Music Philosophy
Being a musician entails more than mastering a particular instrument. The complete musician is a music-maker who is competent in sight-reading, knowledgeable of music theory and composition, and who has an understanding and appreciation of orchestral instruments (e.g., percussion, saxophone, clarinet, flue, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, etc.) and of nature’s oldest instrument, the human voice. To develop these skills, students attend weekly one-on-one lessons with their instructors. To further perfect these skills, all music students— whether instrumentalists or vocalists and regardless of their chosen instrument, must participate in a vocal chorus and.or a music ensemble.
Music Education
The Conservatory's music program is part of the Pre-Professional Division. As such, students are required to take weekly lessons (either in a group setting or privately) and participate in the semester-end studio demonstration. Additionally, all students enrolled in the music program who are 8 years and older must take part in the youth choir. There is no additional fee for the youth choir.
To learn more, jump to our Pre-Professional Division page HERE.
Instrument Lessons
Lessons in the following instruments are available.
Voice
Violin
Viola
Cello
Piano
Clarinet
Saxophone
Trumpet
French horn
Areas of Study
Classical
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Music students at Guam Conservatory of Arts receive classical training through their private lessons and through participation in two performance vehicles: the chorus and the orchestra. The chorus is a natural outlet for students to use their voices to create beautiful and complex choral sounds whilst gaining a deep understanding of the structure of classical arrangements. The other vehicle, the orchestra, is the foundation of the Conservatory’s comprehensive approach to music training and involves every student whether a vocalist or an instrumentalist.
Area of Study
Jazz
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Music students receive jazz training through their participation in the Conservatory’s big band and in various smaller jazz “combo” groups. Jazz is an evolutionary art form best taught by instructors who have performance experience and who can hand down trade skills not learned from text books. The jazz teachers at Guam Conservatory of Arts consists of instructors who perform live in Guam’s local music scene. Off-island visiting artists, performers and instructors are regularly recruited to conduct clinics and workshops.
To learn more, jump to our Pre-Professional Division page HERE.