Open House for USU Youth Conservatory Registration
Utah State University’s Youth Conservatory opens its 33rd year with two open house information and registration nights for fall semester sessions. The Youth Conservatory is the Department of Music’s long-running piano study program for young musicians.
Open house registration sessions are Tuesday, Aug. 17, and again Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 6-8 p.m. in the couirtyard area at the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center on the USU campus (southwest corner of 700 N. 1200 East, Logan). In case of inclement weather, the registration will be moved inside to the foyer location.
Fall semester classes at the YC begin Tuesday, Sept. 7.
The Youth Conservatory offers private piano lessons and group musicianship classes for children and young people ages 4-18. Students of all stages of musical development are welcome.
“The open house sessions allow us to match students with one of the nearly 50 faculty we have in the conservatory program,” said Kevin Olson, who joins the Youth Conservatory as director this year after teaching 13 years in the Chicago area. “Whatever the student’s age or level of playing, we work to find the perfect teacher for that student.”
The Youth Conservatory was founded in 1978 by internationally recognized piano pedagogue Gary Amano, head of the piano program at USU. Its mission is to train teachers in the traditions of the great pianists and provide the Cache Valley with high quality, enjoyable and affordable piano instruction, Olson said.
National recognition for the Youth Conservatory is reflected in a recent review by the National Association of Schools of Music, which called the program a strength of the Music Department at USU. “The program has been a model for the state and Intermountain area,” the review said.
Olson said there are a variety of instructional options available to YC students.
“Students can choose to enroll only in weekly 30-minte private lessons, but we recommend that they also participate in weekly 55-minute musicianship class where they study music theory, ear training, composition and music history — things that can’t be covered in a half-hour private lesson,” he said.
Combining group study and private lessons leads to an enhanced learning experience, Olson said.
“Participating in group classes gives students a social component of music study,” he said. “I think it’s motivating for students to interact with other musicians at their same age and musical background. And the musicianship classes teach these concepts through games, which adds an element of fun to their study.”
Performance events are offered throughout the year, providing goals for the students.
“There are performing opportunities throughout the year, but the major ones are at Halloween, Christmas and in the spring,” Olson said. “The students and faculty all get involved with each, and the result is pretty exciting. The biggest event is probably our Monster Concert which involves getting 20 pianos on the Kent Concert Hall stage with up to 40 students playing the pianos simultaneously. You can imagine the big sound that makes. For many students it’s the highlight of the year.”
Lessons and classes are held at the Chase Fine Arts Center at USU, and the Youth Conservatory provides parking passes for parents that allow parking in the lot west of the building after 3 p.m. on lesson and class days.
Olson encourages anyone to attend the open house registration, including those who are only seeking information.
“These registration events are opportunities for people to find out more about our program here,” he said. “There’s no obligation and we’re happy to answer any questions.”
Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the registration sessions, especially if they are enrolling in the Youth Conservatory for the first time to facilitate the process of matching students to teachers.
Additional information about the Youth Conservatory is available online (www.usu.edu/ycpiano) or by calling (435) 797-3018.