Learning from a Master

Mark Kellogg discusses

Vocal Etude No. 16 by

Marco Bordogni (transcribed

for trombone by Joannes

Rochut and edited by Alan

Raph) with Merit Conserva-

tory Senior Nick Crane, who

will be performing the piece

during his upcoming college

auditions.

2014-2015 Master Classes

The first quarter of this year

included five master classes.

More are in the works!

Mark Kellogg Trombone Master Class

Renée Fleming Opera Master Class

Saalik Ziyad Jazz Vocalist Master Class

George Keating Musical Theatre Master Class

Marisa Buchheit, Merit Alumna Solo Voice Master Class

Fiscal Year 2015

July—September 2014

MASTER CLASSES AT MERIT

IMPACT REPORT

Merit School of Music | Joy Faith Knapp Music Center | 38 S. Peoria St., Chicago, IL 60607 | 312.786.9428 | www.meritmusic.or g

2014 SUMMER CAMP SCRAPBOOK 16 camp offerings + 375 students = 1 summer of fun!

Mark Kellogg (center left in the above photo), Associate Professor of Trombone, Eupho-

nium, and Brass Chamber Music at Eastman School of Music, visited Merit for a trom-

bone master class in September. Mr. Kellogg started the evening by performing a wide

variety of trombone pieces and then worked with nine trombone students one on one.

His advice to the students included:

When you are learning a new piece, take time to learn about the composer and

his/her nationality, as well as how the piece fits into the history of music and the

history of your specific instrument.

Think about what other instruments in an orchestra are playing with you at any giv-

en time. How does your instrument fit into this picture? Imagine the full piece and

how you would add your own musical voice to the mix.

There are many technical details to think about as you learn a piece, but take the

time to really think about how your playing affects those who are listening.

Throughout the year we provide opportunities for Merit students to study with accom-

plished music professionals through a series of master classes and workshops. Students

learn new practice techniques, gain insights into their own performance style, and be-

come inspired by artists who have made music their life’s work.

We make the Merit experience as rich as possible for all our students as they move

and grow through our music continuum. Opportunities include group lessons, private

lessons, master classes, public performances, competitions, scholarships, and special

programs such as The Leadership Institute for our graduating seniors. Funding for these

opportunities comes from a wide range of sources, and we would like to extend a

heartfelt thank you to just a few of the Merit supporters who help make this possible.

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation – Supporter of Merit’s Bridges: Partners in Music Program

A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation – Underwriter of 3rd Annual Chamber Competition

The Baskin Family Foundation – Presenting Sponsor for Performathon 2015

Marisa Buchheit, Merit Alumna – Founder of the 2015 Dream, Believe, Achieve! Scholarship

Helen and Paul Chang – Underwriters of the 2014 Merit Parent Association Challenge Match

Hearst Foundation, Inc. – Supporter of The Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory

Charlie and Caroline Huebner – Underwriters of the 2014 Merit Holiday Challenge Match

Nancy Knowles – Individual Supporter for All Merit Programs

Helen and Sam Zell – Presenting Sponsors for Gala 2015

You can help make the

Merit experience possible!

Donate now at www.meritmusic.org

It’s never too early to start learning about music! Merit School of Music’s Early Child-

hood Program features a terrific selection of classes for students from newborn to

age 7—classes that provide a strong foundation for the rest of Merit’s continuum. Led

by Brigid Finucane, Department Chair for the program, Merit’s faculty have devel-

oped a robust and fun program for our youngest musicians. In Brigid’s words:

“Early childhood music is a way for children to

examine and process their world in a develop-

mentally appropriate way. Social skills learned

during music instruction include listening, starting

and stopping, working with a group, passing,

and sharing. Many of the songs that are used in

early childhood classrooms impart concepts—

colors, opposites, ABC’s, numbers, reading readi-

ness, rhyming—and use movement as a memory

aid. Children and adults are able to grasp and

remember information more easily if it is present-

ed musically. Parents in my parent/child classes have told me their children’s ability

to communicate has been greatly strengthened—especially those who are in a

dual-language home. Humans are musical beings. Introducing children to music ear-

ly in life and continuing to honor it throughout all developmental stages can bring all

of us countless benefits, academic and otherwise.”

Macol Stewart Cerda’s two children have participated in

Merit’s Early Childhood classes for a number of years, and

she shared some thoughts about the program with us:

“Thanks in large part to [Merit’s Early Childhood Pro-

gram], music has been a part of my children's lives since

before they can remember. They started learning about

and participating in music at such a young age that they

simply assume that music is and always will be a part of

life. At the time when they were very young and learning

to differentiate the sounds that make up language they

were also learning to differentiate the sounds that make

up the language of music. My favorite part of the pro-

gram is that it has taught my children to love music, and

it has been a joy to participate in the program with them.

Thank you, Merit, for the wonderful childhood memories

and for instilling a lifelong love of music!”

OUR YOUNGEST MUSICIANS

THE MERIT EXPERIENCE

Upcoming FREE Student

Concerts

DECEMBER 2014

Alice S. Pfaelzer

Tuition-free Conservatory

Winter Concerts

Chamber: Dec. 5 at 7pm

Band: Dec. 12 at 7pm

Voice/Jazz/Orchestra:

Dec. 13 from 10am-6pm

JANUARY 2015

Instrumental Music Program

Winter Concerts

Band: Jan. 20 at 6pm

Piano/Chorus: Jan. 21 at 6pm

Strings: Jan. 22 at 6pm

All photos above: students

and parents in Early Child-

hood classes at Merit.