Piano Department

Piano Department Information

As a piano student at WCMS, there are numerous opportunities to participate in recitals, workshops, and special events. In addition to the Piano Department events listed below, there are additional events open to all WCMS students as well as events for Adult Learners (see our event calendar for more details). WCMS offers private piano lessons (ages 5+), a Suzuki Piano program (ages 4-1/2+), and a number of ensembles and bands that welcome piano and keyboard players of all ages.

Event Guidelines for 2024-2025 School Year

All event details are subject to change. Please check our event calendar for updates and registration links as well as all-school performance and learning opportunities.

Young Pianists’ Recital: “Composers and Their Music”
Friday, November 15, 2024
6:00 PM if one concert | 5:15 and 7:15 PM if two concerts

• Signup Process: By teacher nomination (deadline: November 1). Nominated students will receive a questionnaire to be completed a week from the recital date.
• Ages: 6-10
• Requirements: 1 or 2 repertoire pieces (no more than 5 minutes total), polished playing, memorization encouraged but not required.
• Dress Code: Concert attire including dresses, dress shirts, dress pants, dress shoes. No jeans, gym pants, or sneakers.
• Participants will be notified of their concert and call times no later than one week before the concert date.

Sight-Reading Workshop
Sunday, January 26, 2025
2:00 PM

• Instructor: Rieko Tanaka
• Experience Required: Late intermediate to advanced level are invited to participate
• Signup Process: Online registration on a first-come, first-served basis
• Free for WCMS students; $15 for the general public

Piano Department Adult Learner Workshop
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
6.30–8:30 PM

• Guest Artist: Patrick Elisha of M. Steinert & Sons, discussing the secrets of piano construction and how your performance can be enhanced by that knowledge
• Signup Process: Online registration on a first-come, first-served basis
• Number of Participants: Maximum 4 performers
• Repertoire: One polished piece, maximum 8 minutes in length. All participants should bring their own copy of their music to the workshop, and submit one copy to the front office at least two weeks before the workshop date.

Piano Department Master Class
Saturday, March 8, 2025
4:00 PM

• Guest Artist: Isabella Yun Li
• Dress Code: Concert attire including dresses, dress shirts, dress pants, dress shoes. No jeans, gym pants, or sneakers.
• Signup Process: By teacher nomination; speak with your teacher if you’d like to participate
• Repertoire:
• Ages: 10-18

Junior Pianists’ Recital
Friday, March 28, 2025
6:00 PM if one concert | 5:15 and 7:15 PM if two concerts

• Signup Process: By teacher nomination. Nominated students will receive a questionnaire to be completed 1 week prior to the recital.
• Ages: 11-14
• Requirements: 1 or 2 repertoire pieces (no more than 7 minutes total), polished playing, memorization encouraged but not required.
• Dress Code: Concert attire including dresses, dress shirts, dress pants, dress shoes. No jeans, gym pants, or sneakers.
• Participants will be notified of their concert and call times no later than one week before the concert date.

Spring Piano Evaluations
Saturday-Sunday, April 5-6, 2025

• Participants: WCMS or non-WCMS students who are taking lessons with a WCMS faculty member.
• Signup Process: Sign up online upon teacher’s approval.
• Priority Deadline (for WCMS students only): Dec. 21, 2024
• Final Deadline (both enrolled WCMS students and general public): Jan. 31, 2025
• Call Time: The assigned time will be communicated to each student a few weeks in advance.

Piano Honors Concerts
Friday, May 9, 2025
5:00 PM and 7:00 PM

• Signup Process: By teacher nomination. All nominated participants will receive a questionnaire to fill out which must be completed at least one week prior to the concert.
• Ages: 10-18
• Requirements: 1 or 2 repertoire pieces (no more than 8 minutes total), memorization required, polished playing.
• Dress Code: Concert attire including dresses, dress shirts, dress pants, dress shoes. No jeans, gym pants, or sneakers.
• Participants will be notified of their concert and call times no later than one week before the concert date.