Click
here to download the 2007 Orchestra/Chamber Music brochure (PDF)
Conservatory
Dates
June 11 - July 14, 2007 (five weeks)
Part-time attendance is possible. Click
here to learn more.
Registration/Orientation
Mon., June 11, 2007
Daily
Hours
8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., M-F
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 2007 festival. Concerts
are scheduled to take place at the Moores Opera House (with the Texas
Music Festival), the Hobby Center’s Zilkha Hall and at Episcopal
High School’s Underwood Theatre. Concerto performances by AFA
students will be featured on the July 14, 2007 concert.
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 the Enso String Quartet.
Percussion Students
AFA percussion students have the option to enroll in the Intensive Jazz
INstitute as well as participating in Orchestra/Chamber Music program.
Typically, this involves playing in orchestra in the morning and in
Big Band in the afternoons. No previous experience in jazz is necessary.
During other weeks, percussionists participate in group master classes
and chamber music during the remaining weeks of the Conservatory program.
Harp Students
Please contact AFA for more information if you are interested in harp
studies.
2007 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
Violin 26-32
Viola 10-12
Cello 10-12
Bass 5-7