THE STRING PROGRAM

Peter Snitkovsky, Chair
Peter Snitkovsky began studying violin at the age of six and attended a special music school in Kharkov where he studied with Professor Leschinski (a student of Karl Fleish). He won the Ukrainian Violin Competition in 1969 and was invited to study at the Moscow Conservatory from 1970 to 1975 with Professor Yankelevitch. At the age of 20 while at the Conservatory, Mr. Snitkovsky became a member of the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra where he remained until leaving the Soviet Union for the United States in 1977. Mr. Snitkovsky joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1977.

What you can expect from us
We will provide the highest quality instruction in violin, viola, cello and double bass. Your children will learn from the best teachers in the best learning environment, a university setting. We believe that music instruction should be available to every child and to that end we accept every child who applies.

We will interview every new student for placement with the appropriate teacher. We believe that a good match between a student and a teacher is extremely important to a successful and fulfilling learning experience.

For very young beginners, age 3-5, we recommend Suzuki instruction. By age 6-7, we recommend that a student begin or continue using the traditional method.

What We Expect From You
In order for this program to be successful we expect students and parents to be as committed to the work as our faculty. We expect students to practice daily and to complete all assignments given at the lesson. We expect students to take the appropriate musicianship classes and to demonstrate good progress. We suggest that parents attend all private lessons especially with young children and daily supervision of home practicing. Finally we suggest that each student or parent keep a practice journal.

Practice Time
The minimum time your child should practice each day at home:

6-7 years	30 minutes
8-10 years	45 minutes
11-18 years	60 minutes

Evaluation
All students will be continuously evaluated during an academic year. Each student will be expected to participate in recitals and to play required material from memory with technical command and musicianship. If at some point a change of teacher is deemed necessary an appropriate recommendation will be made to students and parents. The jury examination will take place toward the end of the year. First year beginners or first year transfer students may be excused from juries.

Elementary Level - Grades 1-4
Technique: Two octave scales in the key of choice, 3 or 4 notes on one bow (depending on edition used). Two octave arpeggios in the key of choice, 3 or 4 notes on one bow.

Repertoire: One Baroque or Classical piece, one piece from a different period.

Intermediate Level - Grades 5-8
Technique: Three octave scales in the key of choice, 6 or 8 notes on one bow (depending on the edition used). Three octave arpeggios in the key of choice.

Repertoire: One Baroque or Classical piece utilizing at least up to 3rd position. One piece from another period utilizing at least up to 3rd position.

Advanced Level - Grades 9-12
Technique: Three octave scales in the key of choice, 12 or 16 notes on one bow (depending on edition used). Three octave arpeggios in the key of choice.

Repertoire: One Baroque or Classical piece such as Bach Sonatas and Partitas. One piece from another period utilizing up to 5th position.

COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR BEGINNING VIOLIN

Violin Class
In a small and relaxed classroom setting, the 6 to 7 year-old beginner will learn basic information: correct hand position, how to read notes on the staff and simple rhythmic patterns. At the end of the 2nd semester all students will perform in recital. Following this year the student will be placed with a teacher for private instruction. A parent must attend the lesson and support home practice. The class will be taught by Peter Snitkovsky, Chair of the String Department and a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. As part of the program students will also take the appropriate Eurhythmics class and have 30 minutes in the computer lab.

STUDENT PERFORMANCES

The Performance Class
The weekly Performance Class is part of the core curriculum. The purpose of this class is to give students even more experience performing in public. We often hear "I played perfectly at home, but I don't know what happened on the stage." No matter how well the piece is prepared, the mind may play tricks during a performance. To avoid unfortunate mistakes and memory slips students must learn how to focus, direct their thinking process to artistic goals rather than the notes, and most importantly to project confidence. I always tell my students "Doubt and criticize every note when you practice, but be the greatest on stage". You can't recreate the performance environment at home or even at your lessons because of the lack of an audience. This is why this class is irreplaceable for every performing student.

Formal Recitals
In addition to the weekly Performance Class during the year we hold 3 formal recitals and 4 dedicated Suzuki Recitals.

Ensembles
All students will be offered a chance to participate in various ensembles: duets, trios, quartets etc. We feel it is crucial for a young musician's development to take part in ensemble playing.

YOUNG VIOLINISTS ENSEMBLE
Modeled after the famous Bolshoi Theater String Ensemble, this is an elective class for intermediate and advanced violin students. In this special training students will learn to perform in ensemble as soloists and learn special repertory. Participation is by audition. Ensemble will meet twice a month. Audition requirements upon request.

THE SUZUKI STRING PROGRAM
- Private Lesson
- Group Lesson

Joe Petron, Suzuki Program Coordinator
Developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki this is an approach to teaching the violin to very young children which can begin as early as 3-1/2 years. The program consists of a private lesson, a group lesson, a Eurhythmics class, and frequent recitals during the year.

Faculty

Peter Snitkovsky, Chair, Violin
Gregory Buyanover, Cello
Raul Faure, Viola and Violin
Betsy Heston, Double Bass
Jeff Irwin, Violin and Viola
Marian Irwin, Violin
Mary Moser, Violin
Joe Petron, Violin and Suzuki Coordinator
Misha Quint, Cello
Freya Samuels, Cello Chair, Chamber Music
Aaron White, Double Bass
Andrew Wickesberg, Viola and Violin
Rufina Yefimova, Violin

Effective June 1, 2011, CMC will begin processing Summer Tuition Payments online. Final tuition payments for the current academic year should continue to be processed through the CMC office.

Please note, credit card payments will be subject to a 2.55% prcessing fee. Payments by check or eCheck have no fee.

Access the payment site