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PREPARATORY DIVISION

Preparatory Division
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Music Program for Students Ages 3 to 18

The Preparatory Division offers young people the joy of studying music in the context of a first-class conservatory.
Our Programs

Our Programs

Early Childhood Classes offer the youngest students an introduction to music through singing and movement-based activities.  

Full Program Study, for ages 5 to 18, consists of weekly Private Instrumental or Voice Lessons paired with a Musicianship Class in which students study the fundamentals of music theory, ear training, and composition. Full Program students have the opportunity to perform in student recitals each semester.

Elective Classes and Ensembles offer additional courses that can be taken separately or with Full Program Study.

More about Our Programs

A Lifetime of Benefits

The study of music provides important benefits in language, motor, and social skills and helps to develop an appreciation for the value of diligent effort. Most important, music provides a lifetime of enjoyment.

Bard Prep 2025–2026
 

FALL 2025 SEMESTER:
September 6 to January 10
No classes October 11, November 29, December 20, December 27

SPRING 2026 SEMESTER:
January 24 to May 16
No classes February 14 & April 4

2025–26 Programs

Fall 2025 Early Registration is OPEN for students currently enrolled in the Spring 2025 semester. Registration for New Students will open starting May 1, 2025.

 Contact us for more information or to inquire about openings. Please note: there are very limited openings.
 

  • Early Childhood Music

    Fall 2025

     
    Ages 3 to 7

    9:00-9:45 Music & Movement I (section 1)
      (Ages 3-4: b. 2021-2022)

    9:45-10:15 Children's Chorus
      (Ages 4-6: b. 2019-2021)
    must turn 4 by October 1st

    10:15-11:00 Music & Movement I (section 2)
      (Ages 5-6: b. 2019-2020)

    11:00-11:55 Music & Movement II/III
     (Ages 6-7: b. 2018-2019)

    PLEASE NOTE: All Early Childhood Music Classes are DROP-OFF.
    Parents or caregivers are not allowed to attend classes.

    Early Childhood Music

    Fall 2025

     


    PLEASE NOTE: All Early Childhood Music Classes are DROP-OFF.
    Parents or caregivers are not allowed to attend classes.


    FALL 2025 SEMESTER:
    September 6 to January 10
    No classes October 11, November 29, December 20, December 27

    SPRING 2026 SEMESTER:
    January 24 to May 16
    No classes February 14 & April 18

    Tuition listed is per semester.

    Music & Movement I (section 1): Ages 3-4
    9:00 am - 9:45 am
    Fall Tuition: $477
    (for children born 2021-2022)

    Children's Chorus: Ages 4-6
    9:45 am - 10:15 am
    Fall Tuition: $310
    (for children born 2019-2021)
    must turn 4 by October 1st

    Music & Movement I (section 2):  Ages 5-6
    10:15 am - 11:00 am
    Fall Tuition: $477
    (for children born 2019-2020)

    Music & Movement II/III: Ages 6-7
    11:00 am - 11:55 am
    Fall Tuition: $525
    (for children born 2018-2019)

     
    PACKAGE DISCOUNTS: 
    Music & Movement I (section 1) and Children's Chorus (for age 4 only):
    $752
    9:00-10:15 AM 

    Music & Movement I (section 2) and Children's Chorus (for ages 5-6):
    $752
    9:45-11:00 AM

     
  • Full Program: Ages 5 to 18

    Fall 2025
    Private Lessons and Musicianship Class

    Full Program includes weekly private lesson and Musicianship class. 

    Instrument instructions available for:
    Cello, Violin, Viola, Clarinet, Composition, 
    Euphonium, Flute, Guitar, French Horn, Bassoon,
    Percussion, Piano, Saxophone,
    Trombone, Trumpet, Voice


    PLEASE NOTE: VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR MOST INSTRUMENTS

    The Prep Program does not offer private lessons separate from the Full Program.

    Prep also offers elective classes and ensembles.
     

    Full Program: Ages 5 to 18

    Fall 2025


    Students register by semester.

    For the 2025-26 academic year, the Preparatory Division offers instruction in:
    Cello
    Clarinet
    Composition
    Euphonium
    Flute
    Guitar
    Percussion
    Piano
    Saxophone
    Trombone
    Trumpet
    Violin
    Viola
    Voice
    Bassoon
     Applies to Full Program & Secondary Instruments

    ELECTIVE CLASSES AND ENSEMBLES:
    Vocal Ensemble
    Piano Four Hands Chamber Class
    Piano and Voice Chamber Class
    Instrumental Chamber Music Class
    Beginning Violin Class
    Beginning Cello Class
    Piano Technique & Repertoire Class (for advanced pianists only)
     
  • BARD MUSIC CAMP 2025!
     
    JUNE 30 TO JULY 12, 2025

    Early Childhood Music Program:

    Ages 3 to 6: June 30 - July 5
         
    Full Day Program:
    June 30 - July 5: Ages 5 to 10
    July 7 - July 12: Ages 10 to 18

    Camp Hours for Full Day Program:
    9:00am to 3:00pm

    Camp takes place at 
    László Z. Bitó '60 Conservatory Building


    Registration Deadline: May 1, 2025
     

    BARD MUSIC CAMP 2025!
     

    March 1: Early Registration Ends
       for Current Prep Students Only:

         $25 off tuition for Full Day
         $15 off tuition for Early Childhood Music

      
      for
    non-Prep Students:
         $45 Registration Fee waived  
         Must submit registration form and full tuition payment to qualify



    March 1:  Financial Aid Deadline 

    May 1:  Bard Music Camp 2025 Registration Deadline
         Must submit registration form and full tuition payment in full
         After May 1, please include a $30 late registration fee


    June 1:  Withdrawal Deadline
         Students may withdraw with a 50% refund on or before June 1
         After June 1st, no refunds will be given
         Registration Fee is non-refundable at any time

Location and Contact

Directions to Bard
Classes are held in the Avery Arts Center (Edith C. Blum building) and the László Z. Bitó '60 Conservatory Building on the Bard College campus.
Recitals are held at Olin Concert Hall and the performance space at the László Z. Bitó '60 Conservatory Building.


Staff
Dr. Wendy Case, Director
James Chou, Assistant to the Director



Contact Us
[email protected]
Director: Dr. Wendy Case
(810) 875-2220 
[email protected]



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Bard College
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845-758-7196
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All photos by Karl Rabe unless stated otherwise.