For Penn's best musicians, a chance to excel

As a sophomore, Kris Kazaks wanted to learn to conduct an orchestra, and he got the chance through a program with the Curtis Institute of Music in Center City.

But the 2003 College graduate was then the only Penn student taking advantage of that program.

Qualified students in Penn's Music Department and at the Curtis Institute of Music -- a very selective conservatory in Center City that sends graduates to some of the nation's best orchestras -- can take classes at both schools at no extra charge.

The program was established in 1988 and allows Penn music students of good standing to take an introductory conducting class, which isn't offered at Penn, at Curtis.

More rarely, participants in the program can take studio classes for instrumental performance.

Curtis students with the appropriate prerequisites can also take classes in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School.

The program "was available, but no one really knew about it," Kazaks said, adding that "it's definitely a great opportunity for Penn music majors."

The program is aimed at providing Curtis and Penn students with the opportunity to take classes not offered at their home institution or at a higher level than their home institution offers, Music professor Cristle Collins Judd said.

"The benefit of the program is it takes advantage of the strengths of the two institutions," Judd said.

However, few students from either school take advantage of the program. Not only was Kazaks the only Penn student in the program in 2001, but he was aware of only a few other students who had.

"We don't advertise it hugely widely because relatively few undergrads are likely to be qualified," Judd said.

Curtis senior Catalina Vicens, who has taken French, German, and biology classes at Penn, said that she had to research the program on her own.

Graduate Music students at Penn can also take advantage of Curtis' resources. The Curtis student orchestra often performs the original compositions of the Penn Composers' Guild, a group of graduate Music students, and the Curtis recital hall is used to perform compositions written by Penn Music professors.

Music Department officials are seeking other opportunities for students to engage with the Philadelphia music scene.

A new partnership with the Philadelphia Orchestra was launched this year, in which orchestra musicians provide master classes and free concerts in college houses.

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