The Instrumental Music Department at YPAS provides a safe, caring atmosphere that is rich in student instruction and performance. As accomplished professional musicians themselves, the faculty approach the teaching of music as both a discipline and an art form. In addition to teaching fundamental music skills and artistic performance practices, the faculty members strive to impart to students a lasting enjoyment and appreciation of music that will lead to a true passion for the art form as performers, educators, composers, and consumers. Instrumental Music students have the opportunity to major in Band, Orchestra, or Piano. Progress in all majors is rapid, with serious students studying privately and achieving top honors in the region, state, and country.

Elective classes in keyboard, music theory and composition, and jazz improvisation augment the core music major classes. These electives are facilitated by state-of-the-art computers and electronic equipment. Numerous instrumental performance opportunities are available through membership in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Full Orchestra, and Pit Orchestra for stage productions, including the annual fall musical.

YPAS instrumental groups and soloists have performed many events for civic and fraternal organizations, state and national conventions, businesses, and other special events. The Band Department performs in a national festival every spring and has won numerous awards and honors in the United States as well as internationally. YPAS Instrumental Music graduates have furthered their artistic training with admission and scholarships to the Eastman School of Music,

Juilliard, Indiana University, New England Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, Boston Conservatory, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Northwestern, Ohio State, University of Michigan, University of Illinois, Florida State, North Carolina School for the Arts, and other major universities.

Graduates of the YPAS Band program are currently performing in some of the top ensembles in the world, including The President’s Own Marine Band, the Coast Guard Band, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Band

Course Offerings:

  • Music Theory (Electives)
  • Music Theory I
  • Music Theory II
  • Keyboard Lab (for non-majors)
  • AP Music Theory
  • Touring Performance Opportunities

  •  Percussion Ensemble
  • Woodwind Quintets
  • Saxophone Quartets
  • Brass Quintets

Orchestra/String Instruments

The YPAS Orchestra Department consists of four major performing groups. Also, selected students in the department often participate in the Pit Orchestra for school musicals. Students who are selected to be in the YPAS Philharmonia have the opportunity to grow and perform in one of the finest high school orchestras in the nation, as recognized by leaders in the field. In recent years, the Philharmonia has auditioned for and been invited to perform on numerous occasions at state, regional, and national music educator conferences. This stellar organization also has appeared on the nationally syndicated National Public Radio program From the Top, at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, in the MidAmerica series in New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall, and at the Music for All Orchestra America National Festival. As another indication of success, the string students in this department typically compose 20 to 25 percent of the Kentucky All-State Orchestra string section. The 25 to 35 string members of the Philharmonia usually perform at least seven times during the school year. The repertoire selected for this group includes some of the finest orchestral masterpieces written. During their years at YPAS, students can expect to be challenged to develop themselves musically to their highest potential. As Orchestra majors, these students will take a second strings class—Chamber Strings Orchestra or String Techniques—in which more individualized instruction promotes further musical development and growth.

The Manual Concert Orchestra and Sinfonia curricula expose students to orchestral music along with a historical and structural perspective meant to broaden and deepen their understanding and appreciation of orchestral music. The knowledge and experience students gain in Orchestra should lay the foundation for a lifetime of rewarding encounters with great music, whether students choose to participate in performing groups or become enlightened listeners. The Manual Concert Orchestra and Sinfonia are single classes and typically give a performance near the end of each semester. The Concert Orchestra also participates in the Kentucky Music Educators Association Orchestra Festival in the spring.

Course Offerings:

  • Philharmonia (primarily Orchestra majors)
  • Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra majors only)
  • Manual Concert Orchestra (advanced Manual students)
  • Sinfonia (intermediate Manual students)
  • String Techniques
  • Music Theory (Electives)
  • Music Theory I
  • Music Theory II
  • Keyboard Lab (for non-majors)
  • AP Music Theory
  • Touring Performance Opportunities:
  • String Quartets
  • String Ensemble

Piano

The Classroom
The YPAS Piano Classroom is fully equipped with Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos, a Yamaha C1 conservatory grand, and a Zuckerman harpsichord. Students furnish their own headphones and work on individual assignments during class. In addition, students have access to a variety of music software on classroom computers, including Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) programs, such as Finale and The Pianist.

Piano Curriculum
The YPAS Applied Piano curriculum is modeled after traditional college course requirements for Piano majors. Students are assigned a standard solo repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, and Modern Eras. Keyboard theory and technique are studied through scale and arpeggio practice, chord progressions, and various études. Performance classes are held throughout each semester, and students perform two evening recital programs each school year. In addition to these keyboard requirements, students complete four units of the study of piano literature, including the development of the piano, period composers and their works, and the evolution of various forms of music. Intermediate Piano and Keyboard Lab courses focus on the development of basic skills in the areas of music reading, music theory, and piano repertoire and technique.

Performance Opportunities
YPAS Piano students are regularly invited to provide music for civic and community events, including the annual WHAS11 Excellence in Classroom Educational Leadership (ExCEL) Awards dinner, the Mayor’s Outstanding High School Senior Banquet, the Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour, Jefferson County Teachers Association functions, and various charitable and corporate organizations. Piano students also have the opportunity to develop their skills as accompanists through small ensemble performances and participation in the Pit Orchestras for schoolwide musicals. Upperclassmen are eligible for the YPAS Music Department Solo Competition. Winners perform with the YPAS Orchestra as scheduling permits.

The YPAS Piano Program includes six levels of classes for Piano majors and elective students. Appropriate placement is determined by audition or instructor approval for beginners.

Course Offerings:

  •  Applied Piano I - IV
  • Intermediate Piano (elective class)
  • Keyboard Lab (elective class for beginners)
  • Music Theory (Electives)
  • Music Theory I
  • Music Theory II
  • AP Music Theory
  • Touring Performance Opportunities:
  • Keyboard Chamber Ensemble

Noteworthy Achievements:

YPAS Piano alumni have pursued advanced training at such prestigious institutions as the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York, the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, New York University, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Others have attended summer programs at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Interlochen Arts Camp, and Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts.