The 2023-24 application is now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied!
The 2023-24 application is now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied!
The Seattle Conservatory of Music is a program of Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra that provides a continuum of learning for students who are passionate about music. Through a full curriculum of music—academic and performance opportunities—Seattle Conservatory of Music musicians expand their knowledge and appreciation for music and art.
The Conservatory serves a vital role: to create well-rounded musicians through academic and performance opportunities that enrich all musical disciplines. A Seattle Conservatory of Music student is equipped with the tools to succeed in their school orchestra, band, choir, or any other musical endeavor they may pursue.
The Seattle Conservatory of Music’s curriculum consists of Academic Studies (Musicianship Skills, Music Composition, and Collegiate Preparation) and Chamber Music Studies. The Seattle Conservatory of Music is a highly customizable and versatile program, offering a wide range of programs for students of all ages and of varied musical background. Recommended curriculum and placement tests are available upon request.
All instrumentalists and vocalists are encouraged to apply.
For more information and to schedule a visit, contact SCM Program Manager Gabriela Garza: gabriela.garza@syso.org.
2023-24 Chamber Music Recitals
Sunday, December 3 | Shorewood Auditorium | 12PM & 4PM
Sunday, March 10 | Shorewood Auditorium | 12PM & 4PM
Sunday, May 12 | Tagney Jones Recital Hall at Seattle Opera | 12PM & 4PM
Chamber recitals are free and open to the general public.
2023-24 Collegiate Preparatory Outreach Performances
Sunday, November 5 | Aegis Living, Shoreline | 1PM
Sunday, December 10 | Horizon House | 2pm
Sunday, January 28 | Aegis Living, Shoreline | 1pm
Sunday, March 3 | Skyline at First Hill | 3pm
Sunday, March 31 | UW Medicine | time TBD
Collegiate Preparatory performances are closed to the general public.
**For a comprehensive syllabus of these courses, or for any questions, please contact SCM Manager, Gabriela Garza at gabriela.garza@syso.org
(NEW IN 2023-24) EXPLORING CONDUCTING
This course is designed to provide students with leadership fundamentals needed in order to explore the art of conducting. Main areas of study are: Theoretical learning, technique, and observational learning. Throughout the year, students will learn about score reading, conducting history, rehearsal and baton technique, piano reduction skills, and more. Students will have the opportunity to conduct either in a piano-conductor setting or a chamber ensemble, as well as the opportunity to observe rehearsals from various orchestras and ensembles.
MUSICIANSHIP
Musicianship is a course designed to train musicians in History, Ear Training, and Theory. Musicianship aims to complement and enrich a student’s musical experience by exploring in great detail the fundamentals of Western concert music. This allows students a deeper understanding and appreciation of the pieces they perform on their instruments, and will encourage a stronger affinity for the art of music. Musicianship students do not need to play an instrument, but it is highly recommended.
This course has three levels:
COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY
Collegiate Preparatory is a course geared toward students—instrumentalists, vocalists and composers—who are either considering auditioning for a music conservatory, or are looking for a more intensive performance experience. Students will rehearse regularly with a high-level collaborative pianist, perform often in class, offer feedback to peers, take juries & mock auditions, and perform at 5 community outreach concerts throughout the year. It is the goal of this class to provide detailed and individualized guidance for students regarding the collegiate and conservatory selection and audition processes.
COMPOSITION
Composition is a course which presents & explores concepts needed in order to create musical compositions. Topics included are: music notation principles, full-score writing, instrumentation, exploration & analysis of a variety of techniques and styles used by composers throughout history and today. As part of this class, students will attend one masterclass with a guest composer and a workshop focused on a selected topic (for example, film scoring or video game music). Additionally, composition students will be guided through their final project, which consists of writing a music composition aimed to be performed by Conservatory’s chamber music students and conducted by Conservatory’s conducting students during their final recital in May 2024.
CHAMBER MUSIC STUDIES
Chamber Music is a program that matches students in appropriately-leveled small groups with the goal of learning, rehearsing, and performing a variety of repertoire in three public recitals throughout the year. Students are matched with peers based on age, skill level and instruments represented across the program. Every chamber group receives one hour of weekly instruction by local professional musicians, and performs in three—sometimes four—public performances throughout the year. Playing in a chamber group setting offers students the opportunity to strengthen their musical abilities by developing in-depth listening skills, non-verbal communication, and a more thorough understanding of musical compositions. Click here to find audition information for the 2023-24 season.
