Welcome!

            NEW for Fall 2009!! Piano lessons now available in Mt. Airy!

            MDTEC currently has over 100 string students ages 6-18 who participate in group classes, private lessons and chamber music ensembles.  We have locations in Frederick and Mt. Airy, Maryland.  Our students love making music and they are often high achievers who are looking for a challenge.   Our teachers share this love of music and are extremely committed to helping each student to reach for his or her own pinnacle of excellence.  Many of our graduates have gone on to careers in science, medicine, economics,computer science and  engineering at schools like MIT, Stanford, Yale, Univ. of MD and Cornell.  Many students have also gone into careers in music performance at schools like Peabody, Eastman, Indiana University, Juilliard and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

            Beginning violin students and their families are aided by a series of DVDs offered exclusively by MDTEC.  On these DVDs, Phyllis Freeman provides clear step by step instructions for how to practice at home.  At many of our branches we also have a media library featuring magazines like Strings, American String Teachers, Suzuki Association of the Americas Journal as well as CD's and DVD's of major performers and teachers.  

            Maryland Talent Education Center is a performance-oriented school.  In the fall and spring there is a group concert in which all the students participate.  From September through June, there are also at least 5 solo recitals.  Most of these events occur on Friday evenings.  Students are required to play in both group concerts and at least one other solo recital.  Most students perform in more that one solo recital a year.   Many of the teenage students also participate in competitions, youth orchestras and other special events throughout the year.   During the summer, students are required to take at least 3 private lessons.  Please read the �General Policies� section of this website for further information on what is required of our students.

Method

            In the early stages, we utilize the Suzuki method for violin and cello, with lots of supplemental repertoire and scales along with movement techniques developed by Paul Rolland.  At first children learn to play by ear and are introduced to symbolic notation away from the instrument.   After certain physical skills have been mastered, students begin to read from music.  We believe in laying very secure foundations, therefore, the beginning stages are scrutinized very closely.  The learning pace accelerates as students master the physical skills required for their instrument.  As the student progresses, traditional etudes, studies and non-Suzuki repertoire are added.

Audition/Acceptance Process

            In order to fully understand our program, we ask that you and your child come and observe a private lesson, a group lesson and attend a recital. To set up observation times please send an email to freeman@marylandtalent.  The private teacher who has openings will contact you to set up the observation times. After you have completed the observations, you will need to schedule an intake evaluation with the director, Phyllis Freeman.  For beginners, this consists of a discussion about practicing habits, the level of parental commitment required and our expectations for your child.  Parents must attend all lessons, take notes, and help with the home practice until the child is 12 years old.   If your child already plays the violin, this intake evaluation will be in the form of a private lesson with Ms. Freeman.  The charge for the intake evaluation is $40 for a half hour and must be paid at the time the evaluation session takes place.   After all of these steps have been completed, you will receive an email letter that will inform you if you and your child have been accepted into our program.  If there are no openings at the time you receive your acceptance letter then you may request that your child be placed on our waiting list.  This does not guarantee placement.  Placement order is determined by those students whose ability and previous training best fit with our program.

Instruments

            Please never purchase or enter into a rental agreement for an instrument without first consulting your private teacher.  MDTEC recommends that string players use Potter�s Violin Shop (301) 652-7070 (www.pottersviolins.com)  in Bethesda, MD.   They offer very fine instruments for either rent or purchase and apply your rental payments (minus a small fee for wear and tear) towards the eventual purchase of a violin when your child trades up to a new size.  Please consult with your private teacher regarding the size instrument that is correct for your child.   You need to call in advance and be sure they have the correct size instrument available. 

            We look forward to meeting you and your child.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Freeman, director