVP)
The Pre-Conservatory Violin Program (PCVP) is designed to support and challenge the most advanced, serious, and gifted violinists studying at the Preparatory in a motivating environment. Young artists in this program are playing at the advanced level, are committed to practicing several hours per day, and display the artistic potential to pursue a performance career in music. Members of PCVP have been award winners in numerous regional and national competitions and have performed with the top orchestras in the greater Baltimore-Washington area.
The Pre-Conservatory Violin Program is supported by the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation, whose mission is to support violin teaching at the highest level.
Program Overview
The PCVP consists of four components:
- Private Lesson — Students study with Peabody faculty.
- Pre-Conservatory Violin Class — The signature component of the program is this weekly class, led by Rebecca Henry, String Department Chair and PCVP Director. This class meets during the fall/spring academic year on Saturdays from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. Throughout the year, time is spent in three ways:
- Technique — Students refine the relationships between motion and music and continue the search for flexible, free motions and virtuoso technique.
- Solo Performance — Students perform often in this weekly master class setting as they prepare for recitals, competitions, and college auditions. Guests include both Peabody Preparatory and Conservatory faculty, as well as artists from the music world at large. Previous guests have included Jonathan Carney, Stefan Jackiw, Victor Danchenko, Nicholas Kendall, Mimi Zweig, Violaine Melançon, Keng Yuen Tseng, and the Biava String Quartet.
- Ensemble Performance — The group rehearses 2–4 part violin music in preparation for concerts that include both solo and ensemble performances. Igor Yuzefovich, Baltimore Symphony Assistant Concertmaster and Preparatory alumnus, performed with PCVP last year, and we will continue with similar collaborations as celli and violists from the Performance Academy join PCVP for special performance projects. The PCVP has performed at the Music Institute of Chicago, with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony (DE), at The Walter’s Art Museum (Baltimore, MD, Rennaisance Institute at The College of Notre Dame (Baltimore, MD), the Chalice Chamber Series (Columbia, MD), and throughout the Baltimore/Washington region.
- Collaborations with the Performance Academy for Strings — PCVP will collaborate with the PA for a series of performance workshops and master classes that are designed to develop performance skills and explore enrichment topics. Past topics have included Orchestral Excerpts with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Concertmaster Jonathan Carney, Taking College Auditions with Peabody faculty member Herbert Greeberg, Jazz Improvisation with Sara Caswell, and Creative Practice with cellist Richard Aaron. In addition, PA and PCVP will join forces in January for a special String Orchestra Festival.
- Piano Rehearsal — Rehearsals with a piano accompanist whose time is dedicated to the specific individual development of these young artists. Each student receives a designated number of hours of rehearsal time per semester, and the pianist is available to perform with the student in most recitals, concerts, and area competitions.
Additional Opportunities through PCVP
Students in PCVP may also take advantage of the other outstanding opportunities available to Preparatory students, as recommended by their teacher. These include studio recitals, signature recitals, Part-Recital and Concerto competitions, Youth Orchestra Program, music theory, and the Certificate Program. Please refer to the current Fall/Spring 2008-2009 Preparatory course catalog and the Preparatory Music Student Handbook for more information. Program Director Rebecca Henry or Student Services Coordinator Gavin Farrell can advise the student on the best course of study at the Preparatory.
Partial scholarships are available for those accepted into the PCVP and students are encouraged to apply.
Direct inquiries to
Rebecca Henry, Director and Instructor
Email: prepstrings@peabody.jhu.edu
or contact the Baltimore main campus (downtown) Preparatory Office for more information at 410-234-4630
Mail or fax applications to
Peabody Preparatory String Department
Pre-Conservatory Violin Program
c/o Peabody Preparatory
21 East Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2308
Fax: 410-659-8281
