Barthelmes Conservatory History
The Barthelmes Conservatory was founded in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its sole purpose is to provide music education for the larger Tulsa community. The Conservatory was made possible through the legacy of Dr. and Mrs. Albert Barthelmes, who came to the U.S. from Germany in the late 30s on the eve of World War II. Musicians themselves, they, with other early Tulsa arts supporters, founded the Tulsa Philharmonic.
In 2004, the Conservatory adopted the refined and prestigious, century-old Russian “Musica Schola” known for its rigorous and comprehensive training. The students learn the technical and musical skills needed to make any instrument a vehicle for self-expression and enjoyment. In addition, the Russian model not only encourages progressive mastery of technical skills, but also the conventions governing the expression of emotions in performance through work privately and in ensembles.
The Music School is a competitive and scholarship-base program for young students with a commitment to perform and excel on piano, cello, violin, viola, bass, and flute. Music School students have more involvement in the music community through the Conservatory's cooperative efforts, such as its collaborations with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Tulsa, Tulsa Youth Symphony, Tulsa Ballet, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, Montessori Learning Academy, Tulsa Children's Chorus, and the German-American Society of Tulsa, among others. Along with our students, the greater Tulsa community is served with opportunities to attend free public concerts at Conservatory’s Open Concerts, Faculty and Student Recitals, and Barthelmes Trio’s performances and community organizations concert visitations.
The Music Center offers superior private music lessons for piano, cello, violin, viola, bass, flute, African drums, and guitar for all ages and abilities. Classes are minimally fee-based. Many Music Center students, ages eight to thirteen, are able to go from their Center lessons to competitive audition and acceptance into Music School. Early Childhood Education classes are offered for parents and infants and toddlers as part of the Music Center. They introduce our youngest community members to the joy of listening and responding to sound and instruments. Creative Aging Programs are available for the life-long learner, as well.
Significantly, the Barthelmes Conservatory partners with the Tulsa Public Schools to provide strings, drums, and guitar programs in eight of TPS’s most challenged schools. Multiple age groups are given two group lessons weekly by experienced and inspiring instructors. Funding through use of Conservatory instruments and salaries of Conservatory-employed music faculty help these critical programs survived year after year.
We operate with a budget of $600,000 annually. We rely on earned income from the Music Center and Early Childhood Programs and generous foundation and corporate support, private donors, along with the individual support of parents and families of our Music School students who contribute to the overall Scholarship Fund.
