Pre-College Preparatory is a weekly three-hour program (from 10:00am-1:00pm) that takes place on most Saturdays during the school year. The program is carefully designed with the purpose of immersing young musicians in an environment that is inspiring and welcoming, but also challenging and educational.

Like Pre-College, the Preparatory program will provide students with high quality, conservatory-style training, and will include weekly theory and ear training, chamber group rehearsals and/or coachings, orchestra, and workshops.

Students are also expected to attend masterclasses presented by our guest artists throughout the year. Each semester will culminate in community engagement performances and two formal concerts will be presented in the Spring.

Pre-College Preparatory is for any student who wants to develop their musical and technical skills, expand their education, and to build a higher level of playing through the year-long curriculum.

Prep students will have the opportunity to collaborate with Pre-College students and faculty in performance classes and masterclasses. Group ensembles will also be combined with Pre-College students and Colburn Conservatory students.

Pianists, violinists, violists, cellists, classical guitarists and flutists ages 7 and up are welcome to apply.

Students will audition live at Fried Music in downtown Alhambra on Saturday, August 23. No piano accompaniment is required for string players.

Note: This program is not designed to replace private lessons. Students are required to study with a teacher privately (either FM faculty or another teacher), in order to participate in our Pre-College Preparatory Program.

The $125 Prep/JCM registration fee is non-refundable.

Total Tuition for both programs:
Full Year (approximately 30 Saturdays): $2,745

Breakdown of Tuition:
Junior Chamber Music Tuition: $695

1. Eight chamber music coachings

2. Chamber Music Competition with monetary awards and performance opportunities

3. Concerto Competition exclusively for JCM participants

4. Two workshops and one masterclass with celebrated pedadogues/musicians

5. Formal concert at Glendale City Church with professional video/audio recording

Pre-College Prep Tuition: $2,050

1. Eight additional chamber music coachings

2. Weekly ear training/theory class

3. Guided and scheduled chamber music rehearsals (a TA will support the students in their rehearsing)

4. Space and scheduling provided for all 16 chamber music coachings and rehearsals

5. Community engagement performance opportunities

6. Access to all classes offered to our Pre-College students, such as additional masterclasses, performances classes, and more

7. Formal concert at Colburn’s Zipper Hall with professional video/audio recording

*Financial aid and payment plans are available upon request and based on both merit and need.

The Preparatory program will provide students with conservatory-style training, and will include weekly theory and ear training, chamber music and orchestra rehearsals and/or coachings, and workshops. Students are also expected to attend masterclasses presented by our guest artists throughout the year.

Community engagement concerts around the area will be organized throughout the semester. Students will be able play solo and/or chamber music, depending on their preparedness for these special opportunities.

Sample Schedule 

10:00am-10:50pm Theory/Ear Training

11:00am-11:50am Ensemble Rehearsal/Coaching

12:00pm-1:00pm Ensemble Rehearsal/Coaching or Orchestra

The sample schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the students (for example, performance classes, guided practice time, and more may be scheduled instead).

We understand that there are sometimes complicated commitments with outside schools/institutions that will require students to miss a day of Prep. Students will not be reimbursed or credited for missing Saturday sessions. If students are unable to attend most, if not all, of our Pre-College Prep dates, we would not recommend participation in our program. This is due to the nature of ensemble playing. Students should be on time and ready to start by 10:00am. Participation in the final concerts is absolutely mandatory.

All chamber music groups created through Pre-College Preparatory will also participate in Junior Chamber Music. Through this program, groups will have the opportunity to participate in their chamber music competition and concerto competition, masterclasses, and concerts.

*No additional rehearsals or coachings need to be scheduled. Applicants do not have to re-apply or re-audition for JCM.