Brass Department
Brass Department - Core Philosophy
“The Conservatory’s Brass Department offers all brass students at both the Duxbury and Hingham campuses a broad educational experience based on a strong foundation of basics. Our exceptional staff of artists/teachers provides students with individual instruction to help each young musician, from beginner to advanced, meet his or her potential and, most importantly, to develop a life-long appreciation for music. Throughout the year our students are encouraged to explore music through private lessons, master classes, chamber ensembles, and performances. Participation in these activities provides students with invaluable confidence that helps them grow as musicians as well as young adults.”
Brass Department Chair - Chris O'Hara
Chris O’Hara received his BM from Boston Conservatory and his Master of Music from Boston University. As an educator, he has served on staff at Maynard High School (Maynard, MA), Norwood High School (Norwood, MA), the Shenandoah Arts Academy (Winchester, VA), the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (Lenox, MA), The Festival de Musica de Camara (Aguascalientes, Mexico), and the International Institute and Festival at Round Top (Round Top, TX). Chris is a clinician for the Conn-Selmer Company and Denis Wick mouthpieces, mutes, and accessories and has presented numerous master classes and clinics around the country with Synergy and as a soloist. He performs exclusively on Bach Trumpets, the Conn Vintage One Flugelhorn, and Denis Wick mouthpieces and mutes, and can be heard on recordings on the Paraclete and AAR labels and has appeared on National Public Radio, NBC, and the Hallmark Channel.
Chris’s playing is described as "an awesome display of pure talent and musicality!" by the Park Rapids Concert Association. He began playing the trumpet at the age of nine in Bensenville, IL. By the age of 16, he had already formed his first brass quintet and performed several concerts throughout the greater Chicago area; Chris was honored by WGN television in 1995 for his efforts with that ensemble. Then, at 17, he was accepted to The Boston Conservatory and formed his second brass quintet, the Synergy Brass Quintet. As a founding member of the Synergy Brass Quintet, Chris has performed over 1,500 concerts covering 47 states and four countries at notable festivals such as the Ravinia Music Festival, the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Bethlehem Musikfest, the Boston Early Music Festival, the Festival de Camara de Musica in Aguascalientes Mexico, and the Nagoya Conservatory of Music in Japan. In addition, he has performed with distinguished artists including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, The Boston Pops, and Natalie Cole.
Outside of his efforts with the Synergy Brass Quintet, Chris has performed extensively throughout the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Federation of Russia. In 1996, he performed as part of the American debut of works by Gabrieli and Bassano that were rediscovered at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. As an advocate for new music, Chris has commissioned several works including Robert Martin’s Four Places in New York for two trumpets. In addition to performing, Chris is an avid arranger, having arranged over 100 works for brass quintet, brass and organ, trumpet ensemble, and solo trumpet.
Instrument Instruction
Private Lessons
Students may start lessons on flute, saxophone, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, trumpet, trombone, tuba or French horn as early as grade four or five. Students may begin Suzuki instruction on flute as early as age four. At the end of each 17-week semester, private lesson students receive a full evaluation from their teacher to keep the student and the parent apprised of the student’s progress. Private and semi-private lessons are offered at 30 minute,
45 minute, and 60 minute lengths. Group instruction (for three or more students) is 60 minutes in length. Click here for complete pricing.
Our lesson prices are based on two 17-week semesters. Students choosing to pay for a full year receive 34 lessons at the 32-week price.
| Private Lesson Rates: | ||
| 17 weeks | 34 weeks (if paid in full by 9/11/09) | |
| 30 minutes | $714 | $1344 |
| 45 minutes | $986 | $1856 |
| 60 minutes | $1258 | $2368 |
PLEASE NOTE: Paying tuitions online with PayPal does not register you for programs and lessons. Click here to submit an online registration request or contact our Registrar to complete the registration process.
