 Why study at El Paso Conservatory of Music?
The El Paso Conservatory of Music and Community Music School, founded in 2004, is constantly expanding its programs, increasing faculty and developing musical offerings to the residents of El Paso. School Director Prentice Loftin credits the fast growth to its dedication to providing convenient, top quality and comprehensive instruction to its students, as well as its central, and now also Westside, easily accessible locations, both on Interstate 10.
My child is a total beginner without any musical experience...or... I am an adult singer, but can't read music and have had no training? Is there a place for me at the Conservatory?
Yes. Our school is adding two divisions to the Conservatory – the Preparatory Division for children and the Adult Division for the older continuing education type of student. The younger student can experiment with different instruments and music classes, while adult students can take classes and enroll in private lessons for self enrichment as well as to develop music skills to be used in local music groups, such as church choirs and theatre. The Conservatory Division will continue to be for the more serious and advanced students, and will require a successful audition or a teacher recommendation. Preparatory and Adult students will not be required to enter the Conservatory Division. “Music should be experienced by all children and adults. It encourages creativity as well as sensitivity and order,” says Loftin. Studies have shown that classical music training assists in the development of complex thinking skills such as mathematics. Why choose El Paso Conservatory of Music faculty? The El Paso Conservatory of Music faculty loves to work with young kids and adults, and at the same time they are the region’s finest professional performers and teachers. They travel not only to perform, but to judge major festivals and competitions as well as teach master classes. Twenty one faculty have Master of Music degrees, 6 have Doctorate of Music degrees, while almost all have many years of experience as university and college music professors. Many El Paso Conservatory faculty have connections throughout the country and overseas that can assist student beyond getting scholarships in music conservatories and universities. Some faculty will eventually become ongoing mentors to their students. To see more about the faculty, go to the Faculty Page. How does the Conservatory distinguish itself from other local music schools? The Young Ladies Choir and its director, Yvonne Marmolejo, recently received one of the highest musical honors in the U.S., and was featured on National Public Radio’s show From The Top Oct. 25, 2009. All 20 girls in the choir have been awarded a $7,500 scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music. Natanya Washer, from the studio of Yvonne Marmolejo and a senior in high school, was awarded the From the Top $10,000 Jack Kent Cook scholarship – she is one of a hundred U.S. students ever to receive the award and the first female singer ever. Also, out of over 300 singers, EPCoM’s Natanya Washer, Victoria Rodriguez, Alrick Chavez and Marcus Robles-Warnick were 4 of the 5 El Paso students to make the TMEA All-State Choir this year. Loftin’s 5th grade student, Samuel Juarez, received a scholarship to the American Boy Choir School, where he will be a member of the USA’s premier choir for young boys. Also in May, Loftin’s adult student Tim Thompson won the El Paso’s Got Talent competition and was on the televised Texas finals of America’s Got Talent. Lesley Chen’s senior high school violin student Jensine Caranto was featured as concerto soloist with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. She is a three time All-State member and is concertmaster of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra. Why does EPCoM offer such an extensive program? By the time students are 12, 13, 14 years old, some are ready to think and work at what would be seen by many as a collegiate level. Our most advanced high school students are already orchestrating scores for full orchestra while voice students in their fourth year will now take a year of French repertoire and diction. They have already had one year each of English, Italian (also Spanish and Latin), and German. With the high skill levels needed today to be successful in music, it is important that El Paso music students have all of the “advantages” we can give them. Why study in this musical environment? At EPCoM, loving classical music, jazz, and pop is the norm; not the exception. Many students at the Conservatory say that they have found their home, a place where they “fit in,” can be themselves and feel comfortable while excelling in music with those around them. For many of our students, Saturday is their favorite day… the day they get to be with friends that are like them – totally into music. We love what we do … teachers and students. Music has given our lives so much joy and meaning. The Conservatory faculty wants to “give back” to the students, some measure of what we have received. |
