A true artist’s retreat, the FPS music department invites students, grades 9-12. The school takes an innovative approach to musicaland artistic performance education by drawing on the talent and deep reservoir of knowledge by our distinguished faculty. We are dedicatedto inculcating the highest standard of excellence by nurturing individual artistic sensibility and creative growth
Core Values
We believe that the study of music builds human capacity, elevates the soul, and prepares talented young people to enter top notch music conservatories and universities.
We believe our students must have a supportive and inspirational learning environment. To do so, we limit the number of students in the program to maximize individual attention they receive from their teachers which allows them to develop their unique artistic voice.
We believe in the importance of social responsibility towards the community. Students are encouraged from a young age to share their music passion and make use of their skills to give back to society.
A Program for All Kinds of Students
Language barriers are not a concern as our distinguished faculty come from various parts of the world: the United States, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Canada to name a few. Most of the faculty can communicate in Mandarin during one-on-one lessons.
Faculty
We believe in the importance of mutual support among faculty that encourages the highest standards of excellence and stimulates innovation, individual teaching philosophies, and a broad range of disciplines.
Piano faculty consist of concert artists including graduates from prestigious institutions such as the Colburn School of Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Manhattan School of Music and other major universities and conservatories.
Artists in residence at FPS include international concert artists. We regularly present masterclasses by artist professors to promote a high standard of musical performance to students. We also host monthly training workshops presented by instructors who teach on performance-related topics to encourage discussion among members of the learning community.
Resident Faculty
Music Program Admission Requirements
1. Each prospective incoming music student, first year or transfer, must successfully pass an entrance audition and an interview. The purpose of this audition/interview is to evaluate the student’s level of preparation upon entering FPS and to acquaint the music faculty with the student’s potential. The student may audition live, in person, or may submit a video performance. Any of these methods will suffice to determine entrance to the program. To submit a video, upload your live, unedited recording (audio and video together). Send the appropriate Youtube/Blibli link or Google Drive File to fpslily@yahoo.com or lliu@fpsch.org. Please make sure that the settings allow anyone with the link to view the video.
2. Prepare two memorized solo compositions from contrasting time periods (e.g., Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century-present) and from
the standard classical piano repertoire, one representing technical facility and one demonstrating lyrical playing.
Course Descriptions
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Course Name |
Course Description |
Course Topics |
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Music Theory I |
This course is for students who wish to gain a better understanding of music and how music works. Music Theory 1 is an introduction to music theory through the learning of scale patterns, chords, melody, harmony, ear training, composition, and much more. This class will incorporate music examples from various periods in history, as well as music in today’s society. Although a “theory” course, students will have several opportunities to engage themselves creatively throughout the semester through composition, group performance, etc. |
1. Music Fundamentals (Notation, rhythms, accidentals) 2. Scales, Tonality and Keys (Diatonic major/minor scales, intervals, moveable “do”, ear training) 3. Chords (Diatonic major/minor harmony, chord function, chord quality, cadences, analysis, composition, ear training) 4. Melody (Melodic organization, ear training, nonharmonic tones, composition, analysis) 5. Musical Texture (Texture types, harmonic rhythm, visual and aural recognition, analysis) 6. Two-Part Writing (Melody and accompaniment, basic counterpoint, motion) 7. 7th chords (Diatonic major/minor 7th chords, composition, ear training) 8. Modulation (Closely related keys, modal interchange, types of modulation, secondary harmony, tonicization) |
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Music Theory II |
This course will build upon the content learned in Music Theory I. Additional information about the course will be added soon. |
Course topics to be updated soon. |
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Music Theory III |
This course will build upon the content learned in Music Theory II. Additional information about the course will be added soon. |
Course topics to be updated soon. |