Conservatory instruction will take place on Saturdays from 9:00am-4:00pm at Kellogg Middle School in Shoreline, WA.
The 2023-24 schedule is yet to be finalized. Courses are scheduled so students should not need to choose between the Academic Year Orchestra Program and the Conservatory. Check back closer to the season start date for the specific schedule.
2023-24 Chamber Music Recitals
Sunday, December 3 | Shorewood Auditorium | 12PM & 4PM
Sunday, March 10 | Shorewood Auditorium | 12PM & 4PM
Sunday, May 12 | Tagney Jones Recital Hall at Seattle Opera | 12PM & 4PM
Chamber recitals are free and open to the general public.
2023-24 Collegiate Preparatory Outreach Performances
Sunday, November 5 | Aegis Living, Shoreline | 1PM
Sunday, December 10 | Horizon House | 2pm
Sunday, January 28 | Aegis Living, Shoreline | 1pm
Sunday, March 3 | Skyline at First Hill | 3:30pm
Sunday, March 31 | UW Medicine | time TBD
Collegiate Preparatory performances are closed to the general public.
The 2023-24 application is now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied!
Step One – Register
Step Two – You will be contacted by SYSO with the following information depending on the program or course:
Musicianship – we will follow up with you to help determine the most appropriate level prior to enrollment (Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced)
Chamber Music – Placement into Chamber Music is not guaranteed. It is dependent on enrollment numbers and scheduling availability. You will be contacted by SYSO about what group we were able to place you in. If it is not possible to be placed into a chamber group, the application fee will be refunded.
Collegiate Prep – Acceptance is contingent upon review of a student’s submitted audition materials.
2023-24 Tuition Rates
Chamber Music – $1275
Musicianship – $1475
Composition – $1475
Collegiate Preparation – $2700
(NEW!) Exploring Conducting – $1475
Tuition Assistance
Ample tuition assistance is available to all students enrolled in our programs who demonstrate need. Families will request assistance upon receiving their enrollment email in late August/early September. We encourage any families who may need assistance to apply. Please do not hesitate to reach out to info@syso.org for more information.
Seattle Conservatory of Music educators are locally-based professional musicians committed to enriching a student’s education through unique and personalized teaching methods.
JUAN FELIPE MOLANO
Music Director – Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra
Instructor – Exploring Conducting
MARK SALMAN
Director of Academic Studies
Instructor – Collegiate Preparation
JOSEPH GOTTESMAN
Director of Chamber Music Studies
JOHN LEE
Collaborative Pianist
LAUREN HALSEY
Instructor – Musicianship
GUSTAVO BERHO
Instructor – Musicianship
ADAM HAWS
Instructor – Composition
JOSEPH WHITE
Chamber Music Coach
SEAN OSBORN
Chamber Music Coach
LAUREN MCSHANE
Chamber Music Coach
BRIAN SCHAPPALS
Chamber Music Coach
SUE JANE BRYANT
Chamber Music Coach
ELISA CLEGG
Chamber Music Coach
LISA LEWIS
Chamber Music Coach
YANG LU
Chamber Music Coach
Questions? Please reach out to Gabriela Garza at gabriela.garza@syso.org.
(New in 2023-24) Exploring Conducting Syllabus
Intro to Musicianship Course Syllabus (2022-23)
Composition Course Syllabus (2022-23)
Collegiate Preparatory Course Syllabus (2022-23)
Syllabi for 2023-24 courses will be posted by July 1.
Check back soon for the student handbook for the 2023-24 season.
Audition Guidelines
Click here to find audition guidelines for the 2023-24 season.
Audition Recording
Download the video submission instructions.
For SYSO’s most up-to-date COVID policies and procedures, click here.
Opportunities for student musicians at Seattle Conservatory of Music are made possible through generous support from the Ben Faigin Music Opportunity Fund.
Founded in 1942, Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra is the largest youth orchestra training program in the United States.