Registration begins for Youth Conservatory

One open house registration has been held, and a second open house approaches for Utah State University’s Youth Conservatory. Registration for the coming year takes place Tuesday, Aug. 28, from 6-8 p.m. in the lobby of the Kent Concert Hall in the Chase Fine Arts Center.

“Parents in Cache Valley have known for a long time what an innovative program and wonderful resource the Youth Conservatory is for young musicians,” said Brooke Reynolds, artistic director of the Youth Conservatory. “Now, the curriculum we have used in our classes for the past decade has been accepted for publication by one of the leading music publishers, Kjos Publications.”

Kjos Publications is based in San Diego, Calif., and is the publisher of some of the most well-known piano methods.

“The ‘Keyboard Gymnastic’ curriculum, which operated out of Laura Zisette’s basement in Logan’s island area for the first few years, is fast becoming a national standard for teaching musicianship,” Reynolds said.

While two of the Keyboard Gymnastic creators have relocated to Virginia and Arizona since the materials were first conceived around a kitchen table in Cache Valley, one of the three, Kathleen Lloyd, is still an active member of the Youth Conservatory community.

The Youth Conservatory offers weekly, 30-minute private piano lessons taught by piano majors at Utah State University. To supplement the 30-minute private lesson, students also participate in a one-hour group musicianship class.

“All students need to know the basic mechanics of music in order to become independent musicians,” Reynolds said. “The wonderful thing about musicianship classes is that music theory and music history are taught in an interactive group setting, using games and movement. Additionally, students develop friendships with peers who are also studying music and they realize that having to spend 30 minutes a day practicing is not an unusual punishment, but something that a part of the daily regimen of many other ‘cool’ kids.”

The curriculum and the musicianship classes are not the only things that make the Youth Conservatory the ideal program for piano study.

“We have weekly student recitals, open to any student who has a piece memorized and prepared for performance,” Reynolds said. “Some students make it a point to perform every month and they are becoming really fabulous performers.”

The Youth Conservatory also offers several annual performance opportunities.

“Our Monster Concert, held in February, is truly a highpoint for most students,” Reynolds said. “To perform with up to 40 other pianists simultaneously is a thrilling experience. Also, as part of an ensemble, students learn the importance of counting and listening. There really is a sense of accomplishment on the faces of the students as they bow after their performances. The question, ‘Can we do this next year?’ is heard over and over as they exit the hall.”

Tuition costs for the YC program are affordable, starting at less than $40 per month for the lesson and class option, Reynolds said. For families interested in private lessons only, tuition starts at $25 per month.

“It’s a rather small investment for an activity that’s proven to increase your child’s scholarly, creative and social abilities,” Reynolds concluded. “And, really, who doesn’t secretly wish they had taken piano lessons as a kid?”

More information about the Youth Conservatory and registration is available at http://www.usu.edu/ycpiano or by calling (435) 797-3018. Registration can also be completed over the phone for individuals unable to make the open house dates.