Workshops
Workshops are scheduled by instrument and/or age groups. These are informal gatherings of students prepared to perform for experience, positive criticism and encouragement under the supervision of a faculty member in a relaxed atmosphere without audience. Every certificate student is expected to attend at least one workshop per semester. Workshops are generally held on Wednesdays. Participants are expected to stay for the entire hour.

Student Recitals
Student Recitals are held at frequent intervals throughout the year, generally on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons in the Berwind Building. These recitals are free and open to the public.

Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young
This year, The Rivers School Conservatory will celebrate the 29th Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young featuring composer, Larry Bell. Founded to address the need for young performers and general audiences to hear, play and learn the music of their time, the Seminar has presented more than 1,800 new pieces including over 350 world premieres.

Click here to see photo galleries of previous Seminars.

Mid-Year Progress Reports and Evaluations
At the end of the first semester in January, private instructors will complete and send home a progress report for every child (adult students do not receive progress reports). The reports are custom-designed for each department or instrument and give parents a detailed summary of their child's progress over the course of the semester.

Evaluations take place during one week in the second semester each year. An evaluation is required of every student (except adults) and counts as the lesson for that week. Each child will be prepared by his or her teacher to play required scales, etudes and pieces appropriate to his or her level. A panel of teachers listens to the student perform and writes comments which are mailed to the parents.

The Certificate Program
The Certificate Program promotes expert musicianship and the highest level of jazz and classical musical achievement for highly motivated students. Candidates must (1) satisfy the curriculum requirements at the appropriate level on their instruments; (2) pass and achievement test at the same level or above in the Techniques of Music curriculum; (3) at level V or above, satisfy an ensemble requirement, and (4) complete one semester of chamber music study between levels VI - VIII for instrumentalists and levels VIII - X for pianists.

All Certificate Students are required to play in one recital per semester. The Faculty Council reviews each student's candidacy and makes final decisions regarding awards in the late spring.