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, either Suzuki Group Class or Guitar Orchestra. Advanced students have the opportunity to participate in PCM’s touring group, the Los Angeles Youth Guitar Orchestra, while adult students seeking an opportunity to practice and perform with peer musicians in an ensemble setting may join our Adult Guitar Orchestra.
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.
Our Programs
We offer private lessons as well as group and ensemble classes.
Guitar Musicianship
Ages 4-6: Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
Musicianship classes are for our young Suzuki students who are “pre-Twinkle,” which is to say that they are not yet ready for group class on their instruments. In Musicianship class, the teacher will introduce the elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form and expression in a group class, where students actively make music with their peers. Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with and manipulate rhythmic patterns, begin ear training through singing and playing xylophones, play in an ensemble, move expressively to music, and create meaningful connections to both the music in the Suzuki repertoire and great examples of classical and folk music.
Suzuki Group Class
Students will rehearse together once a week, reinforcing tone development, technique, and repertoire that has been learned in their private lesson. Additionally, students develop rhythmic and musicianship skills.
Junior Guitar Orchestra
Students entering this course must be at Suzuki Book 3. Students develop reading skills and part-playing through participation in this group and will learn how to follow a conductor while rehearsing and performing standard guitar orchestra repertoire. Students will learn how to follow a conductor while rehearsing and performing standard guitar orchestra repertoire.
Los Angeles Youth Guitar Orchestra
Established in 2013, LAYGO is composed of the school’s top guitar students and led by faculty member Felix Bullock. The touring ensemble gives emerging musicians the opportunity to practice and perform with peers at home and around the world. Participation is based on teacher recommendation. To participate, students must be at Suzuki or Royal Conservatory of Music books level 5 or higher.
Visit the Fees page for more information about tuition and registration fees.