Important Dates for the 2025 Fall Semester:

First Day of Fall Semester

Saturday September 14, 2024

Thanksgiving Break (No Pre-College)

Saturday November 30, 2024

Final Concert for Fall Semester

Saturday December 14, 2024

About

The goal of the Fried Music Pre-college Program is to immerse young musicians of all backgrounds in an inspirational and motivational musical environment. The conservatory-style program will facilitate musical maturity through weekly performances, chamber music, and orchestra. The Pre-College Program is offered under full scholarship (with a participation fee) and acceptance is based on the audition. It takes place on Saturdays from 10am-5:30pm at Fried Music in downtown Alhambra. 

Please read the following information carefully as certain things have been updated since the previous years of our program.

Eligibility

Applicants must be committed to their musical journey and display strong motivation to the pursuit of high-level playing. Students will be accepted at 12 years old to 18 years old. Exceptions to the age limit can be made on a very rare and special occasions. Private lessons are not included in the Pre-College Program. Students are required to take private lessons, either through Fried Music or with a teacher not affiliated with the school, in order to participate in the program. A student’s level will not rise without weekly, one-on-one guidance. 

Fried Music Fellows

Fried Music is proud to announce that all applicants will automatically be considered to become a Fellow of the Pre-College Application. This opportunity will be highly selective; only several spots are available among accepted Pre-College students and will only be offered to the top auditions. It is possible that a Fellow may not chosen. Fellows will receive priority selection in guest masterclasses, programmed concerts throughout the year (both solo and chamber), and can apply for financial support in order to attend or apply to music related activities, such as festivals and competitions. Financial support for each Fellow will be offered at a maximum of $200 per semester. Fellows must present an acceptance letter, application fee, and/or receipt (such as for travel) in order to receive funding.

Junior Chamber Music

NEW! The Pre-College Program will also allow created groups to merge into the Junior Chamber Music program. JCM is not directly affiliated with the Fried Music Pre-College; therefore, students must be prepared to pay the $690 tuition fee to JCM directly for the year. Participating in JCM would open up more opportunities for the students, such as chamber music and concerto competitions, additional masterclasses and workshops, concerts, and international tours. Invitation to the tours will be extended to the top students of the program. No additional rehearsals or coachings need to be scheduled outside of the regular Pre-College Saturdays during the year. All Pre-College students are very strongly encouraged to participate!

Students do not need to fill out an additional application form through JCM nor perform another audition. The Pre-College application process covers the JCM application and audition.

Audition Rules + Requirements

Applicants must prepare two contrasting pieces for their audition. Examples include: Bach or classical sonata movement with a romantic or 20th/21st century piece. Memorization is required for all solo works and showpieces. String players should bring a pianist to their audition if their music requires accompaniment. If you are unable to find one, you must let us know in your application and we can refer you to pianists around the area. 

The audition will be 15-20 minutes long, and will include a short interview. Please bring at least one copy of your music for the jury to reference.

If the applicant is unable to be at the audition in person (due to reasons such as vacation plans made far in advance or sudden sickness), we will accept Zoom auditions or video submissions via YouTube. However, in-person auditions will be prioritized and we recommend applicants only take this option if they absolutely cannot be in Alhambra, CA on August 17, 2024. 

Application Information/Fee

The application form must be filled out by all applicants in order to receive an audition. All applicants should submit a short biography of their musical background and a statement of their reasons for applying in our Pre-College Program. 

The application fee of $75 is nonrefundable and must be paid with the application to be considered complete. The late application fee is $85.

Students interested in applying to both Junior Chamber Music and our Pre-College Program will be able to pay a discounted, combined application fee of $125. The late application fee is $150. Please select the correct option in your application.

Scholarship Retainment + Participation Fee

Fried Music’s mission is to encourage young musicians of all backgrounds to reach their highest potential through dedicated practice, chamber music, performance class, and orchestra. Through weekly Saturday attendance in our program, students must show respect and passion in the pursuit of excellence; this musical ambition will benefit them as people in their lifetime, as well as open up their minds to creativity and artistic expression.

Due to the nearly full-scholarship nature of this program, Fried Music upholds the level of the students to the highest caliber. Scholarship retainment is contingent on the students’ attendance, class participation, and artistic preparation. Expectations include weekly preparation for coachings and rehearsals in both chamber music and orchestra. If students are consistently unprepared, it will be detrimental, not only to their own progress, but to their musical partners as well. 

Scholarship value: $3,000 per semester / $6,000 per year

All accepted students receive this scholarship. Scholarship covers tuition, performance opportunities, and recreational activities. If the student’s attendance and preparedness are not upheld to the full scholarship level, their scholarship will be revoked.

Participation fee: $250 per semester / $500 per year

This fee ensures the seriousness of the student’s participation. Financial aid can be granted based on merit and need.

Fried Music reserves the right to expel students who display a disregard for the seriousness of the program and a lack of preparation for each coaching or rehearsal.

Curriculum

The focus and purpose of the Pre-College Program is to enhance the playing ability of our students. Plenty of playing, performing, and practicing is the number one priority during these Saturdays. Although chamber music is at the center of the program, solo playing must be also held to a high standard. The program is meant to support all aspects of a students’ musical development. Therefore, if preparing for a competition or concert, students should notify the faculty, and they will be granted extra time in practicing and performance opportunities in order to prepare to their best ability.

The morning session will be flexible as the needs of the students change through the year. Ear training, basic theory, technique class, etc. may be offered during the morning hours. The afternoon session consists of rehearsals and chamber music coachings. Occasionally, guest artists will lead a masterclass. Groups may have the opportunity to play alongside Fried Music faculty members. All of these assigned chamber groups are preparing for a final concert at the end of each semester (Dec and May) in which they will showcase the music they had been working on for several months. The December concerts will take place at Fried Music II. The final concert in May will take place at a larger, rented venue. Chamber groups should plan to remain together for the full year. Following the chamber music sessions, the string students will participate in orchestra, while pianists will take performance class and/or have extra time to practice. 

Community engagement concerts around the area will be organized throughout the semester. Students will play solo and/or chamber music.

Sample Schedule 

*subject to changes during the semester

10am-12:30pm Performance Class/Practice/Technique Class

12:30-1:30pm Lunch

1:30-3:30pm Chamber Music Rehearsals/Coachings

4:00-5:30pm Orchestra/Piano Class

Attendance

We understand that there are sometimes complicated commitments with outside schools/institutions that will require students to miss a day or half day of Pre-College. Exceptions can be made based on early notice and infrequency of absences; however, if students are unable to attend most, if not all, of our Pre-College dates, we would not recommend participation in our program. The best preparation and playing level will only be achieved with regular participation in rehearsals and coachings. Students should be on time and ready to start by 10:00am. Participation in the both end-of-term concerts is absolutely mandatory.

Sickness, required artistically-involved conflicts, and/or conflicting school events are considered excused absences. Notice must be given as early as possible (at least a week before for events that are previously scheduled). Choosing to skip Pre-College for a non-required event is considered unexcused. However, if you have a non-required event you absolutely wish to participate in (such as a long-time planned family event, gig, etc.) and have an excellent attendance record to date, you may be granted approval to take this absence. The request must be submitted in a timely manner and approval must be granted to consider the absence excused.

We have a zero tolerance policy for unexcused absences.

Full year commitment to the program is required (not by semester) in order to best benefit the students.

For questions or more information, email info@friedmusic.com (EN/中文)