Brass Department - Class Offerings
Basic Musicianship
Vartan Aghababian, Edwina Li, Margaret Li
Basic Musicianship is offered to all private lesson students to supplement their music literacy. These one hour classes review and teach basic elements of music such as keys and key signatures, time signatures, rhythms in various meters, form and basic solfege. Offered at various times during the week to accommodate student’s varying schedules. 12 weeks
All classes are 60 minutes
Hingham: Monday: 5:30, (7:00-adult), Wednesday: 2:30, 3:00,
Thursday: 3:00, 4:00, 5:30, 6:00, (7:00-adult)
Duxbury: Monday: 6:30, 7:15, 5:15, 6:45, (7:45-adult)
Be sure to let the registrar know at which time and location you wish to register.
Duxbury Registrar
(781) 934-2731 x10
Hingham Registrar
(781) 749-7565 x12
Spring Semester - $50 (classes starts the week of March 15)
| Hingham | Duxbury |
Honors Ensembles
Honors Jazz/Rock Ensemble sponsored by Thordis and Gary Gulden
Advanced students in the Honors Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Jazz/Rock Ensembles are chosen by audition, and perform throughout the year at the Conservatory and in the community. For a placement audition please call Donald Zook at 781-934-2731, ext. 16, by September 25, 2009, to schedule an audition time. For a Jazz/Rock Honors Ensemble audition, please call Ed Sorrentino at 781-749-7565, ext. 21 by September 25, 2009. All ensemble students participate in a chamber concert at the end of the semester. Honors Ensemble students receive a 50% discount off the regular ensemble rates. 24 weeks
$265/year
Jazz/Rock Honors Ensemble
Sponsored by Thordis and Gary Gulden
Ed Sorrentino
This ensemble represents the Conservatory and the Jazz/Rock Department at festivals and events. Instrumental and voice students are selected by audition. Students receive a 50% discount off the regular ensemble rates. Contact Ed Sorrentino at 781-749-7565, ext. 21 by September 25, 2009 for an audition time. 24 weeks
$265/year
Bay Youth Symphony (BaYS)
Music Director Jim Vinci
Managing Director Candace Kniffen
Artistic Director Steven Karidoyanes
BaYS is an auditioned*, sequential youth orchestra program designed to create an opportunity for dedicated and talented young musicians, living in communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, to perform symphonic music at a high level in a well organized orchestra program. In partnership with The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, the program offers ensembles at three levels: a string ensemble for younger students, an intermediate level full symphonic orchestra, and an advanced full symphonic orchestra. Artistic Director Steven Karidoyanes acts as artistic advisor and meets with the orchestras three times per year. Students are coached by SSC faculty members and area music educators. All rehearsals take place Wednesday Evenings at the Duxbury Performing Arts Center.
Dolce Strings (string ensemble) - Theresa Johnson, Conductor $325/year
Sinfonia (intermediate full orchestra) - Nicholas Tatarka, Conductor $375/year
Symphony (advanced full orchestra) - Jim Vinci, Conductor $450/year
*No audition is necessary for Dolce Strings. This performing ensemble is usually comprised of students in elementary school who have been studying their instrument for one or two years, and are ready for fundamental ensemble playing.
For more information or for an audition, please contact Managing Director Candace Kniffen at c.kniffen@sscmusic.org.
Visit the BaYS web page for complete audition and payment information.
Chamber Music
Chamber opportunities are available in strings, percussion, woodwind, brass, voice and mixed instruments with or without voice. Playing in a small group setting, with each participant focusing on his/her individual part, can greatly improve a student’s playing, and is a helpful supplement for any student in a school band or orchestra program. Placement auditions are required to ensure that students are placed with others at the same level of expertise. Students must audition by September 25, 2009 to be included in the fall semester ensemble program. For a placement audition please call Donald Zook at 781-934-2731, ext. 16 to schedule an audition time. Ensembles meet weekly for one hour. All ensemble students participate in a chamber concert at the end of the semester. 12 weeks
$265
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for private lessons for children whose families can document financial need. Application forms are available in the office and as a downloadable Word Document and must be filled out and returned prior to the first week of the semester. All applications will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, which meets before each semester to grant assistance. Recipients of scholarship aid must reapply each semester.
South Shore Conservatory admits students of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.