The Precollege Division provides an extensive variety of performance opportunities for our students. Performances include solo recitals, studio recitals, orchestra concerts, jazz concerts, opera workshop, musical theatre, chamber music, chorus, performance classes, concerto competitions, and more. All of our performances are free and open to the public.

For our Upcoming Precollege Events Calendar, click here.

Performance Groups

Large Ensembles
Students must audition for positions in the large ensembles and will be placed according to their ability. Assignment to all large ensembles are made by the Dean, in consultation with the conductors, and is based solely on audition.

• Philharmonic Orchestra
• Symphony Orchestra
• Repertory Orchestra
• Concert Orchestra
• Musical Theatre
• Opera Workshop
• Senior Select Chorus
• Manhattan Chorale
• Youth Chorus

Small Ensembles & Chamber Music
Brass, woodwind, percussion, flute, guitar, saxophone, double bass, and harp ensembles explore the various literature.

Chamber ensembles are an elective and placement is by the Precollege Administration. Pianists are required to audition for chamber music. Because of the difficulties in matching students by level and requests, there is no guarantee that all students will be placed in a chamber ensemble each semester. Pianists are permitted to take a chamber ensemble elective as the large performance ensemble in their basic tuition.

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Performance Classes

The Precollege Division stresses performance and thus offers several opportunities in the form of performance classes and concerts. Students are not required to attend each week, but they are always invited to listen.

Performers Showcase
Students are given the opportunity for individual and group performances. Performers Showcase takes place approximately once a month, and is open to the public. To sign up for a showcase, students will need to submit an agreement form to the Precollege office. We will begin accepting agreement forms two weeks before each scheduled showcase. Cards will not be accepted before this two-week window. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis.

To download a Performers Showcase Agreement Form, click here.

To download a Performers Showcase Chamber Group Agreement Form, click here.

Studio & Student Recitals
Studio recitals are an opportunity for students to perform with other members of their teacher's studio. Non-graduating student recitals and studio recital requests are submitted by the teacher.

A graduating senior is permitted, but not required, to schedule and perform an entire fifty-minute graduation recital. Graduating students must schedule their own senior recital by submitting a Senior Recital Application.

For information on how to schedule and submit a program for a senior recital, click here.

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Concert Attendance

Precollege students are required to attend two approved Precollege concerts a year in order to fulfill the Precollege concert attendance requirement. The Precollege encourages students to attend more than the minimum requirement each year.

For a list of approved concert attendance events, click here.

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Community Service

Precollege students are given the opportunity to volunteer on Saturdays to fulfill community service hours or for their own personal enrichment. Volunteer opportunities include: theory and ear training tutoring, performance opportunities, and audition day helpers. Precollege students interested in volunteering should email their name, age, instrument, and time they are available to volunteer on Saturdays to precollege@msmnyc.edu. If interested in theory and ear training tutoring, please provide your current theory and ear training level.

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Recording Studio

Recording Session

• For available private recording session times on Saturdays until 6 p.m., contact Heather Maclean in the Precollege office at hmaclean@msmnyc.edu.
• For session times Sunday – Friday and Saturday after 6 p.m., contact the recording & distance learning department at ext. 4075
• The Precollege Division or the recording & distance learning department will help you complete a recording request form that will be sent to the attention of the chief engineer of Myers Recording Studio to be processed.
• Within approximately five business days of receipt of request form, you will receive a confirmation call as to whether the studio will be able to honor your recording request. A copy of your request form will also be mailed to you.

Recital Recordings

• Students may request to have their recitals recording by submitting a Recital Recording Request Form to the Precollege office. The Recital Recording Request Form can be downloaded by clicking here.
• Recital recordings are only available for recitals on designated Recording Saturdays. For the 2010-2011 school year, Recording Saturdays occur on Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 12, March 19, March 26, April 9, April 16, April 30, and May 14.
• Submitting the Recital Recording Request Form does not guarantee a student a recital recording. The form will be sent to the attention of the chief engineer of Myers Recording Studio to be processed. Within approximately five business days of receipt of request form, you will receive a confirmation call as to whether the studio will be able to honor your recording request. A copy of your request form will also be mailed to you.

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