Music Courses
Central Conservatory Preparatory School (CCPS) is recognized as one of the best pre-professional schools for young musicians all over the world. Located in the cultural center of Beijing, CCPS prepares young artists for rewarding careers and fosters their academic excellence. Music students benefit from personal care, music theory classes, numerous performance opportunities with various sizes of ensembles and outstanding peer groups. A combination of private lessons, studio classes and ensemble experience help students get prepared for a future study in music.
Music department offers the following major areas of study:
1) Instrumental music: brass, woodwinds, strings, keyboards, and percussion.
2) Vocal music
3) Composition
4) Conducting
Course of Study by Instrument & Specialty
Instrumental Music Category：bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, euphonium, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, percussion instrument, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin.
This course focuses on the fundamental basic technique of the instrument development of expression and musicality, solo and ensemble performance skills and knowledge of genres and styles of music. Students are expected to practice a minimum of two hours per day on the assigned lesson materials. The learning outcome and progress of students are demonstrated in private lessons, studio class performances, and the semester jury. Student studying instrument performance are required not only many hours of individual practice, but also numerous hours of listening to solo, chamber and orchestral repertoire, theoretical analysis of lesson assignments, and participating in numerous ensembles of various sizes to acquire the skills needed to distinguish themselves. Despite the fact that each student learns at different paces, there is a specific standard of technical studies, scales and arpeggios that have to be achieved by them when they graduate. Studio Class is also an important aspect of the course. The purposes of the studio classes are to give students the experience of performing in front of each other, learn from each other and improve their technique, intonation and musicality. The studio classes also develop camaraderie among members of the studio. The student and faculty work toward short and long term goals including recitals, college auditions and career choices.
1) Instrument Music Private Lesson & Studio Performance Training
2) Music Theory & Music Technique Course
3) Master Class & Open Classes
4) Orchestra Class
5) Chamber Music Study
6) Performance Practice
7) Solo Concert
8) Academic Requirements Scheduled for Entering Universities
Course of Study by Composition
CCPS offers student composers a program of pre-professional music training and college preparatory academics. Music composition students graduate well-prepared for the rigors of study at the university and conservatory level. The individualized program encourages students to cultivate their own unique and creative expression, while becoming familiar with important trends in 20th and 21st century music. The student and the instructor seek to develop short-term and long-term goals. The focus in the course is on the student’s ability to combine the elements of music (melody, harmony, texture, etc.) into cohesive and performable works. A student demonstrates his or her progress by completing pieces of high quality and by having those pieces performed. Listening assignments, score study assignments, discussion of college choices, portfolio preparation and career goals, may augment the scope of the lesson. It is recommended that students reserve a large block of time (three hours or more) several times each week for individual composition.
1) Composition
2) Music theory and musicianship
3) Master Class & Open Class
4) Appropriate Chorus, Ensembles & Other Practices
5) Piano or Instrument Courses (if lacking sufficient keyboard skills, students are required to take lessons or a piano class)
6) Works Practices (Presentation of works at least two each year)
7) Personal Works Concert
8) Academic Requirements Scheduled for Entering Universities
Some Explanation Of The Music Courses
1) Music Theory Courses
Music theory classes offer instruction in musicianship skills essential for the serious music student. The class objectives are to provide complete and thorough training in all basic musicianship skills; to offer advanced, college-level theory for the highly motivated student; and to stimulate and encourage exploration of the creative process through composition of concert art music ("classical").
The AP course provided by CCPS is the first case in mainland China and CCPS is the only domestic school that has registered in the US College Board and acquired examination qualification.
2) Music Basics Courses
This course is designed for the music major with little or no formal music theory training. The student will be introduced to basic written theory, sight-singing with solfeggio, auditory skills and basic piano skills.
3) CCPS Ensemble Course
·Chamber Music & Orchestra
CCPS pays particular attention to the training of chamber music and ensemble. Emphasis is on the basics of fine ensemble playing, intonation, phrasing and balance through regular rehearsals and frequent performances.
The orchestra studies and presents challenging repertoire in the annually held concerts and frequently collaborate with guest artists and conductors. Wind and percussion students are placed into either Orchestra or Band based on audition at the beginning of the semester, such as wind quintet, clarinet quartet or flute quartet and brass quintet. String majors will be formed in quartets and string trios, and are coached by string faculty through intensified reading, study, rehearsal and performance of chamber music with emphasis on the string quartet. Pianists are selected by invitation only. Participation is determined by audition, sight-reading skills, overall musicianship, and the availability of other instrumentalists to form piano-based ensembles.
·Choir
We perform multiple concerts each year with repertoire that includes works from a diverse range of styles, time periods and composers. Choir is a requirement for all voice majors. It is also open to all students with the permission of the instructor.
·Percussion Ensemble
Our ensemble performs music from the baroque period through the twentieth century. Melodic and non-melodic instruments are stressed equally.