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Program and Course Descriptions

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Overview

The Juilliard School's Music Advancement Program (MAP) is a Saturday instrument instruction program for students ages 8 to 14 who reside in the tristate area (NY, NJ, CT). MAP targets children from backgrounds underrepresented in American performing arts. For the past 20 years, this nationally-recognized program has served as an essential bridge to higher levels of musicianship, cultural participation, and personal growth for thousands of young students.

MAP offers four levels of study ranging from intermediate (Level 1) to advanced (Level 4). All students receive private or semi-private lessons on violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba, percussion, guitar, or piano. They also participate in small and large ensembles and chamber music groups, and take courses in music theory, ear training, performance skills, and audition preparation.

Lessons and classes take place at Juilliard on Saturdays during the school year, September through May, for three to five hours between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (including lunch). Students who do not have access to their own instruments are loaned instruments by The Juilliard School.

The MAP faculty includes Juilliard alumni, current Juilliard student teaching fellows, and other accomplished professionals who make a special effort to develop one-on-one relationships with their students. This unique bond provides students with encouragement and support to develop the discipline and skills needed to continue their training at a more advanced level. Visits by various guest artists and ensembles further inspire MAP students in their musical endeavors through interactive, free-of-charge performances presented at Juilliard.

Who We Serve

MAP serves students from across the tristate area, offering a comprehensive curriculum for intermediate and advanced level students who wish to pursue rigorous musical study. MAP also serves students’ families, providing education workshops on diverse topics, information about various concert opportunities, and a literacy program for younger children. Starting where most school instrumental programs must end, MAP supports school music teachers as well, building upon their work and motivating students to excel in all their endeavors.

Alumni from the program have gone on to study successfully in community music schools, pre-college programs, conservatories, and universities. Many have chosen music education as their passion, while others have become professional musicians in various musical styles. All alumni have been equipped with quality musical experiences that empower them to become advocates in their communities for the value of the arts.

The Music Advancement Program is administered by Juilliard's Office of Educational Outreach.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

This curriculum is subject to change by program administration at any time.

Level 1 (intermediate)

  • Individual Private or Paired Lesson: Private or paired lessons featuring instruction by assigned studio faculty, with a goal of strengthening the student's technical foundation. The studio faculty also serves as a mentor to assigned students. (Mentoring includes weekly calls to the students' homes and occasional outings to musical events.)
  • Instrument Technique: A systematic group study of instrument techniques incorporating applied music theory. The practice of scales and articulation receive intense focus.
  • MAP Studio Class: Provides the opportunity for all MAP students to attend recitals, concerts, master classes, and interactive performances in order to promote the development of performance and critical listening skills.

Level 2 (intermediate)

  • Individual Private or Paired Lesson: Private or paired lessons featuring instruction by assigned studio faculty, building upon the technical foundations established in the student's previous training. The studio faculty also serves as a mentor to assigned students. (Mentoring includes weekly calls to the students' homes and occasional outings to musical events.)
  • Instrument Technique: A systematic group study of instrument techniques incorporating applied music theory. The practice of scales and articulation receive intense focus.
  • MAP Studio Class: See above.

Level 3 (high intermediate to advanced)

  • Individual Private Lesson: Private lessons featuring instruction by assigned studio faculty. The studio faculty also serves as a mentor to assigned students. (Mentoring includes weekly calls to the students' homes and occasional outings to musical events.)
  • Instrument Technique: A systematic group study of instrument techniques incorporating applied music theory and ear training. Scales, tone, etude study, and sight-reading receive special focus.
  • MAP Studio Class: See above.
  • Chamber Music: Coached by studio faculty and Juilliard student teaching fellows, students explore the unique skills and repertoire required to perform in small chamber ensembles (groups of 2-5 students on various instruments).
  • Large Ensemble: The large ensemble offers students the opportunity to play in an orchestra or band-like setting, and periodically rehearses separately in various instrument configurations. Each semester's study culminates in a concert.

Level 4 (advanced)

  • Individual Private Lesson: Private lessons featuring instruction by assigned studio faculty, with a goal of preparing the student for a successful audition for an advanced music preparatory program. The studio faculty also serves as a mentor to assigned students. (Mentoring includes weekly calls to the students' homes and occasional outings to musical events.)
  • Instrument Technique: A systematic group study of instrument techniques incorporating applied music theory and ear training. Scales, tone, etude study, and sight-reading receive special focus.
  • MAP Studio Class: See above.
  • Chamber Music: See above.
  • Large Ensemble: See above.