Music School Program

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.

Eligibility

All children ages 7 – 13 years old are eligible to apply to the Music School and receive full merit-based scholarships. No prior experience or training in music is necessary to audition. The students are NOT asked to play an instrument or to demonstrate initial skills/training in music. The auditions are designed to identify students with innate aptitudes in pitch perception, rhythm, and physical coordination.

The Conservatory only awards merit-based scholarships in the Music School division. For tuition discounts in the Music Center division, please contact the office at 918.794.0330.

Audition

The Music School requires an entrance audition and interview from each student and his or her parent(s). The audition process for admission to the School is designed to identify students best suited for the Music School curriculum. While students need not have any prior experience or training in music, the auditions are designed to identify students with innate aptitudes in pitch perception, rhythm, and physical coordination, all of which are intrinsic to musical giftedness.

While musical aptitude is an extremely important component of the audition process, decisions to admit students to the Music School go beyond the simple assessment of musical giftedness.  The audition process also weighs other factors, including the student’s overall attitude, motivation, willingness to practice and desire to enroll in the Music School, and the parent or guardian’s ability to provide adequate supervision and moral support for the student’s musical growth.

Students who successfully pass the audition become candidates for the full, merit-based scholarships awarded to those admitted to the Music School.

Instrument Placement

At the initial audition, each student states his or her instrument preference. The final determination for instrument placement, however, is made after considering the faculty recommendations and scholarship availability on a particular  instrument.  

Admission

Prospective Music School parents and students are encouraged to visit the School, meet with the Directors and the staff, request observations of classes/lessons, attend rehearsals and concerts, and meet with current parents and students to gain an understanding of the program expectations and requirements. All prospective students are then asked to audition.

Curricula

The Music School offers a well-rounded curriculum comprised of bi-weekly individual instrument lessons, music theory, music history and ensemble/orchestra classes, concert attendance and portfolio documentation. The Director of Operations and the Music School Faculty collaboratively design the curriculum and set the requirements and expectations for each level in the Music School. This Handbook outlines important information and course requirements for all subjects taught at the Music School. 

• Instrument Instruction 
• Music Theory 
• Music History (2nd year and up)
• Ensemble (3rd  year and up; depending on progress)
• Concert Attendance 
• Portfolio documentation 

For more information about the Barthelmes Conservatory Music School, please download a copy of our handbook.