Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory

Below you will find descriptions of Merit’s Conservatory large ensembles and programs. Please note: Although grade level information is included to serve as a general guideline, students are placed according to their level of musicianship.

Students must audition for entrance into a specific ensemble or program. If accepted, they are required to participate in a comprehensive, daylong program consisting of a large ensemble, music theory class, musicianship/instrumental group class, weekly recital hour, and electives (chamber music, other large ensembles, composition, etc.).

BAND

CONCERT BAND

The Concert Band is the entry-level band for the Conservatory. It is comprised of up to 80 winds, brass, and percussion students who are generally in 6^th – 8^th grades.

SYMPHONIC BAND

The Symphonic Band is an advanced wind group. It is comprised of up to 80 wind, brass and percussion students who are generally in 8^th – 10^th grades. Programming consists of challenging high-school repertoire.

WIND SYMPHONY

The Wind Symphony is one of Merit’s premiere ensembles. The Wind Symphony provides a rigorous experience for talented and motivated young musicians, representing some of the finest wind playing in the country. It is comprised of up to 80 wind, brass and percussion students who are generally in 10^th – 12^th grades. Programming consists of modern and traditional repertoire, as well as new commissions. The Wind Symphony rehearses each Saturday, as well as each Tuesday evening.

ORCHESTRA

STRING ORCHESTRA

The Conservatory String Orchestra is an intermediate level ensemble. It is comprised of up to 50 violin, viola, cello, and bass students who are generally in 5^th – 10^th grades. Programming consists of modern and traditional string orchestra repertoire.

MERIT PHILHARMONIC

The Merit Philharmonic is Merit’s top orchestral experience for talented young musicians. It is comprised of up to 65 string, wind, brass, and percussion students who are generally in 9^th – 12^th grades. Programming consists of modern and traditional orchestral repertoire.

Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students interested in auditioning for the Merit Philharmonic must first be accepted into the Wind Symphony. Students who are accepted into the Conservatory at the Wind Symphony level may then audition in the fall for seating placement in Merit Philharmonic. 

PIANO

Spots in Merit’s Conservatory piano program are limited and highly competitive. Students participate in a variety of activities including piano duets, music theory, weekly recital hour, and studio class. Top pianists may also be required to participate in chamber ensembles. Because spots in the Conservatory piano program are so limited and competitive, pianists must re-audition each year.

GUITAR

Guitarists in the Junior or Senior Guitar Division participate in a comprehensive, daylong program consisting of theory, musicianship/instrumental group classes, weekly recital hour, guitar ensemble, and electives. Guitar students are generally in 7^th – 12^th grades.

VOICE

Voice students in the Conservatory are being accepted into a comprehensive, daylong program consisting of a large ensemble, theory, musicianship/vocal technique classes, weekly recital hour, and electives. Voice students are generally in 6^th – 12^th grades.

JAZZ

Students in Merit’s Jazz Division participate in a comprehensive, daylong program consisting of theory/improvisation, big band rehearsal (Concert Jazz Ensemble or Merit Jazz Ensemble), combo rehearsal, weekly recital hour, and electives. Jazz students are generally in 8^th – 12^th grades and have had several years of playing experience. Students in Merit’s Jazz Division have the opportunity to perform in many venues across the city of Chicago including the Chicago’s renowned Jazz Showcase.

CONCERT JAZZ ENSEMBLE

The Concert Jazz Ensemble is an intermediate level ensemble for Conservatory students that have a basic understanding of and experience with jazz performance styles and improvisation.  It is comprised of saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, drum-set, and vibraphone). This ensemble is recommended for students who are generally in 8^th to 10^th grades and have one to two years of jazz ensemble experience.

Conservatory students not majoring in Jazz Studies may be eligible to participate in this ensemble pending completion of a seating audition in the fall.

MERIT JAZZ ENSEMBLE

As the most advanced big band in the Jazz Studies department, the Merit Jazz Ensemble features the Conservatory’s most experienced Jazz Studies majors as well as upper-level Band students with considerable experience in jazz performance and improvisation. It is comprised of saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, drum-set, and vibraphone). This ensemble is recommended for students who are generally in 10^th to 12^th grades and have two to four years of jazz ensemble experience.

Conservatory students not majoring in Jazz Studies may be eligible to participate in this ensemble pending completion of a seating audition in the fall.

Through placement auditions, each student is provided a customized schedule resulting in 3 to 7 hours of weekly commitment.

