Who are we?
Kurtis Gildow, Dean of Program
Brian Beach, Strings & Orchestra Program Director
Hilary Butler, Strings Program Manager
Logan Massey, Band Program Director
Karen Mari, Band Program Manager
Melanie Lunardi, Voice & Guitar Program Director
Amy Riske, Piano Program Director
Ashley Summers, Piano Program Manager
Jenni Shanahan, Program Coordinator
Nina Stillman, Chair, Board of Trustees
Expectations for Students and Parents:
Attendance
In the Classroom
- An absence from any Conservatory class counts as 1 full absence.
- Students must arrive on time and attend all classes each week.
- Exceeding the number of allowed absences will result in a meeting with the student and his/her parents to determine whether or not the student will continue in the program. A student who is asked to leave the program may have his/her Private Lesson Passport revoked.
Parents- please support your student's practicing and class preparation each week.
Students are expected to participate fully in each class by practicing all materials assigned and preparing any written work required.
- If you know when your students will be absent, you must fill out an Absence Approval Form at least one week in advance. The form is available online, in the Student Services Office or at the Front Desk.
Students are allowed 4 absences per year.
Wind Symphony students are also allowed 3 absences from Tuesday night rehearsals.
- An absence for any reason from a scheduled Merit concert may result in the student being withdrawn from the Conservatory.
- If your child has an emergency and must be absent unexpectedly, please call and inform us as soon as possible. You will be asked to fill out an Absence Approval Form for documentation.
- Focus on removing barriers to excellent, sustained music instruction for all students
- A full continuum of programs from early childhood through high school (and beyond in private lessons)
- Over 2,000 students each week in the building and another 2,300 students in Chicago communities through the Bridges: Partners in Music Program
Concert Dress Requirements:
Merit Wind Symphony, Merit Philharmonic, Merit Jazz Ensemble,
and Honors Jazz Combo
Opera and Musical Theater Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble, Junior and Symphonic Bands, String Orchestra, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Junior Jazz Band
Men
- Tuxes and black dress shoes (with black socks)
Men
- Tuxes and black dress shoes (provided by Merit)
- Please wear black socks
- Please be sure to check directly with your teacher to confirm dress requirements for each performance. When in doubt, please plan to dress in concert black.
Men and Women
- Most costumes and props will be provided by Merit, although students may be asked to bring in some of their own pieces as well.
Men
- Black collared shirts, black pants, and black dress shoes (with black socks)
Women
- Black choir dress and black character shoes (provided by Merit)
- Please wear black tights/nylons
Merit has a small inventory of performance attire available for loan through the Glasser-Rosenthal Library. Please contact the librarian, Danielle Seaman (312-267-3694 or dseaman@meritmusic.org) for more information.
Women
- Black tops (shoulder-length sleeves or longer, no tank tops or spaghetti straps)
- Black pants or skirts
- Black dresses
- Black dress shoes
(Skirts and dresses must be knee-length while sitting; please wear black tights/nylons.)
Women
- Black tops (shoulder-length sleeves or longer, no tank tops or spaghetti straps)
- Black pants or skirts
- Black dresses
- Black dress shoes
- (Skirts and dresses must be knee-length while sitting; please wear black tights/nylons.)
The Merit faculty is dedicated to:
- Treating each student with respect, patience, and kindness
- Providing excellence in music instruction within a warm, nurturing environment
- Holding the bar high by expecting the highest artistic standards at all levels of performance
- Instilling the notion that perseverance is often the most important aspect of success
- Helping our students to become productive, compassionate members of society, to develop as responsible human beings and good citizens, and to experience the kind of self-esteem that comes from hard work and achievement
Annual Events at Merit
Video: Fulfilling Dreams
Conservatory Competitions
Conservatory Concerto Competition
(February 3rd):
- One movement of a concert for solo instrument and orchestra
- Winner performs at Orchestra Hall during MeritFest or at the Conservatory Spring Concert
- Application Deadline: January 21st
Conservatory Voice Competition
(March 19th):
- Two contrasting pieces (selections may be jazz, musical theater, or classical)
- Winners receive a monetary award toward private lessons, and a students must plan on returning to the Conservatory the following year in order to apply.
- Application Deadline: March 11th
Winter Concerts
- Band - Dec. 16
- Voice, Guitar, Jazz, Instrument Ensembles & Orchestras - Dec. 17
- Chamber Ensembles- Jan. 20
- Solo Voice - Jan. 21
- Piano - Jan. 28
Performathon
Jazz Showcase
Spring Concerts
- Chamber Ensembles - Apr. 21
- Solo Voice - Apr. 22
- Band - Apr. 28
- Voice, Guitar, Jazz, Piano, Instrument Ensembles & Orchestras - Apr. 29
Conservatory Private Lesson Competition
(April 7th):
- One solo piece of the student's choice, approved by their private lesson instructor
- Winners receive a monetary award toward private lessons, and students must plan on returning to the Conservatory the following year in order to apply.
- Application Deadline: March 18th
Private Lessons
Student Services Team
Taylor Jacobson - Student Services Manager
tjacobson@meritmusic.org
Lily Floeter - Student Services Coordinator
lfloeter@meritmusic.org
Lewis Gilmore - Student Services Associate
lgilmore@meritmusic.org
- 30, 45, or 60-minute lessons
- Financial Aid Available (2015 Tax Return Required)
- Must enroll either with Student Services or online at http://meritmusic.org/classes-and-lessons/private-lessons/
- Absence Policy
- Expectations
- Financial Aid Deadline: Sept. 30th
Saturday Hours: 9:30am-2:30pm
What is the Conservatory?
This program represents the culmination of Merit's music education continuum with the most accomplished of Merit's student musicians. Entry is by audition only. In return for their hard work and dedication, Merit provides the Conservatory experience tuition-free for all students.
Alice S. Pfaelzer
Tuition-free Conservatory
2016-2017
Tom Sullivan,
Parent Representative
Please make sure that we an updated e-mail address for you! All important Conservatory information will be communicated via e-mail, including Merit's weekly newsletter.
You can also find important information on Merit's website:
www.meritmusic.org
Your Time at Merit
Students present concerts and performances throughout the year. Chicago's finest music educators provide instruction through a weekly curriculum that includes large ensembles, instrumental technique classes, music theory classes, and a variety of elective classes, as well as live performances. Students can also participate in master classes led by world-class professional artists.
Questions or Concerns:
Merit Student Creed
Student Services
312-786-9428 or studentservices@meritmusic.org
Kurtis Gildow, Dean of Programs
312-267-4469 or kgildow@meritmusic.org
Band
Logan Massey, Program Director
312-267-4477 or lmassey@meritmusic.org
Karen Mari, Program Manager
312-676-3688 or kmari@meritmusic.org
Voice & Guitar
Melanie Lunardi, Program Director
312-676-3690 or mlunardi@meritmusic.org
Piano
Amy Riske, Program Director
312-267-4467 or ariske@meritmusic.org
Ashley Summers, Program Manager
312-676-3691 or asummers@meritmusic.org
Strings and Orchestra
Brian Beach, Program Director
312-267-4463 or bbeach@meritmusic.org
Hilary Butler, Program Manager
312-267-4472 or hbutler@meritmusic.org
- Respect
- Integrity
- Discipline
- Service