Music Programs

BLOOMINGDALE ORCHESTRA PROGRAM

NEW FOR 2024!

Bloomingdale School of Music is proud to launch a new chamber orchestra program designed to accommodate students of all ages and playing levels at the most affordable prices in New York City. Three levels of mixed instrumental ensembles provide a fun and expertly coached introduction to orchestra skills for current Bloomingdale musicians as well as students and adult amateurs in the community. Give your private lessons student the added benefit of learning to perform great music alongside their peers.

BENEFITS OF PLAYING IN AN ORCHESTRA

Engaging music students in orchestral settings fosters teamwork, refining their musical skills collaboratively. The experience cultivates listening and performing within a shared sense of community, the basis for a well-rounded instrumental education.

DEVELOP ENSEMBLE SKILLS

Practice blending and synchronizing in tune with fellow players.

ACTIVE LISTENING

Promote listening while following a leader in interpreting a variety of classic genres.

SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Create friendships in a shared environment of music-making.

BEGINNER CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Open by Audition for ages 8-11
Repertoire Level – NYSSMA Level 1 & 2

*Currently accepting students for Fall 2024 Enrollment*

Open to string, brass, woodwind, and percussion students. 

Players learn how to play in an ensemble setting while following a conductor, learn the importance of playing together as one, balancing sound, matching pitch and tone, and perform at the end of the semester.

Conductor:
Ling Lopez

Schedule:
Thursdays 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Concert Date:
Sunday, January 26th

Price: 
$561.00 per 17 week semester

Audition Requirements:
– 1 solo piece that shows your best technical level
– 2 major scales one octave up and down

Students must audition before registering, either in person or by submitting a video recording. Select your preferred audition option for the Beginner Chamber Orchestra at the button below.

For More Details Contact:
Conrad Chu
Orchestra & Chamber Music Coordinator
clchu@bsmny.org

INTERMEDIATE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Open by Audition for ages 10-14
Repertoire Level – NYSSMA Level 3 & 4

*Currently accepting students for Fall 2024 Enrollment*

Open to string, brass, woodwind, and percussion students. 

Students with experience at their instruments for two years or more will join peers playing orchestral works new and old, make music in coordination with their instrumental sections and the wider orchestra setting, and perform at the end of the semester. 

Conductor:
Conrad Chu

Schedule:
Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:45pm

Concert Date:
Sunday, January 26th

Price: 
$561.00 per 17 week semester

Audition Requirements:
– 1 solo piece that shows your best technical level
– 2 scales in two octaves up and down (both may be major and/or minor)
– Sightreading

Students must audition before registering, either in person or by submitting a video recording. Select your preferred audition option for the Intermediate Chamber Orchestra at the button below.

For More Details Contact:
Conrad Chu
Orchestra & Chamber Music Coordinator
clchu@bsmny.org

ADVANCED CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Open by Audition for ages 13 and up
Repertoire Level – NYSSMA Level 5+

*Currently accepting students for Fall 2024 Enrollment*

Bloomingdale’s Advanced Chamber Orchestra is the school’s premier orchestral training ensemble and is now open by audition to students age 13 through adult who have studied their instrument three years or more and are ready to play the standard orchestra repertoire.  

Students will explore a range of repertoire from romantic and baroque classical to modern compositions written for this style of group, in formats both with or without a conductor.

Conductor:
Conrad Chu

Schedule: 
Thursdays 4:30pm-5:45pm

Concert Date:
Sunday, January 26th

Price: 
$561.00 per 17 week semester

Audition Requirements:
– 2 solo pieces contrasting in musical period, tempo, or playing style
– 1 major scale and 1 minor scale, in two octaves up and down
– Sightreading

Students must audition before registering, either in person or by submitting a video recording. Select your preferred audition option for the Advanced Chamber Orchestra at the button below.

For More Details Contact:
Conrad Chu
Orchestra & Chamber Music Coordinator
clchu@bsmny.org

A WELCOME FROM CONDUCTOR OF ORCHESTRAS CONRAD CHU

“Learning to play in an orchestra, band or other large ensemble should form an integral part of any young instrumentalist’s development.  Among music educators, this notion is never a matter of debate, but for today’s families faced with a sometimes bewildering choice of afterschool extracurriculars, the value of playing in an ensemble for young musicians deserves special emphasis.  Speaking as a musician who grew up learning the clarinet, some of the most valuable and cherished experiences I had in my training came from performing in my hometown school orchestra.  In my lessons, I wrestled with taming a sometimes wayward instrument, that squeaked and squawked and didn’t always do what you expected.  But playing among a band of peers taught me that these challenges are common to players of all instruments, and by collaborating in the learning process and practicing how to listen, blend and coordinate together, everyone gained a feel for cooperative music-making that one simply can’t get studying alone in lessons.  I invite you to take advantage of Bloomingdale’s exciting new focus on ensembles to inspire and broaden your student’s musical interests through the wonderful world of orchestral music.” – Conrad Chu, Conductor

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