Sharing Successes through Performances

Performance is a significant educational component of music study. We believe that frequent performance in a friendly, informal atmosphere lessens stage-fright and gives students the opportunity to develop skills necessary for successful performance. While we do not anticipate that every student will participate, we encourage students to understand that performance participation is an important opportunity to achieve significant progress in developing their musical skill.
 

Some of the many performance opportunities include:

Student Recitals
Recitals give students an opportunity to present music that has been mastered in the lessons. The decision to perform in public is always made by the instructor and the student. This experience enables students to gain feedback from their peers, feel more comfortable with performing, and develop a confident stage presence.
 
Student recitals provide an excellent venue for perfecting performance skills before a supportive and attentive audience. They are also great motivators for students to develop the nuances of the art of performance, and to explore the issues of stage presence, anxiety, memorization, projection, communication and impact. The students' listening to other students perform also broadens exposure to many styles and instruments. Levels range from first year students to those with years of experience playing advanced repertoire on their instruments. Through these experiences, students also build a camaraderie among attendees. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.

Performance Juries/Exams
Juries provide an invaluable opportunity for students to give a formal presentation of their prepared repertoire, technical exercises and musicianship in front of the faculty. Students receive a written evaluation of their performance.
 

Diploma/ Certificate Program
The Diploma/Certificate Program is for students who want to deepen their musical involvement and education and attain an especially high standard of performance and participation. This comprehensive music curriculum provides structure and guidelines for students who wish to measure their musical progress.

• National Piano Guild/American College of Musicians Examinations (piano)

• American String Teacher Association Examinations (strings)

• ABRSM Examinations (all instruments and voice)

ISM  prepares interested students for the practical (instrumental) and theory examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), National Piano Guild/American College of Musicians, and American String Teacher Association Examinations. Faculty select students for whom the exam curriculum and performance challenge provide appropriate motivation and reward. External examiners provide assessments of the student's skill level presenting the opportunity for each student, their teacher and the school director to review progress together and offer encouragement, guidance and advice on specified areas.
 

Competitions and Music Festivals
ISM students have distinguished themselves on numerous occasions in recitals festivals, as well as in solo, concerto and chamber music competitions. Students are also encouraged to participate in off-campus events and recitals as often as possible. In addition, ISM students and graduates have received scholarship awards to universities and major summer music festivals.

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