Download
the 2009 Orchestra & Chamber Music brochure here
Conservatory
Dates
June 15 - July 17, 2008 (five weeks)
Please check the Concert Info page
for performance dates.
Part-time attendance is possible only if scheduling conflicts exist.
Click here to learn more.
Daily
Hours
8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Private lesson times will be individually scheduled and typically start
at 3:30 p.m.
Tuition
$875 (scholarships are
available)
Areas
of Study
flute/piccolo, oboe/english horn, clarinet/bass clarinet,
bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, percussion,
harp, violin, viola, cello, bass
Ages
Graduating 8th - graduating 12th grades
Conservatory
Orchestra
Orchestral students take part in daily rehearsals of standard orchestral
literature and new works. Sectionals are also conducted at the discretion
of the orchestra conductor and department heads. Three AFA Conservatory
Orchestra performances take place during the 2009 conservatory. Concerts
are scheduled to take place at venues around the city of Houston, giving
students valuable performance experience in a large ensemble.
Chamber Music
All orchestra students participate in chamber music. Students receive
daily coaching from the AFA faculty and rehearse music from the standard
repertory and a limited amount of contemporary and new works. Three
chamber music concerts and, as needed, a series of in-house recitals
give students valuable experience rehearsing and performing in small
ensembles.
Private Instruction
All orchestra students receive a minimum of three private lessons during
the festival. Due to the limited amount of time students have with private
teachers, AFA suggests that students come prepared to address any specific
issues with which they may desire assistance. Items students may wish
to address with private teachers include, but are not limited to, rehearsing
and preparing orchestra or chamber music repertory, specific technical
questions or concerns, receiving coaching on a solo or concerto movement
they are preparing or practicing for upcoming contests and/or competitions.
This type of focused, one-on-one interaction between working musicians
and AFA students is specifically designed to help AFA students address
individual musical goals.
Master Classes
At various points throughout the Conservatory, distinguished guests
and ensembles are invited to present master classes in a variety of
instruments. In recent years, master classes have been presented by
members of the Houston Symphony, Ballet and Opera orchestras as well
as by internationally known chamber groups, composers, choreographers
and performers from throughout the nation. In many cases, students have
the opportunity to perform for AFA’s visiting guests and receive
additional coaching.
Click
here to learn more about special Honors String Quartet program
with guest string artists from the 2009 Faculty.
Harp Students
Please contact AFA for more information if you are interested in harp
studies.
Concerto
Competition
All full-time orchestra students are eligible to compete in the AFA
Concerto Competition. The Competition is judged in two divisions:
1) Strings, Piano, Harp and 2) Winds, Brass and Percussion. Application
forms are mailed with enrollment packages after acceptance into the
Conservatory and the competition will be held during the second week
of the program.
2009
Enrollment Quotas
All applicants must complete a live audition for the Conservatory. Several
departments fill quickly and AFA reserves the right to close any department
once quotas have been met. Early applications and auditions
are strongly encouraged.
Flute/Piccolo 3-4
Oboe/English Horn 3-4
Clarinet 3-4
Bassoon 3-4
Horn 6-7
Trumpet 4-6
Trombone 2-4
Bass Trombone 1
Tuba 1-2
Percussion 3-4
Harp 1-2
Violin 26-32
Viola 10-12
Cello 10-12
Bass 5-7
