Programs & Curriculum
Recognizing that students develop more fully and rapidly when challenged to imitate, to perform, and also to understand the music they learn, the Cadek Conservatory offers a program of music theory designed to complement students' individual instrumental or vocal studies. In addition, the Conservatory offers an ensemble program which enables the student to learn literature and techniques of group performance. Performing with a group reinforces the musical responses students learn in private lessons. The Cadek Conservatory also offers a full range of ensembles available to students from age five through adult.
Click Instructor List to see a complete list of Cadek Conservatory instructors. Below, you will find all programs offered by the Cadek Conservatory of Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Private Instruction
The Cadek Conservatory of Music provides Private Instruction in piano, violin, voice, harp, trumpet, guitar, and all orchestral instruments. Additionally, the Conservatory offers lessons in many band instruments, such as those used in middle and high school bands. All lessons are offered without audition. The usual starting age for beginners should be no less than five years old; however, the Cadek Conservatory offers musical instruction to students as young as four-year-olds through the age of one hundred ten. Click here to visit the Kindermusik website for programs for new-borns and older.
Suzuki Instruction
Suzuki Instruction is a specialized private instruction offered in violin, viola, cello and piano. The best age for students to begin such instruction is four to five years. Older students are accepted, and younger students may be enrolled at the teacher's discretion.
Suzuki Activities Group
To enhance their Suzuki Instruction, Suzuki students are automatically enrolled in the Suzuki Activities Group that meets once or twice each month. Performing with a group reinforces the musical responses students learn in Suzuki private lessons. The Suzuki Activities Group provides oppourtunities to partiipate in groups with the combined efforts of all Suzuki Instructors and their students. Suzuki piano, violin, cello, and viola students come together for the benefit a fun environment of group perfomances and activities. Your Suzuki student will learn to play their instrument with others in pairs, trios, and combinations of piano and string performances. Enrichment classes will explore related areas, such as movement, improvisation, history, or art. Note reading and theory are important topics for all musicians, and the group classes will be divided by ability levels. Group classes may also include ear training, music-related games, and written work by highly trained Suzuki instructors. For more information please contact our Suzuki coordinators, Andrea Exum for piano and Tammy Fisher for strings.
Basic Musicianship
The conservatory provides music theory classes as a complement to the private lessons. Students currently enrolled in the Cadek Conservatory of Music for private lessons, pay no additional fee for this instruction. This course includes ear training, sight reading, musical terminology, music history, and the study of intervals and harmony. The program is offered at sequential levels. Entrance to all but the first level is based on prior theory training. In order to successfully complete this course, the program coordinator requires students to have access to a software product incorporated in the design of the course. For more details, please contact the Conservatory office or the program coordinator
Kindermusik
Kindermusik is an international program with a gently structured curriculum that offers a wide variety of musical experiences for newborns to children age 7.
The Cadek Conservatory of Music at UTC began the first Kindermusik program in Chattanooga in 1988. All our instructors are trained and licensed by Kindermusik International. Kindermusik's goal isn't necessarily to make your child a musician, but to nurture a lifelong love of music.
Piano Klass Kidz
Piano Klass Kidz is a group piano course for beginning students ages 6-8. Research in early childhood music shows that group instruction provides an enjoyable, stress-free environment of basic musical skills while also establishing a sense of group spirit and dynamics that increase motivation! The classes include 45 minutes of weekly instruction in note reading and development of technique and musicality.
Sign up for Piano Klass Kidz! Call Janet Sump at 423-425-4328 for more details!
Fall 2011 Term (15 weeks):
Section I - Second Year Class
Tuesday, August 16th- Dec. 6th
3:30 - 4:15 PM
Section II- Second Year Class
Tuesday, August 16th - Dec. 6th
4:30 - 5:15 PM
Section III- First Year Class
Monday, Aug. 15th - Dec. 12th
4:30 - 5:15 PM
Holidays: September 5th, October 17th- 21st, November 21st- 25th
Ensembles
Flute Choir
The Cadek Flute Choir is a performing group open to all flutists who have studied for at least one year. The ensemble is divided into two levels: one for players with one to three years experience, and the other for players with three or more years experience. There is no age limit. Literature ranges from duets to full flute choir, and gives students a chance to become familiar with music used for area solo/ensemble competitions. No audition is required except for placement within the group.
Small Ensembles
The conservatory offers the opportunity for students to participate in ensembles such as woodwind quintets, string quartets, brass quintets, piano ensembles, and percussion ensembles. Auditions are required.
Certificate Program
The Cadek Conservatory offers a four-level certificate program by which a student's musical advancement can be recognized. The successful completion of each level depends upon three aspects of a student's musical accomplishment: 1)performance, 2) technical proficiency, and 3) theoretical knowledge. A certificate is awarded for the satisfactory completion of each level of this program. Lists of specific requirements for each level are available in the Conservatory office or from the student's teacher.
