Piano Orchestra
Have your moment to shine along with the entire cast of Beauty and the Beast Jr! Learn how to play in an ensemble setting as a pianist too!
please check back with us IN AUGUST for the fall 2023 orchestra auditions!
The Piano Orchestra plays the opening of Beauty and the Beast
Top 5 questions answered below:
Can anyone join the piano orchestra?
No - the piano orchestra is an invitation-only ensemble. We internally meet as teachers and invite students that have consistent practice habits, are teachable, have good sight-reading ability, a strong rhythmic center, and supportive and cooperative parents.
Will I get to solo?
Yes, each student will have at least 1 (typically more) opportunity to solo in the musical theater production.
How much is it?
For all the rehearsals and performances (4 performances in April/Early May 2024) it is $160/month with rehearsals beginning in September 2023. For Beauty and the Beast JR we will have 9 months of rehearsals as we are attempting to do the entire 35-song score live! The complexity of the score that we have had to reduce is substantial - but worth it! (yes the orchestral scores are hand-written by us for the students in the piano orchestra)
Where else is this done?
Currently we are the only studio in the United States creating and producing a piano orchestra to play with a musical - we hope to inspire copy-cats in the future!
Why should we do the Piano Orchestra?
See the video on this page “Piano Orchestra Info Video” which addresses many of the reasons why this has such a dramatic positive impact on budding piano students. Also, Kylie’s video on this page is also educational about the impact that the piano orchestra has on students.
What is the schedule?
See below at the bottom of this page!
If you’re ready to challenge yourself in ways that you have never been challenged on the piano - then the piano orchestra is for you! Each Musical that our studio puts on is accompanied by student musicians playing the orchestral score in 6-10 part harmonies on the piano! Of course, with all the instrument engineering that takes place - you won’t actually hear too much “piano” as students will be Harpsichords, Clarinets, Flutes, Piccolos and many more instrument parts on the piano. This is a challenging yet extremely rewarding class and performance experience for students that have good consistent practice habits at home.
Answers to frequently asked questions about playing in the Piano Orchestra
The playing ability needed to play this music tends to lean towards students Level 3 thru 10 - but there are a couple spots open for students in levels 1 and 2 that have strong parent support and good practice habits! More advanced students can also assume larger roles and tend to have more solos as they accompany the cast on their own.
