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Washington Conservatory of MusicWashington Conservatory of Music
  • Lessons
  • Classes
  • Ensembles
  • Enroll
  • Concerts
  • Outreach
  • Information
  • About
    • About the School
    • Online Learning
    • Locations
    • News
    • Ensembles in Residence
    • Letter from the Director
    • Staff & Board of Directors
    • Faculty
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
  • Donate

Student Opportunities

WCM provides a number of wonderful opportunities to students in addition to regular one-on-one lessons. Students may take advantage of these opportunities to further develop their musical skills, reinforce their sense of achievement, and engage with the larger school community.
Due to COVID-19, recitals are currently being held over Zoom to ensure the health and safety of students, their families, and instructors.

Student Recitals

Any student, with his or her teacher’s approval, may perform in monthly recitals on Sundays throughout the academic year. Pianists will have the opportunity to perform on our nine-foot Blüthner concert grand. Adult students may perform in regular student recitals, adult-only recitals, and at informal parties. Faculty members may also schedule studio class recitals. WCM provides a staff accompanist for the recitals and up to 30 minutes of rehearsal for each soloist or ensemble prior to the recitals. Additional rehearsal time is paid for by the student. Students who choose an outside accompanist are responsible for the entire payment.

Juried Recitals

At the end of each semester, students have the opportunity to perform before faculty panels and receive written evaluations of their performance. A nominal jury fee applies.

Honors Recitals

Each year teachers are invited to nominate their most outstanding students (grade school through high school) to audition for the Conservatory’s culminating student recital: the Honors Recital. Students audition before a panel of judges. Those selected by the judges to perform receive certificates of achievement at the recital. It is the responsibility of students who audition to provide their own accompanist for the audition. For the recital, students are provided an accompanist, in accordance with standard WCM recital procedures.

Studio Classes

Each semester, teachers may arrange for their students to meet together to explore in depth some aspect of the instrument and/or to perform for each other in an informal learning environment. Depending on the students’ needs, studio classes can be used as preparation for, or in lieu of, monthly student recitals. Studio classes are free to students registered for individual lessons; however, a minimal accompanist fee may be applied.

right hand filling out a survey

Written Feedback from Instructors

WCM considers written feedback an important part of the learning process. After the end of the spring semester, private lesson students receive written evaluations from their teachers about their musical progress. Evaluations provide students and parents with an overview of student achievement and may include recommendations for topics and strategies students can focus on in order to have a more rewarding musical experience.

Tobias Werner playing cello

Free Admission to Concerts

WCM invites students to attend monthly concerts by faculty members and acclaimed guest artists. Past performers include the Fine Arts String Quartet, John O’Conor, Alexander Paley, the Pressenda Chamber Players, and many others. There is no charge for admission, and no expectation that students donate. These opportunities to experience live music form an invaluable part of students’ music education. For WCM’s concert schedule, click here.

Start your musical journey today with lessons, classes, camps, or ensembles! Enroll

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Locations

Westmoreland Circle (Main Office)
One Westmoreland Circle
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-320-2770

Office hours: 10 am–6 pm, Mon–Fri


Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Blvd
Glen Echo, MD 20812
301-634-2250

Front desk hours: 10 am–6 pm, Mon–Thu


info@washingtonconservatory.org


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The Washington Conservatory of Music is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.

Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County

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