CURRICULUM

• Music Theory
• Instrumental or Vocal Technique Classes
• Large Ensembles
• Live from Gottlieb—Weekly performances by world-class professional artists and Merit’s renowned faculty
• Electives

LARGE ENSEMBLES

• Concert Band
• Symphonic Band
• Wind Symphony
• String Orchestra
• Piano Studio Class
• Guitar Ensemble
• Merit Philharmonic
• Concert Choir
• Conservatory Choir
• Merit Jazz Ensemble
• Concert Jazz Ensemble

ELECTIVES

Elective options change from year to year and often include courses such as:

• Suzuki-Alegre Strings
• Chamber Music
• Composers Forum
• Jazz History and Listening
• Choir
• Jazz Ensembles
• Merit Brass Ensemble
• Merit Clarinet Ensemble
• Merit Trombone Choir
• Percussion Ensemble
• Trumpet Ensemble

JAZZ

Non-Jazz Studies Majors at the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony levels who would like to participate in a jazz ensemble as an elective will have the opportunity to complete a seating audition in the fall and will be placed based on instrumentation requirements and availability for Concert Jazz Ensemble and Merit Jazz Ensemble. Participation is contingent upon meeting all other core scheduling requirements, including theory classes, instrument technique classes and Live from Gottlieb, as well as the ensemble requirements for each student’s major division.

COMPETITIVE CHAMBER MUSIC 

Entrance to the competitive chamber music program is by audition. Learn teamwork and share musical ideas with your peers as you participate in weekly rehearsals and perform throughout the year at Merit concerts, schools and community centers, in chamber music competitions, and on television and radio programs.

COMPOSITION

In the Composers Forum elective, students study with renowned composition faculty and guest composers, and twice annually hear their compositions performed by professional musicians.

AUDITION INFORMATION 

Thank you for your interest in the Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory at the Merit School of Music! Merit holds auditions for its Conservatory in May each year for both classical and jazz programs. 

Audition times are now available to sign up. Please follow this link and sign up/create your ASAP account to reserve your time slot. 

2020/2021 Audition Days 

• May 2, 2020 (Wind Symphony, Merit Philharmonic, Guitar, & Piano) 
• May 9, 2020 (Symphonic Band, Concert Band, String Orchestra, Jazz, & Voice) 
• May 16, 2020 (Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz, & Voice) 

RETURNING STUDENTS 

All students currently enrolled in the 2019/2020 Conservatory MUST re-audition for re-admittance into the Conservatory for the 2020/2021 academic year. 

Returning students do NOT need to take a theory placement exam, nor complete a family interview. Returning students only need to complete an entrance audition.  

NEW STUDENTS 

Merit’s Conservatory is a comprehensive program that includes four main components: an instrument/vocal technique class, large ensemble, theory, and weekly recital hour. Upon acceptance students MUST participate in all aspects of the program.

Classes take place on Saturday and are held between 8:00am – 5:45pm. Students should expect to have at least a four to six hour day, depending on their level and program. (Note: Wind Symphony students also have ensemble rehearsals during the week.) 

New students must complete a successful audition to be accepted into the Conservatory. On audition day, students should plan to be at Merit for at least one hour. The audition process consists of a warm-up, audition, theory placement exam, and family interview. The family interview serves as an opportunity for prospective families to ask any specific questions and to ensure that students and families are prepared for the significant commitment required of all Conservatory students. A parent or guardian must be present with the student for the family interview. 

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS 

Audition requirements and repertoire for 2020/2021 are now available. Click here to view requirements. 

Note for Band, Jazz, String, and Voice Students: Carefully review the audition requirements for each large ensemble and choose to audition for the ensemble that is closest to your level of playing. Students must prepare all materials listed.

FOR ALL AUDITIONS

• All students should expect to be at Merit for at least an hour 
• Returning students: warm-up, audition 
• New students: warm-up, audition, theory placement exam, and family interview (parent/guardian must be present) 
• All auditions will be videotaped and reviewed by the appropriate ensemble conductor(s), instrumental instructor(s), and/or Department Chair(s) 

FOR MERIT PHILHARMONIC

Please note that Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students interested in Merit Philharmonic must first successfully audition into the Wind Symphony. Students who are accepted into the Conservatory at the Wind Symphony level will then be considered for Merit Philharmonic.

FOR PIANO

Please review the audition process on the Piano Audition Requirement page.

• Current 2019/2020 Conservatory Pianists: notify Merit that you will would like to re-audition for the program next year.  You will be scheduled for a live audition on May 2nd.
• New Pianists to the Conservatory: you are required to submit a prescreening video no later than April 1st.  A select number of students will be invited to participate in the live auditions on May 2nd.

SCHEDULE AN AUDITION 

Signups for the 2020/2021 entrance auditions are now available.  

If you are auditioning on multiple instruments, you must submit the Entrance Audition Request Form for EACH instrument. 

If you are auditioning for both classical and jazz programs, you must submit the Entrance Audition Request Form for EACH program. 

Please note: returning Conservatory students hoping to perform with a jazz ensemble as an elective do NOT need to audition in the spring. Auditions for placement in jazz ensembles as electives will be conducted in the fall. 

AUDITION RESULTS NOTIFICATION 

Audition results will be sent by email by June 6, 2020. 

If accepted, students will have until July 15, 2020 to confirm their acceptance and register for the Conservatory. To register, please contact Student Services. Please contact Amy Bischoff for any questions or concerns.