Junior Program

Grades 1–4

Private Instruction: 1/2 hour, 3/4 hour, or 1 hour (1/2-hour lessons are available only to students in grades 1 and 2)
Techniques of Music: 1-hour class

Workshops and Recitals

Large Ensembles: String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Brazilian Percussion Ensemble, or Junior Chorus

Students grades 1–4 enter the Junior Program, designed to give the young musician a comprehensive grounding in music fundamentals and to introduce more advanced topics. Techniques of Music courses include written theory and ear training and introduce works from the literature.

Elementary Techniques of Music

Students learn basic music material through movement, singing, and listening. Coordination, rhythmic awareness, and basic reading are emphasized during the first two years, and fundamentals of music theory and form are stressed in years three and four. Guided listening acquaints children with appropriate selections of significant literature and develops their listening skills.

Intermediate Techniques of Music

Students continue the work begun in the elementary courses, including more advanced sight-reading and melodic dictation. Harmony and species counterpoint are introduced. Listening is expanded to include longer selections. The emotional and expressive qualities of a work are discussed in addition to theoretical concepts. Intermediate courses include intensive reviews of previously learned materials in order to establish a firm foundation for musical growth.

New Student Application Process

Interested students should complete the Mannes Prep Online Application and pay the nonrefundable application fee of $75. New students are admitted to Mannes Prep after an interview process, submission of a placement video, and completion of an online music theory placement test. The application deadline is extended until all spots are filled for each instrument. Please review these tips for selecting a teacher at Mannes Prep. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Fall 2023 Interviews

Tuesday, May 2–Friday, May 5, 2023
Tuesday, May 9–Friday, May 12, 2023

Interviews will be held remotely. 

Spring 2023 Open Campus Day

Prospective students and families are invited to visit campus on Saturday, April 29. Register for the Spring 2023 Open Campus Day. More information will be shared with registrants in early April.

• Cost-of-attendance information is available on the Mannes Prep Tuition and Fees Sheet. Tuition and fees for the 2023–2024 academic year will be updated shortly.
• Financial aid is available. Submit your Financial Aid application by May 1.

Placement Video Information

Length

• Placement videos should be a maximum of ten minutes.
• Shorter videos are welcome.
• Please excerpt your pieces if they are longer than ten minutes—choose sections that best represent your playing to assist us in your placement.
• Internal cuts within pieces are recommended.

Content

• Beginners with no experience on any instrument are not required to submit a placement video.
• Instrumentalists should prepare a placement video containing two contrasting pieces and a major or minor scale of their choosing. Accompanists are neither required nor provided.
• Vocalists should prepare a placement video containing a vocalise of their choosing and two contrasting songs, one of which should be in English. Accompanists are neither required nor provided.
• Composers should submit two scores of pieces they have written recently. Recordings are welcome but not required.
• Percussionists should prepare a placement video containing repertoire excerpts for any instruments you play including repertoire for snare drum, mallet instruments, and timpani. Beginners and younger students should demonstrate what they can play on any of the above instruments.
• Jazz drummers and drum set students should prepare a placement video that includes different styles and tempos, such as swing, jazz ballad (brushes), bossa nova and funk, in addition to preparing a rudimental snare solo of their choice. Beginners and younger students should demonstrate what they can play on any of these instruments.
• All applicants take a music theory placement test to determine which theory class is best for them.
• For young students who have not previously studied music, the interview process is a chance for the faculty and students to get to know one another and determine the right fit.

Continuing Students Renewal Process

Returning students must renew by May 1 to ensure a place for the following year. Renewal instructions are emailed to families by the Prep office, and the process music must be completed and the nonrefundable tuition deposit paid by May 1.

For more information about the admission or renewal process, please email us at [email protected].