Overview
The mission of the Academy of Music Northwest is to insure that the region's most talented young classical musicians have the most comprehensive pre-college classical music training available, regardless of financial need.
We do this through two main programs. For young children, ages 4-10, we offer a program that can serve both as an introduction to musical knowledge and thinking, as well as a compliment to individual private study. For serious young musicians, ages 11-18, our Pre-College Division offers a range of courses both in music studies and performance.
Our Saturday school runs from September through May, divided into two, fifteen-week semesters (see the Academic Calendar). Students enroll for the full year, though we occasionally have advanced students only participating in ensembles who enroll for just the fall or spring semester.
Students enrolled in the Pre-College Division are required to be in private study with an instrumental, voice, or composition teacher. Students in the Children's Division are required to be taking private lessons from the age of 6. The Academy will not ask you to change teachers. Our programs are an important supplement to private study. For those not yet studying with a teacher, we are happy to offer a courtesy referral. A limited number of private lessons are available at the school on Saturdays.
A Typical Day in the Children's Division
For our youngest children, four and five-year-olds, the Academy offers a "Music with Movement" class.
Six to eight year olds take a Musicianship class (Children's Division faculty will determine the appropriate level for each child), a Performance class and/or Children's Choir.
Nine and ten year olds take Junior Theory Class and have the options of taking Performance Class and/or Children's Choir. Children who are approved by the Ensemble Director to work in an ensemble also have that option.
A Typical Day in the Pre-College Division
We encourage students starting out in the Pre-College Division to enroll in our core curriculum, which includes music theory, ear training, ensemble, and performance workshop. Some students also take composition classes. For students who have completed our core theory and ear-training classes (or who can test out of them), we offer a series of advanced electives, including conducting, sonata literature, advanced composition, and honors ensemble. Enrollment in these advanced classes require approval from faculty. Students may also enroll in electives, such as Sight-Reading for String Players, Sight-Reading for Pianists, or History and Literature of Music.
