P. I. TCHAIKOVSKY MOSCOW STATE CONSERVATOIREThe Moscow State Conservatoire was founded by the outstanding musician, brilliant pianist, conductor and musical activist, Nikolai Rubinstein. 1 September, 1866 is referred to as the birthday of the Moscow Conservatoire. In the 60th of the XIX century Claire Shuman and Richard Wagner gave philanthropic concerts in Moscow for the future high school. Piano classes were the backbone of the conservatoire from the very beginning. By the end of XIX century the Moscow school of piano, violin and cello art began to shape. The first rectors were N. Rubinstein, S. Taneev, and V.Safonov. Among its professors were P. Tchaikovsky, M. Ippolitov-Ivanov, N. Miaskovsky, D. Shostakovich, the leading composers and musicians of their time. Among its alumni that gained world recognition are S. Rakhmaninov, A. Scriabin, N. Metner, S. Richter, L. Kogan, and M. Rostropovich. Today the Moscow Conservatoire is one of the best music institutions in the world. Students are taught by highly professional and internationally recognized professors, performers, composers and scholars. The Conservatoire now is a whole complex of music teaching institutions. It includes the Conservatoire itself, the Music College, the Central Music School for gifted children and the Department of Military Conductors. The Moscow Conservatory offers regular full day time schedule of education. The Conservatoire has seven major departments: the Piano Department with organ and harpsichord classes; the Orchestral Studies Department including string, brass, percussion sub divisions and orchestral conducting; the Vocal Studies Department; the Choral Conducting Department; the Composition Department; the Music Studies Department including history and theory of music and musicology (history of music, theory of music); and the History and Theory of Performance Department. The Moscow Conservatoire’s S. Taneev Scientific-Music Library is one of the richest depositories of books and music in Russia. The Bolshoi (Grand), Maly (Small) and Rachmaninoff Halls play a significant role in the life of the Conservatoire and in the creation of its unique atmosphere, encouraging the development of its students’ creative abilities. Most students enter the conservatoire on competition basis. In order to enter as first year students of the main course students have to take their exams in the following subjects: specialty, solfeggio and harmony (written and oral), Russian (written and oral), piano. Entrance exams requirements are equal to standard Russian applicants’ requirements. The academic year is divided into two semesters. Classes take place since 15 September up to January 25 (I semester) and since 15 February up to 15 July (II semester). Upon graduation of the main course students are awarded a diploma of standard state format of the Moscow Conservatoire. There is also a post graduate education: professional training course – from 3 months to 2 years, postgraduate performance course – 3 years, postgraduate PhD research course – 3 years. Many students enjoy wonderful opportunities to demonstrate their performance skills on these stages. I. How well have you read? Can you answer the following questions? 1. When was the Moscow Conservatoire founded? 2. Who gave their money to the foundation of the Conservatoire? 3. What classes were the backbone of the conservatoire from the very beginning? 4. What names of the famous musicians are connected with the Moscow Conservatoire? 5. How many departments does it have today? 6. What are they? 7. What can you say about the library? 8. What institutions does the Moscow Conservatoire consist of? 9. What is it necessary to become a student? 10. How many terms does the academic year consist of?
SAMPLE MUSIC INTERVIEW QUESTIONS 1. Why do you want to be a music teacher? 2. Describe the place of music in the overall educational program? 3. What do you consider your greatest asset as a teacher? 4. What are some personality characteristics you feel are undesirable in teachers? 5. How did you feel about your favorite teacher? Why? 6. What are your strengths? Weaknesses? 7. How do you feel about weekend or evening activities and festivals? 8. How important is it for students’ teachers to be at their festivals? 9. How do you feel about competition? 10. How do your students describe you? 11. Describe a lesson in which you would use classroom instruments. 12. What do you do with a student who resists music? 13. Give some examples of materials you would use to build a diverse repertoire. 14. What are your keyboard skills like? Vocal skills? Secondary instrument skills? 15. Tell about your style of teaching, and what kinds of things you think are important in a music curriculum? 16. Briefly, describe your personal philosophy of music education.
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