Patel Conservatory's fall auditions

The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory will host auditions for upcoming classes for the 2014/2015 season.

A Year with Frog and Toad 

Grades 5 through 8
This performance-based program allows students to put into practice the skills they learn in the classroom. The program culminates in a ticketed performance of this whimsical musical, written by brothers Robert (music) and Willie Reale (book and lyrics), based on the Frog and Toad children's stories.
Auditions will be Mon., Aug. 25 and Tues., Aug. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Instrumental and Vocal programs
Grades 5 through 12
Orchestra, chamber and jazz musicians, and vocalists, hone their skills and gain vaulable ensemble experience.
Auditions will be Sat., Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to Noon

Rock School

Students are placed in bands according to age and skill level, and weekly rehearsals culminate in a fully-produced Rock School Blowout concert.
Auditions will be Tues., Sept. 2 and Wed., Sept. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.

For more information, or to RSVP for an audition, please call 813.222.1002.

Auditions for Patel Conservatory's 2014 summer music programs

The Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa offers an array of summer music camps and classes.

All interested students are invited to our upcoming auditions for placement in our music programs. Placement auditions help instructors recommend the appropriate classes for the students’ age and skill level.

For more details on our summer music programs, including dates and prices, click here.

Vocal Arts: Patel-A-Capella

Students in grade 7 through college will prepare arrangements of pop and musical theater songs. They’ll perform all solo and instrumental parts with only their voices and learn the fundamentals of beat-boxing and vocal arranging.

Auditions will be:

Sat., Apr. 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Mon., Apr. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Vocal Arts: Junior and Senior Show Choir

Students receive high-level vocal ensemble training in a show choir setting.

Auditions will be:

Sun., Apr.  6 at 10:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. (Summer Splash also on Apr. 6)

Mon., Apr. 7  (call for times)
Tues., Jun. 3 (call for times)
Sat., Jun. 7 at 9 a.m. or 12 p.m.

Rock School and Rock Star Retreat

Students in grades 5 through12 who have experience on an instrument (guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, vocals) learn classic and contemporary rock songs and perform in an end-of-the-session concert.

Auditions will be:

Mon., Jun. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Tues., Jun. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. (Open House also on June 3.)

Chamber Music

Students get ensemble playing experience and hone their techniques on their instruments.

Auditions will be:

Tues., Jun. 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Open House also on June 3.)

Sat., Jun. 7 10:30 a.m. (Open House also on June 7.)
Mon., Jul. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Jazz Improv

Students get ensemble playing experience and hone their improvisation techniques.

Auditions will be:

Tues., Jun. 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Open House also on June 3.)

Sat., Jun. 7 10:30 a.m. (Open House also on June 7.)

There is a $15 audition fee for all music auditions. RSVP is required. Please call 813.222.1002 or email patelconservatory@strazcenter.org.

Additional music classes and camps are available for all skill levels. For music programs that do not require an audition, click here.

For more information, please call 813.222.1002 or visit patelconservatory.org.

Don't miss our Youth Orchestra this Sunday

Treat yourself to an an afternoon of classical music and culture this Mother’s Day at the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra concert.

The nationally acclaimed Patel Conservatory Youth Symphony performs Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op.16: Movement III, with piano soloist Austin Shin, winner of PCYO’s 2010 Concerto Competition.

Shin, a 17-year-old student at Berkeley Preparatory School, began taking piano lessons at age 3.

“When I was about 12 years old, I started looking up performances on You Tube,” said Shin. Impressed by a video of Yundi Li performing Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu, Shin took a genuine interest in classical music. “I started watching other pianists and realized  I wanted to play more pieces other than the one in my yearly festival.”

Shin also plays violin and has been part of the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra since he was in the fourth grade.

“I started in the String Sinfonia, and I've moved up as I got older,” said Shin. When he was in the seventh grade, he had the opportunity to perform with PCYO by invitation at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

"It was a really great experience, I got to play on one of the most famous stages in the world," he said. "It was like being a part of something larger than yourself, which is what being in an orchestra means."

Being in PCYO, "you work with great musicians and other high school artists, and it's good being with other kids who have similar interests," he said.

The annual Concerto Competition is open to juniors and seniors from any instrumental group. The winner performs the piece with the Youth Symphony in concert.

“This year I was lucky enough to win,” said Shin.

The concert will also include the beautiful and romantic Symphony no. 2 by Howard Hanson, and performances from PCYO’s Junior Philharmonic (Jason Jerald, conductor), String Sinfonia (Sandy Neel, conductor) and Concert Strings (Colleen Strom, conductor).

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the splendor of these talented young artists! For tickets, click here.

Visit us at the show!

So much happening this week at the Straz Center. Tonight, with Dreamgirls in Carol Morsani Hall and the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra concert in Ferguson Hall, make sure you arrive to your events early and give yourself plenty of time to park.

Tuesday’s opening night of Dreamgirls looked like a lot of folks were rushing in from the office to the Straz Center. What better way to end the work day than with singing and dancing? Clutching their tickets and doing their own dance against the clock, a big crowd made it just in time.

If you arrive early, be sure to stop by our table in the lobby for information about classes and the upcoming season at the Straz Center. A lot patrons are looking forward to Billy Elliot next spring. In the meantime, get in the holiday spirit in December with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and the Nutcracker. 

Don’t forget, you can sign up for classes at the Patel Conservatory any time with our open enrollement.

At Tuesday’s Dreamgirls, there was some interest in the adult classes offered by Patel Conservatory.  One woman commented that she has always wanted to learn to dance and needs a true beginner class. I told her beginners are always welcome at Patel and that we'll save a spot on the dance floor for her.  Another woman was all smiles when I told her you are never too old to learn how to dance. The stage is set, she just has to make her entrance!

Charley Belcher checks out performing arts camps

Charley Belcher from Good Day Tampa Bay dropped by the TECO theater this morning to highlight some of our summer camps and classes, including dance, musical theater, rock n' roll and youth orchestra.

Thanks to all the performers who showed up bright and early for their TV spotlight! Check out videos from this morning's show:

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/good_day/charleys_world/charley-straz-camp-062810