Preparatory Division
Welcome to University of Idaho's Music Preparatory Division, coordinated by Sam Welsh, DMA.
The "Prep" offers high quality music instruction in a university lab school setting. Our faculty includes Lionel Hampton School of Music professors, experienced professional musicians and student teachers working under professional supervision. We provide private lessons to students of all ages and levels in piano, voice, and several string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Our ensembles include the Greater Palouse Youth Orchestra and the Cantabile String Ensemble.
Ready to sign up? Please contact us at music-prep@uidaho.edu!
Questions about tuition rates? See our Tuition and Policies page.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Preparatory Division family.
Orchestras and String Groups
The Cantabile Strings Ensemble, directed by Giselle Hillyer, is for students in grades 5-8. Students wishing to audition must be enrolled in private lessons, either with Preparatory Division faculty or with outside teachers.
The Greater Palouse Youth Orchestra, also directed by Giselle Hillyer, is for students in grades 9-12 who play at Suzuki Book 5 level or above. Students wishing to audition must be enrolled in private lessons, either with Preparatory Division faculty or with outside teachers.
Director: Giselle Hillyer
Meets: Mondays, 4-5:30 p.m., Lionel Hampton School of Music 102 map
Tuition: $165 per semester
Rehearsal Dates:
- September 11, first rehearsal
- September 18, rehearsal
- September 25, rehearsal
- October 2, rehearsal
- October 9, rehearsal
- October 16, rehearsal
- October 23, rehearsal
- October 30 rehearsal
- November 6, rehearsal
- November 13, rehearsal
- November 20, Thanksgiving break, no rehearsal
- November 27, rehearsal
- December 4, rehearsal
- December 11, rehearsal
- December 18, rehearsal
- December 25 & January 1 Winter Break, no rehearsal
- January 8, rehearsal
- January 15, rehearsal
- January 22, rehearsal
- January 29, no rehearsal
- February 5, rehearsal
- February 12, rehearsal
- February 19, rehearsal
- February 26, rehearsal
- March 4, rehearsal
- March 11, Moscow & UI Spring Break, no rehearsal
- March 18, rehearsal
- March 25, rehearsal
- April 1, rehearsal
- April 8, final rehearsal
CSE Concert Dates for 2023-2024:
- November 11, 7:30 p.m., University Auditorium
- January 27, 4 p.m. Palouse Mall
- April 14, 2:30 p.m., University Auditorium
- Grades 5-8
- Enrolled in private lessons with a Preparatory Division faculty member or other teacher
- Enrolled in the orchestra program of their respective school (if available)
Cantabile Strings Ensemble provides a string orchestra experience for younger advancing string students who are in private lessons. It is recommended for string students who are performing at the level of Suzuki Book 4 and beyond. Admittance is by audition and private teacher approval. Please note that all members must be participating in their school orchestra program.
For more information or to schedule an audition, please email Giselle Hillyer.
Director: Giselle Hillyer
Meets: Mondays, 6 - 8 p.m., Lionel Hampton School of Music - ask your instructor about location map
Tuition: $165 per semester
Rehearsal Dates:
- September 11, first rehearsal
- September 18, rehearsal
- September 25, rehearsal
- October 2, rehearsal
- October 9, rehearsal
- October 16, rehearsal
- October 23, rehearsal
- October 30, rehearsal
- November 6, rehearsal
- November 13, rehearsal
- November 20, Thanksgiving break, no rehearsal
- November 27, rehearsal
- December 4, rehearsal
- December 11, rehearsal
- December 18, rehearsal
- December 25 & January 1, Winter Break, no rehearsal
- January 8, rehearsal
- January 15, rehearsal
- January 22, rehearsal
- January 29, no rehearsal
- February 5, rehearsal
- February 12, rehearsal
- February 19, rehearsal
- February 26, rehearsal
- March 4, rehearsal
- March 11, Moscow & UI Spring Break, no rehearsal
- March 18, rehearsal
- March 25, rehearsal
- April 1, rehearsal
- April 7, 7:30 - 9 p.m. rehearsal with Washington/Idaho Symphony
- April 12, 7:30 - 9 p.m. rehearsal with Washington/Idaho Symphony
- April 13, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 - 5 p.m., rehearsals with Washington-Idaho Symphony
GPYO Concert Dates for 2023-2024:
- November 11, 7:30 p.m., University Auditorium
- January 27, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Palouse Chamber Music Workshop, University Auditorium
- April 14, 3 p.m. with Washington-Idaho Symphony, University Auditorium
Entry Requirements:
- Grades 9-12
- Performing at a Suzuki Book 5 level or above
- Proficient music reading skills
- Enrolled in private lessons with a Preparatory Division faculty member or other teacher
- Enrolled in the orchestra program at school (if available)
The Greater Palouse Youth Orchestra (GPYO) includes students in grades 9-12 who commit extra time to the study of their instrument. The objective of the GPYO is to enhance the music curriculum currently offered in local public schools, and to provide a university-level youth orchestra program to area musicians.
Membership is by audition only. Auditions are held in August and January (for new members only).
For more information or to schedule an audition, please email Giselle Hillyer. You can download audition excerpts on this page.
Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Instruments
The Preparatory Division offers instruction for selected woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.
Woodwind Faculty
Tier I-A
- Flute: Leonard Garrison
Tier III
- Flute: Irene Koreski
Tier III
- Saxophone: Jackson Baldwin
Brass Faculty
Tier I-A
- Horn: Jason Johnston
Tier IV
- Trumpet: Robbie Cobden
Percussion Faculty
Tier I-B
- Percussion: Navin Chettri
Piano
The Prep Division Piano Area offers individualized private instruction for students of all ages. Students have many opportunities to perform on Steinway concert grand pianos in the LHSOM's beautiful performance halls.
Our piano faculty have extensive training in piano performance and pedagogy. For more information, please contact the Prep Division Piano Area's director, Sam Welsh.
Voice
The Preparatory Division offers instruction in voice.
Voice Teachers:
Kaitlyn Atchison