Departments

Guitar

Three students playing classical guitar

Guitar

The Guitar Department focuses on teaching technical proficiency to independent learners. Through a sequential curriculum, students learn to express themselves musically and acquire the skills to successfully participate in ensemble playing. Students enroll in both a weekly private lesson and a weekly ensemble. Adult students seeking an opportunity to practice and perform with peer musicians in an ensemble setting may join our Adult Guitar Orchestra.

Meet Our Guitar Faculty

Ensemble Program

The ensemble program supplements individual lessons. All students are required to enroll in a minimum of two years of Guitar Ensemble (Suzuki Group Classes or Orchestra). Classes cover activities in reading, solo performance and ensemble playing. Classes meet once per week and are divided into various skill levels. Students are placed in ensembles by their teacher or through audition. All students in the program must enroll for the entire school year while also studying guitar privately. Ensembles perform in recitals three times per year.

Youth Ensembles

We offer private lessons as well as group and ensemble classes.

August 27, 2024 – May 27, 2025
Tuesdays: 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Instructor: Brian Barany
Tuition: $540

A class designed with the beginning student in mind, this class is meant to support the Suzuki method private lesson in a group environment. Topics covered include technique, repertoire reinforcement, introduction to ensemble playing as well as introduction to music notation.

Necessary materials: guitar, footstool, tuner, and book 1.

Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.

August 28, 2024 – May 28, 2025
Wednesdays: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Bryan Fasola
Tuition: $540

This course focuses on playing guitar ensemble music, students will learn to play trio and quartet music in a group environment. Topics covered include counting rhythms and following a conductor, reading music notation and interpretation and phrasing.

Necessary materials: guitar, footstool, and tuner.

Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.

August 28, 2024 – May 28, 2025
Wednesdays: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Instructor: Bryan Fasola

This course covers more advanced repertoire, including more complex musical challenges in interpretation, technique, and reading. Recommended for advanced students with previous experience playing in the intermediate ensemble.

Necessary materials: guitar, footstool, and tuner.

Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.

Schedule TBD by ensemble and instructor
Director: Dr. Brian Barany (Summer) and Scott Tennant (Fall-Spring)

Students are placed in guitar duos, trios, or quartets based on skill level and preference. Groups receive one-hour coaching sessions.

Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information. Audition required.

Adult Ensembles

Fall: August 28 – November 13, 2024
Winter: November 20, 2024 – February 26, 2025
Wednesdays: 7:15 – 8:45 pm
Instructor: Dr. Bryan Fasola
Tuition: $480

The Adult Guitar Ensemble gives guitarists the rare but exciting opportunity to play orchestral repertoire on the classical guitar in a group setting. Rehearsals are fun but focused on preparing for a public concert at the end of each semester. All guitarists with some music reading abilities are welcome to join with minimum audition requirements. Meetings are weekly and led by a conductor.

Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information. 

Visit the Fees page for more information about tuition and registration fees.

Let's make some music!
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