Music Conservatory Of Westchester

Outreach programthe conservatory's music therapy institute (mti) was established in 1986 to expand its programs to include individuals with disabilities. Today the program serves 1,900 children and adults, providing individual and small - group music therapy onsite at the conservatory, and group music therapy on an outreach basis in partnership with 30 community partners, including public school districts, special education programs, medical facilities, senior care centers, and social service agencies. Services are provided by a faculty of 12 board - certified music therapists who hold undergraduate degrees in music and masters or doctoral degrees in music therapy. The conservatory building includes a dedicated music therapy unit with four session studios and an observation room fitted with one-way mirrors and head sets, enabling parents, caregivers and other therapy providers to observe sessions. Mti has received awards from arts westchester and from ascap (american society of composers, authors and publishers). In 2013, mti established healing our heroes, providing music therapy services for u.s. Military veterans dealing with war - related injuries, at no cost to them or their families. Serving 15 - 20 veterans each year, the program provides each veteran with two to three years of weekly individual music therapy sessions, as well as two weekly group sessions: music for self-care which helps veterans learn to use music for relaxation and stress reduction; the veterans band which gives veterans to opportunity to make music together and to compose original songs. Healing our heroes has been recognized and supported by disabled amerian veterans, and is featured in music vets, a recently released documentarty film about the challenges faced by veterans dealing with the wounds of war as they struggle to readjust to civilian life. Music vets was premiered at the kennedy center in october, 2023 and has had screenings at the bedford playhouse, new york university and other locations.

Performancesperformance is an integral component of the conservatory's educational process, with student and faculty performances taking place at the conservatory and in the community. Students have opportunities to perform as soloists, and in performing ensembles in recitals taking place thorughout the year. Faculty concerts offer an opportunity to hear high level professional performances in comfortable, familiar locations. All concerts are free and open to the public. The majority of student recitals take place in the conservatory's beautiful 150 - seat recital hall, and are recorded from the control room of our recording studio. Two faculty ensembles - the mcw faculty string quartet and the mcw faculty jazz ensemble along with additional faculty guest artists - are currently performing in-person in our recital hall and live-streamed concerts from our recording studio. Community concerts also take place in local libraries, community centers, health care and senior care facilities, and other similar venues. Our students and faculty are also invited to perform at benefit events for other nonprofit organizations. Master classes are scheduled at the conservatory in which selected students are coached by guest artists. Performance classes for students in our honors and prep programs additionally provide opportunities for our advanced high school students to hone their performance skills.