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Tulsa World (Oklahoma)
August 10, 2005 Wednesday
Community World - Midtown Edition
Conservatory builds on kids' musical abilities
Annie Gasparro World Staff Writer
As auditions for Barthelmes Conservatory's music school begin,
executive director Aida Aydinyan hopes to take the program to a
new level.
Aydinyan, who was raised in Armenia and became executive director last
summer, said she wants to incorporate the Armenian model of education
into the conservatory by focusing on the history and theory behind
the music her students perform.
"I brought with me a system of knowledge and a vision," she said.
"Music is much more than learning how to play a song."
Aydinyan organized the conservatory into two components: the music
center and the music school.
The music center provides private music lessons to students of all
ages and abilities.
"This area is more community-oriented -- no auditions or exams. We
have all ages come in, children and adults," Aydinyan said.
However, the music school is reserved for second- to sixth-graders
who demonstrate high musical aptitude.
The audition process consists of written and audio tone and rhythm
tests, an interview with the student and an interview with the parents.
"It is not based on skill," Aydinyan said. "It is based on initial
musical giftedness."
Aydinyan said the student does not need to know how to play an
instrument to audition.
"We are not performance oriented, but we're concentrating on the
process and enjoying the process," she said.
Selected students receive a full scholarship for a twice-weekly
after-school program where they learn music theory and receive
instrumental instruction.
"The whole idea of music school is that we can give an opportunity
to someone who would never otherwise be given musical instruction,"
Aydinyan said.
Last year, the school accepted 13 students.
This year, Aydinyan plans to expand by introducing a more advanced
program for second-year students that offers extra classes such as
music literature and orchestra.
But the school needs the funds to do so.
"The instructors recommended 10 of the students to continue, and we
will also have a new pool of students," she said. "So we are looking
for the general public to support us."
She said the conservatory receives grants from the Barthelmes
Foundation and will hold fundraisers.
Aydinyan said she hopes to start an "adopt-a-gifted-student" program
to get the rest of the community involved.
Christina Hardin, mother of two music center students, said the
instructors get the community involved by taking the students to play
at venues such as restaurants and nursing homes.
Hardin's children, Emma, 12, and Zac, 10, are taking weekly lessons
from music instructor Kevin Jackson.
"The key is learning when they're young, because whether you want
to play more seriously or for fun, it builds a foundation for high
school and anything after that," Jackson said.
Emma and Zac are auditioning for the music school.
Emma, learning the cello, and Zac, playing the double bass, have
influenced other children with their interest in music.
"Their friends came kind of snowballing once they saw that Zac and
Emma like it," Hardin said.
The conservatory also provides free string and drum instruction
to students at three Tulsa elementary schools as part of a talent
development program.
While at the schools, the instructors often find students who are
musically gifted and can encourage them to audition for music school.
For auditions or private lessons at Barthelmes Conservatory, call
794-0330.
August 10, 2005 Wednesday
Community World - Midtown Edition
Conservatory builds on kids' musical abilities
Annie Gasparro World Staff Writer
As auditions for Barthelmes Conservatory's music school begin,
executive director Aida Aydinyan hopes to take the program to a
new level.
Aydinyan, who was raised in Armenia and became executive director last
summer, said she wants to incorporate the Armenian model of education
into the conservatory by focusing on the history and theory behind
the music her students perform.
"I brought with me a system of knowledge and a vision," she said.
"Music is much more than learning how to play a song."
Aydinyan organized the conservatory into two components: the music
center and the music school.
The music center provides private music lessons to students of all
ages and abilities.
"This area is more community-oriented -- no auditions or exams. We
have all ages come in, children and adults," Aydinyan said.
However, the music school is reserved for second- to sixth-graders
who demonstrate high musical aptitude.
The audition process consists of written and audio tone and rhythm
tests, an interview with the student and an interview with the parents.
"It is not based on skill," Aydinyan said. "It is based on initial
musical giftedness."
Aydinyan said the student does not need to know how to play an
instrument to audition.
"We are not performance oriented, but we're concentrating on the
process and enjoying the process," she said.
Selected students receive a full scholarship for a twice-weekly
after-school program where they learn music theory and receive
instrumental instruction.
"The whole idea of music school is that we can give an opportunity
to someone who would never otherwise be given musical instruction,"
Aydinyan said.
Last year, the school accepted 13 students.
This year, Aydinyan plans to expand by introducing a more advanced
program for second-year students that offers extra classes such as
music literature and orchestra.
But the school needs the funds to do so.
"The instructors recommended 10 of the students to continue, and we
will also have a new pool of students," she said. "So we are looking
for the general public to support us."
She said the conservatory receives grants from the Barthelmes
Foundation and will hold fundraisers.
Aydinyan said she hopes to start an "adopt-a-gifted-student" program
to get the rest of the community involved.
Christina Hardin, mother of two music center students, said the
instructors get the community involved by taking the students to play
at venues such as restaurants and nursing homes.
Hardin's children, Emma, 12, and Zac, 10, are taking weekly lessons
from music instructor Kevin Jackson.
"The key is learning when they're young, because whether you want
to play more seriously or for fun, it builds a foundation for high
school and anything after that," Jackson said.
Emma and Zac are auditioning for the music school.
Emma, learning the cello, and Zac, playing the double bass, have
influenced other children with their interest in music.
"Their friends came kind of snowballing once they saw that Zac and
Emma like it," Hardin said.
The conservatory also provides free string and drum instruction
to students at three Tulsa elementary schools as part of a talent
development program.
While at the schools, the instructors often find students who are
musically gifted and can encourage them to audition for music school.
For auditions or private lessons at Barthelmes Conservatory, call
794-0330.