"Music can change the world."    
--Beethoven

The Music department of the Arts Academy prepares talented musicians for successful professional music careers. The faculty auditions serious and talented young musicians from around the world and within the United States. Private instruction is offered by the finest teachers and performers in Southern California. Performance at the highest level is expected. Arts Academy graduates have a high acceptance rate to the leading colleges, universities and conservatories across the nation.

Instrumentalists rehearse several hours a week in orchestra and small ensembles. Pianists study piano literature, keyboard skills, accompanying and ensemble playing. Jazz students are taught the importance of improvising and "playing off" other students. Work with combos is stressed and students create and become comfortable with their own style. Guitarists can participate in classical and jazz ensembles. Singers study diction, ensemble singing, and the history of the art song and opera. All students have opportunities to participate in ensembles, and are placed in these ensembles by faculty at the beginning of the year. Music majors experience small classes and personalized attention. Students meet and hear guest artists perform and participate in master classes.

Idyllwild's location in Southern California provides easy access to many high quality performances. Concert trips provide students the opportunity to attend performances of such renowned organizations as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. These excursions may also include special chamber music and jazz performances and solo recitals by artists of international stature.

Department Requirements
The following courses or series of courses are required for all Music majors to complete before graduation. Some courses, such as Music History, last for a semester or year and then are complete. Others, like Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, or Jazz Ensemble might repeat throughout the student’s Academy education.

Core requirements for all Music majors:
Computer Music Applications
Music History
Music Theory II and III
Private Lessons (required for every semester of attendance at IAA)
Performance Forum (required for every semester of attendance for 9th, 10th and 11th grade)
Stage Management
Senior Seminar

In addition the following requirements apply:

For Strings, Winds, Brass, and Percussion:
Orchestra (placement by audition)
Chamber Ensemble
Class Piano Sequence (entrance level determined by audition)

For Pianists:
Performance Class Piano
Accompanying/Keyboard Skills
Chamber Ensemble
Piano Literature

For Classical Guitarists:
Chamber Ensemble
Class Piano Sequence (entrance level determined by audition)

For Vocalists:
Acting Improvisation
Diction
Performance Class-Vocal
Song Literature
Opera Literature
Class Piano Sequence (entrance level determined by audition)

For Jazz Players:
Jazz Combo
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Theory
Class Piano Sequence (entrance level determined by audition)

In order to receive a Music Certificate upon graduation, majors must complete the coursework outlined above. Additionally, junior Music majors must perform a half solo recital (minimum 30 minutes of music) and senior Music majors are required to perform a full solo recital (minimum 45 minutes of music). Each student performing a recital must successfully pass a recital preview graded by the Music faculty. Previews are designed to ensure that repertoire chosen for the performance is appropriate and prepared for public performance in accordance with Academy standards. In the event that a student does not pass his or her recital preview, his or her recital may be rescheduled and a second preview may be arranged. Any student failing a second recital preview is not allowed to perform a solo recital and has not completed his Music Certificate requirements.

All students perform jury examinations each semester on their major instrument.