Photos and video

Group and orchestra events

Annual Events

Annual String concert:
Piano Festival:
Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Mary Ann at (319) 337-4156.

Weekly practices

Go to Calendar homepage to download full schedule/calendar.

Registration policies and forms

Thank you for your interest in the Preucil School of Music. If you have trouble downloading the forms, please install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

To put your child or an adult student on our waiting list for lessons:

1. Please read the Enrollment Process carefully:
Enrollment Process for lessons
2. If your child is under 5 years old, please read:
Pretwinkle Partner Lesson Information
3. For information about lesson tuition and fees:
Fee Structure 2008-2009
4. Print and complete the Placement Form:
Lesson Placement Form
5. Print and complete the Observation Form:
Observation Form
6. Send the completed forms and the $35 placement fee to:

Preucil School of Music - Main Campus
524 N. Johnson St.
Iowa City, IA 52245-2840

Financial aid is available.

Registration Policies

The Preucil School of Music is a non-profit, tax-exempt institution and attempts to keep its fees as low as possible. Your cooperation with the following policies will insure efficient business procedures at minimum cost.

1. Enrollment must be made for the academic year. Tuition is based on the full academic year of 37 weeks. Students registering after the term has begun will be charged from the date of their first lesson. Tuition is divided into 9 equal payments, with the first & May payment due at registration. For each succeeding month tuition is due by the 10th, with a $10 late fee added after that date. A $15 service charge will be assessed for each returned check. There are no monthly statements sent by the School. Please note when payment is due and mail accordingly or pay in person at the office.

We believe in the importance of excellent musical training in a child’s total development, and need the parents’ commitment & encouragement at those times when interest lags in any regular discipline. Following through with projects begun is also an important lesson for the child. Thus we ask parents to observe the method in action before enrolling, and then fully intend to remain in the program for the entire academic year, unless the teacher determines that the child is not yet ready. The School reserves the right to discontinue any student who does not exhibit sufficient interest to progress.

2. Summer session enrollment may be for all or part of the weeks offered, with tuition due in full when registering.

3. If you have any questions or reservations about your training, we encourage you to discuss them with your teacher. If you would prefer to discuss them in confidence with the Director, please call the office for an appointment.

4. Procedure for discontinuing lessons:

a) Pick up discontinuance form in the office.

b) Fill out, sign and ask teacher to sign.

c) Turn into office and pay any remaining fees before the 1st of the next month to avoid being charged for that month.

d) The May deposit payment will not be refunded. For students graduating or moving during the year, the deposit will be used for the last month’s attendance, if six weeks notice is given.

5. Tuition entitles a student to school membership and scheduled weekly lessons. The full monthly fee is paid whether or not the student attends all lessons and no credits or refunds will be given for student absences. Notification of inability to attend a lesson is appreciated, but does not excuse payment for contracted lessons. No refunds, credits or make-ups will be given for group class fees once the classes have begun.

6. All faculty Lesson Schedules are posted in the inner lobby of the School. To avoid losing a lesson which cannot be attended, please check these Lesson Schedules and arrange to trade lessons with another student, notifying the teacher of any changes. Students who miss a lesson due to illness and give the office 24 hour notice may request a make-up lesson (scheduled at the convenience of the faculty member). This make-up is offered once a semester within two weeks of the absence.

7. Group classes will not meet on days when the Iowa City School District cancels or dismisses classes early due to inclement weather. Individual lessons may be held depending on the ability of the teacher and the student to reach the School. Call the School to be sure your teacher is available or to cancel your lesson if you cannot arrive safely. If you have properly notified your teacher, every attempt will be made to make up individual lessons missed due to weather. Classes will not be made up.

8. If a faculty member is absent, the lesson will be made up.

9. The annual Hancher String Concert and Clapp Piano Festival are part of the curriculum for all students. The activity fee is charged whether or not a student participates in the events.

10. Limited Scholarship funds are available for continuing students in need of financial assistance. Application forms may be obtained at the office in April for the following year and will be due by April 30 for consideration. Notification of scholarship awards will occur before fall registration.

The continuance of the Preucil School is made possible through the generosity of the many parents and patrons who contribute to the ENDOWMENT FUNDS and ANNUAL

Group class

Group performance classes meet weekly to work on technical skill development, repertoire review, and musical style in a motivational setting. Students are placed in a class according to ability level at the beginning of the school year, and remain in this class throughout the year.

On occasional Fridays, all group classes of a single instrument are combined for a "play-in." "Play-ins" give students at various levels of advancement the experience of playing together in a large group. They also serve as rehearsals for outreach performances and our annual concert in Hancher Auditorium.

