Basic Instructional Program
The Journey of Musical GrowthHoff-Barthelson is committed to uncompromising standards of a comprehensive musical education for everyone. Students, parents, faculty and administration strive for excellence while sharing the joys of musical accomplishment. The interaction of our young students with their teachers and peers is a significant facet of their development as musicians and as people.
Students embark upon a journey of musical growth under the guidance of our distinguished faculty, and are encouraged to explore their musical ideas, tastes, and potential in a familial setting of friendship and support. Just as a cherished family heirloom is lovingly passed from parent to children, we seek to nurture the love of music in our students as a treasured gift from generation to generation.
The Hoff-Barthelson core curriculum
Students enrolled in private lessons are encouraged to participate in musicianship classes, ensembles and performance opportunities at no additional fee.
- 32 annual Private Lessons
All instruments and voice in both classical and jazz idioms
Students are carefully matched with the appropriate faculty member after an interview with the School Executive Director or Dean - 30 annual Musicianship Classes
A sequential, comprehensive program of training that promotes music literacy through sight-singing, ear-training and dictation, notation, eurhythmics, composition and analysis of musical form. Students are placed according to age and level of advancement.
Basic Musicianship
Beginning, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced
Composition and Analysis
The Music School has a collaborative relationship with the Aaron Copland House composers.
Vocal Ensembles
Ear Training
Sight-Singing
Chime Time
Advanced Placement Prep Theory
Advanced Placement Theory
Conducting
Music Technology Lab
Introduction to Music Theory
Music History - Performance Opportunities for all Ages
Solo Performance
Student Recitals, Informals and Teenage Workshops, Honors Program Recitals, Repertoire Recitals, Festivals in Style, Master Classes, Family Concerts, Community Outreach Concerts.
Chamber Ensembles and the HBMS Orchestral Pyramid
The joy of music-making is an experience to be shared with one's peers throughout a lifetime. Students are encouraged to join one or more performing groups from their very earliest stages of proficiency.
Chamber Ensembles
Chamber Music duos, trios, quartets and quintets
chambermusic@hbms.org
Four Choirs
Jazz Improvisation Ensembles
The HBMS Orchestral Pyramid
Hoff-Barthelson is the only community music school in Westchester County with a four-tiered orchestral training pyramid:
Young People's Symphonette: elementary school string players
Chamber Orchestra: string players in junior high school
Wind Ensemble: wind players in junior and senior high school
Festival Orchestra: full symphonic orchestra for high school students at the highest level
of technical ability and musical artistry. By audition only.
Instrumental Clubs
Weekly opportunities for students to play together under the guidance of an HB faculty member.
Brass * Flute * Junior Flutes * Viola
Honors Program
For gifted and committed students. By audition only.
An Honors Certificate is awarded annually and a special Graduation Award is presented at the Graduation Recital.
The Honors Program has produced prize-winning performers in national and international competitions. Successful participation in this rigorous program is often beneficial in the college application process.
Requirements:
Specific Musicianship Courses
Chamber Music
Orchestra or Chorus
A short Recital at the conclusion of each semester for a faculty jury
Attendance at one professional performance annually
Graduation Certificate
For committed students. An HBMS Graduation Certificate is issued upon completion.
Requirements:
Required courses in musicianship, composition, music history
Ensemble work
A demonstrated ability to analyze and perform examples from each significant period of music literature
Graduation Recital
Community Outreach
Hoff-Barthelson outreach brings student musicians to senior citizens, children and the disabled throughout the community through RING concerts, performances at Blythedale Children's Hospital, retirement facilities, and Arts-In-Education programs.
