Music Programs
MYA is a full-curriculum pre-college music school which has garnered a reputation among professional musicians and educators as a place for students to:
• become exceptional young musicians
• perform the world’s finest music
• participate in world-class competitions
• study with master teachers
• have fun and tour the world!
Music and Movement Classes for Pre-School Aged Children
directed by renowned early childhood educator, Teddi Koch, offer enriching, developmentally appropriate music and movement experiences for parent and child to grow and play together.
Nine Youth Orchestras
that have performance opportunities at the Civic Opera House, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, and Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston. Students grow and develop as soloists and ensemble players through participation in Instrument Classes focusing on technique, solo performances and ensembles. Master teachers in the 2010/2011 season included: John Bruce Yeh, clarinet; Charles Geyer, trumpet; Hans Jensen, cello; Gerardo Ribeiro, violin; and Rami Solomonow and Charlie Pikler, viola.
Sixty Chamber Music Ensembles
that perform widely throughout the year and enjoy coachings by master teachers and artists such as Gavriel Lipkind, cello; the Avalon String Quartet; Stefan Milenkovich, violin; Rami Solomonow, viola; N-E-W Trio (2008 Grand Prize Winners of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition); Michael Kozakis, percussion; Orbert Davis, jazz trumpet; Ethan Bensdorf, trumpet/MYA Alum and 2nd Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic; Barbara Butler, Professor of Trumpet, Northwestern University; John Bruce Yeh, CSO, clarinet; Charlie Pikler, CSO, viola.
Four Choral Ensembles
that begin training students as early as first grade. Voices Rising (grades 5-8) has performed at the United Nations, Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and has been the children’s vocal ensemble for the CSO’s Welcome Yule concerts for the past six years. VX Studio Ensemble, under the Direction of Gary Fry, offers a select group of 16 students a unique experience to develop skills expected for professional recording vocalists.
The Jazz Program
provides the most comprehensive jazz instruction citywide with a Jazz in January weekend where students work with celebrated jazz artists including Rufus Reid, Sean Jones, Dick Oates, Orbert Davis, Wycliffe Gordon, and Victor Goines who then perform with the students in a sizzling finale concert.
The Wind Symphony
is a small Honors ensemble with an unparalleled opportunity to experience outstanding wind ensemble literature under the direction of a fabulous conductor and musician, Dr. James Ripley.
Music Theory and Composition
is so important to a music student’s education that these enrichment classes are included in tuition.
The high quality of music performance in all these genres creates a truly unique school where collaborative programming and learning strengthens students’ knowledge and skills. A young flutist may play flute in Concertino Orchestra and also sing in Voices Rising. A wind player may be in the Honors Wind Symphony, a brass chamber music ensemble, lead trumpet in the big band and learn orchestral excerpts in the Symphony Orchestra. A violinist may be in a piano trio, participate in our Early Music Academy, perform a solo in I’Solisti MYA, and learn orchestral excerpts now so that when they audition for symphony jobs later, they have great literature under their fingers.
MYA is a truly unique music school where camaraderie between students is promoted, there is an emphasis on respect and encouragement in the teaching relationship, and the main focus is the pursuit of musical excellence. MYA provides a place for students to grow with their peers in a competitive, yet friendly atmosphere. It is a program that stimulates and excites future "dedicated amateurs" as well offers opportunities and support for students preparing for a future in the highly competitive world of music. MYA graduates are accepted at the most selective conservatories, universities and colleges in the country.
