Special Music School
Encyclopedia
The Special Music School (New York City Public School 859), or SMS, is a unique New York public school for musically gifted children. The school is run as a public/private partnership between the New York City Department of Education
and Kaufman Center
, a not-for-profit, multi-arts organization. The Department of Education funds the academic portion of the students' education, while the music program is funded by private donations through Kaufman Center.
Intended for children with high musical potential, the Special Music School provides a rich musical and demanding academic education for grades K-8 through an integrated curriculum with a primary focus on music. Children have two private lessons per week in piano, cello, violin, flute, or clarinet, as well as classes in music theory, chorus, and movement. Three quarters of the students' time is spent on academic subjects. The school has partnerships with the National Dance Institute
, the Center for Educational Innovation, New Visions for Public Schools, Studio in a School, Teachers College, Columbia University
and the Metropolitan Museum of Art
.
Students from all five boroughs of New York City are eligible to apply for admission, which is by audition. Admission is extremely competitive. In recent years there have been as many as 500 kindergarten applicants for 15 spaces. The total enrollment for all grades (K-8) is approximately 135 students.
The school was founded in 1996 and was originally called The Special Music School of America. Inspired by the "spetsshkola," special music school system of the former Soviet Union, many members of the music faculty are Russian-conservatory trained musicians.
In the fall of 2006 the Special Music School established the after-school Young Artist Program for grades 9–12. It offers music students intensive after-school study courses. Each week students have classes covering ensemble coaching, literature and composition, music theory, and ear-training. Students also perform in chamber music and solo recitals.
In 2005, Special Music School Director Jenny Undercofler founded Face the Music
, a 45 member music ensemble composed of Special Music School students ages 11-17, focusing on performing works by composers of new music. In 2011 ASCAP awarded its Aaron Copland Award to both Face the Music and Director Jenny Undercofler.
New York City Department of Education
The New York City Department of Education is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city's public school system. It is the largest school system in the United States, with over 1.1 million students taught in more than 1,700 separate schools...
and Kaufman Center
Kaufman Center
Kaufman Center is a notable performing arts complex in New York City that houses Lucy Moses School, the Special Music School, and Merkin Concert Hall. Originally known as the Hebrew Arts School, it was founded in 1952 and is currently located on West 67th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam...
, a not-for-profit, multi-arts organization. The Department of Education funds the academic portion of the students' education, while the music program is funded by private donations through Kaufman Center.
Intended for children with high musical potential, the Special Music School provides a rich musical and demanding academic education for grades K-8 through an integrated curriculum with a primary focus on music. Children have two private lessons per week in piano, cello, violin, flute, or clarinet, as well as classes in music theory, chorus, and movement. Three quarters of the students' time is spent on academic subjects. The school has partnerships with the National Dance Institute
National Dance Institute
National Dance Institute was founded in the belief that the arts have a unique power to engage children and motivate them toward excellence. Under the artistic direction of Ellen Weinstein and a staff of professional dancer/choreographers and musician/composers, NDI strives to reach every child,...
, the Center for Educational Innovation, New Visions for Public Schools, Studio in a School, Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University is a graduate school of education located in New York City, New York...
and the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
.
Students from all five boroughs of New York City are eligible to apply for admission, which is by audition. Admission is extremely competitive. In recent years there have been as many as 500 kindergarten applicants for 15 spaces. The total enrollment for all grades (K-8) is approximately 135 students.
The school was founded in 1996 and was originally called The Special Music School of America. Inspired by the "spetsshkola," special music school system of the former Soviet Union, many members of the music faculty are Russian-conservatory trained musicians.
In the fall of 2006 the Special Music School established the after-school Young Artist Program for grades 9–12. It offers music students intensive after-school study courses. Each week students have classes covering ensemble coaching, literature and composition, music theory, and ear-training. Students also perform in chamber music and solo recitals.
In 2005, Special Music School Director Jenny Undercofler founded Face the Music
Face the Music (music ensemble)
Face the Music is an ensemble comprising 45 students from Kaufman Center's Special Music School and Lucy Moses School, ages 11–17, who focus on performing works from contemporary new music composers...
, a 45 member music ensemble composed of Special Music School students ages 11-17, focusing on performing works by composers of new music. In 2011 ASCAP awarded its Aaron Copland Award to both Face the Music and Director Jenny Undercofler.