Pre-College Preparatory
Pre-College Preparatory, in partnership with Junior Chamber Music, is a weekly three-hour program (10:00am-1:00pm) with the purpose of immersing young musicians in a collaborative environment that is inspiring, challenging and educational. Inspired by our all-day Pre-College Program, the Prep program will provide younger students with the same, high quality conservatory-style training, but with more support. Prep focuses on chamber music, and will include guided rehearsals and coachings, theory and ear training classes, orchestra, workshops, and concert opportunities. In 2026, Pre-College Preparatory students will be able to perform their chamber music at the beautiful stage of Glendale City Church and also in a large ensemble at Colburn’s iconic Zipper Hall!
Pianists, violinists, violists, cellists, classical guitarists and flutists ages 7 and up are welcome to apply. Applications are due Saturday May 16, 2026. Students will audition live at Fried Music in Alhambra on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Applications are now closed. Email info@friedmusic.com for any further registration inquiries!
Live auditions will take place at Fried Music in Alhambra.
Be mindful that the audition for Prep is more about learning about the level of the student and their abilities. You do not have to feel lots of pressure to play at a very high level of preparedeness!
Important Dates
Find out when! Important Pre-College Preparatory dates are linked below for convenience. Application deadlines, program schedules, recitals all detailed!
Program Details:
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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.
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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, June 6. 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.
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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).
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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.
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Scholarships are merit based and will be awarded based on the live audition June 6, 2026. Student are typically granted scholarship between 50-80% of the full tuition cost.
Total Tuition:
Full Year (approximately 35 Saturdays): $2,750
Per Semester: $1,375Tuition includes:
Chamber Music Coachings (Scheduled weekly, depending on both student and teacher availability)
String Orchestra
Individual Practice Time
Community engagement performance opportunities
Weekly Performance Classes
Exclusive Masterclasses with Visiting Artist Faculty
Two Formal Concerts (with professional video/audio recording)
Junior Chamber Music, which includes their exclusive competition/tour opportunities
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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.
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply?
Violinists, violists, cellists, pianists, classical guitarists, and flutists are eligible to apply. Please email us or send in an inquiry to confirm whether or not your instrument can be accepted into our program.
What is the age requirement?
Our recommended age limit is 7-13 years old. However, we can make exceptions (both under and above the limit) to this rule based on the audition, and if we feel they would be a good fit for the program.
How do I know if my child is at the appropriate level for this program?
The best way to know is to audition. Generally, students with a steady and consistent history of private lessons and daily practice are good candidates for the program. The Prep program understands that applicants may not be experienced in large ensemble or chamber music; please do not worry about a totally memorized or completely polished audition. A high level of seriousness and commitment to music is the priority.
What is Junior Chamber Music and how does it work with the Pre-College Preparatory Program?
Junior Chamber Music is a program that was founded in 2002. It strives to bring students from around the city together and provides them with the joyful experience of making music as small groups. In our collaboration, we provide the space and rehearsal/coaching scheduling on a weekly basis, reducing the burden of scheduling rehearsals and coachings outside of the Saturday Pre-College Preparatory dates. Therefore, the JCM requirements are built into our Saturday program, avoiding extra time commitment on the students and their families.