Group classes give the student the opportunity to work with various teachers at the School since the teacher of the group class may not be the child's regular lesson teacher. Parent attendance is not required at group classes, but is recommended. Parents can utilize many ideas from the teacher of these sessions in home practice. It is also helpful to observe the child's participation, behavior, and preparedness. Even though the children are having fun and the teacher occasionally asks for applause, this is a lesson, so observers (including siblings) are asked to sit quietly.

Book One violin and cello classes meet on Thursday afternoons. All other elementary and intermediate classes (and orchestras) meet on Friday afternoons. Advanced string classes and orchestras meet Monday afternoons. One fee covers both string class and orchestra participation.

Orchestras

The orchestra program at the Preucil School is an essential companion to the weekly lesson, expanding the technical, reading, and musical skills developed in the lesson. It is designed to motivate and meet the needs of school-age children, divided into age and ability appropriate groups. The training gained from continuous participation in the orchestra program culminates in membership in the Preucil School String Orchestra.

Discovery Strings: For begining readers in grades 1-3. This non-performing group is the earliest reading group for violins, violas and cellos. Unison playing, basic applied theory, sight singing, study of composers and the orchestra are all parts of the curriculum.

Opus I: For grades 2-5. This performing group practices the fundamentals introduced in Discovery Strings and begins simple part playing.

Opus II: For grades 5-7. Fluency in reading of early positions, basic rhythms and keys, independent part playing, ensemble skills and performance practices are stressed.

Concert Orchestra: For grades 8-9. Goals are to continue developing orchestral skills, with technical fluency and speed in the first three positions, in multiple flat and sharp keys, complex rhythms and careful dynamics.

The Preucil School String Orchestra: This group, numbering 75 students aged 13 through 18, is the most advanced of five training orchestras at the School. It has performed extensively in the Midwestern United States and been featured at international teacher conferences and on Public Television. In 1991, on a tour of Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria, the orchestra won the first prize for String Orchestra at the Vienna International Festival for Music and Youth. On succeeding concert tours, the orchestra has traveled to England in 1994, Germany in 1997, Italy in 2001, and the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria in 2005.

Students join an orchestra or move to the next level at the recommendation of their teacher when specific skill requirements are met. The orchestra experience provided by the Preucil School is an integral part of our comprehensive training, and all students are urged to take part from the time note reading is introduced, through the most advanced level. Most students also participate in their Junior and Senior High School orchestras for further musical experience and fellowship.

Espressivo Strings

The Espressivo Strings is a performance group made of those advanced violin students who are interested in expanding their skills and repertoire beyond what is possible in the private lesson. Students who have completed the Suzuki repertoire in excellent fashion are eligable. Members range in age from twelve to eighteen years old. The director is Doris Preucil, and pianist is Richard Bloesch.

The weekly rehearsals work on perfection and memorization of music to be performed, sightreading, and exercises to build individual technique and ensemble skills.

Music ranges from Baroque to Contemporary, with emphasis on Romantic Violin Pieces associated with salon performance in the early 20th century.

The group has performed in the midwest, Japan, and England. It has also been featured on two Christmas Pops Concerts with the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra.

For performance availability, please call Doris Preucil at (319) 337-2558.

Ensemble con Brio

Ensemble con Brio is a performing group for violinists in books 6 – 8+. Students must be recommended by their teacher, and there are no age requirements. The group will be supplementing the standard Suzuki repertoire with additional pieces. Members must be willing to put in additional practice time. The goal is to create a young performing group of violinists with good posture, pitch, and tone that can be called upon to represent the school in public appearances when opportunities occur. From time to time, the group may combine with Espressivo Strings for special appearances.

The group meets at 4:00 – 5:00 pm every Monday at the Main Campus Lower Level Rehearsal Room. Those students who are in PSSO leave early to travel to the North Campus for orchestra. The other members will remain at the Main Campus for their 5:15 Concert Orchestra rehearsal. Repertoire groups for Hancher will preempt the con Brio rehearsals. Linda Judiesch is the leader of the group.

NOTE: All students participating in Ensemble con Brio must participate in the appropriate Preucil Orchestra.

Cello choir

The Preucil School of Music Cello Choir offers our advanced cello players another ensemble opportunity. Consisting entirely of cellists, we explore chamber music in 2-12 different parts. In the past, we've played everything from Classical to Ragtime! Rehearsals are centered around ensemble practice, and also serve as an advanced technique class. The cello choir is an invaluable supplement to orchestra and a private lesson. This group is performance oriented, and will perform throughout the year. Enrollment in either concert orchestra or PSSO is required to join the cello choir.

Junior Cello choir

Junior Cello Choir is an ensemble made up of only cellos. This group is and introductory course to Cello Choir. It is open to 6th-9th graders or book 4-6. We will explore music in 2-8 parts. Students learn to play independently within a group. It is a great class to build reading skills. There is nothing like the sound of a large group of cellos playing in harmony!