PREPARATORY PROGRAM
Preparatory Program for Classical Guitar
A conservatory-track curriculum for serious pre-collegiate guitarists. Graded repertoire and technical standards benchmarked against the RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) and Trinity College London examination syllabi, with progressively escalating demands from foundational technique through advanced solo performance.
STRUCTURE
Grades 1–8
BENCHMARKS
RCM · Trinity
ADVANCEMENT
By Faculty Review
I.
Historical Literacy
Students develop fluency across the guitar's core repertoire from the Renaissance and Baroque through the Classical and Romantic periods, understanding stylistic conventions — not just notes.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Three Pillars
II.
Technical Accountability
Every grade carries defined technical benchmarks — tone production, right-hand facility, left-hand independence, and scale and arpeggio fluency. There is no advancement without demonstrated mastery.
III.
Musical Independence
From the intermediate grades onward, students develop the interpretive and analytical skills to work independently on new repertoire at a pre-professional standard.
Syllabus Preview
Each grade lists representative works from three categories: core solo repertoire, études and studies, and technical focus areas. Expand any grade to review its syllabus.
ASSESSMENT & ADVANCEMENT
Advancement is earned, not assumed.
ADVANCEMENT REQUIRES
Technical consistency across all required skills
Stylistic accuracy appropriate to each period
Secure memorization (from Grade 6 onward)
Mature musical interpretation
Sight-reading at grade level (from Grade 5 onward)
PLACEMENT & PROGRESSION
Initial placement by audition or faculty review
No automatic progression between grades
Eligible for RCM or Trinity examinations at each grade
Upper-grade students prepared for competitive auditions