Eastman Pathways Program
What is Eastman Pathways?
What are the paths? Where do they lead?
When and where are lessons held?
What is the admissions process?
What does the program cost?
What is expected of students?
What is expected of teachers?
Contact information
Student/Parent Handbook
What is Eastman Pathways?
Eastman Pathways is a unique program sponsored by the Eastman School of Music that provides outstanding Rochester City School District (RCSD) students with generous scholarship aid to pursue music studies at Eastman. Pathways students showing exceptional musical ability and commitment may be interested in pursuing a rigorous course of study leading to the Eastman Community Music School Pre-College diploma. The Pathways program is a component of the William Warfield Partnership between the Eastman School and the Rochester City School District. Named in honor of the world-renowned bass-baritone and graduate of both the RCSD and Eastman School, the William Warfield Partnership provides diverse music opportunities for students and teachers in the Rochester City Schools. Pathways lessons and course offerings are meant to enrich and not replace what is being taught in the RCSD. Students begin instrumental instruction in their city school and are eligible for Pathways as they advance. Up to 75 students participate each year in Pathways. An enrollment goal for Eastman Pathways is to achieve a student population that reflects the ethnic mix of the Rochester City Schools.
What are the paths? Where do they lead?
General Path (5th – 12th Graders):
New students may enter Pathways in 5th through 11th grade, with preference given to middle school children. Selected students are enrolled at Eastman in weekly, half-hour, private lessons in voice or on a musical instrument. Those exceptional younger students (4th – 5th graders) who audition and are accepted may be placed in “buddy” (2-person) lessons on an instrument or, for voice, in the Eastman Children’s Chorus (5th – 8th graders). All selected students may also enroll in a music theory, or audition for an ensemble at Eastman at the discretion of the Program Coordinator. Theory enriches the student’s musical experience and builds the foundation and skills needed to progress more quickly on the student’s instrument/voice. Interested and motivated Pathways students may elect to participate in one of the Eastman Pre-College Diploma programs by taking additional courses. See Diplomas for more information.
Collegiate Path:
Each year, up to two Pathways students who meet Eastman’s rigorous undergraduate admissions requirements will receive full-tuition scholarships for four years, with the understanding that they agree to return to city schools to serve as role models to work with, mentor and teach students in the RCSD and thus model what can be achieved through the Pathways program. This mentoring will be done during the student's undergraduate years at Eastman.
Requirements: Students must have participated fully in the Pathways program for a period of at least two years and be accepted for collegiate study at the Eastman School of Music.
When and where are lessons held?
Lessons and classes are held in downtown Rochester at the Eastman School of Music, 26 Gibbs Street. Some lessons and classes are also held in Messinger Hall, the adjacent building at 10 Gibbs Street. There are 34 lesson weeks from September through June. Teachers are assigned on the basis of instrument and availability. Lessons are scheduled for after school or Saturday at a time convenient for both student and teacher.
What is the admissions process?
New Students
- Step 1 – Ask your RCSD music teacher about this program. Information letters are available each February. Attend the Eastman Pathways Open House in February.
- Step 2 – In March, RCSD music teachers recommend talented students for consideration in Pathways. No student will be eligible without his or her RCSD music teacher’s recommendation. Recommendations are based on successful participation in the school’s music programs and demonstrated musical talent and aptitude.
- Step 3 –The Application: In March, recommended students must complete an application for the Eastman Pathways Scholarship Program at the Eastman Community Music School office located on the 3rd floor Messinger Hall, 10 Gibbs Street.
- Step 4 – Audition: Recommended students in Grades 4 through 10 are invited to audition in the spring so that a committee of Eastman Community Music School and RCSD music faculty can assess their musical potential, interest and motivation.
- Contact the ECMS office (274-1400) in April to schedule an audition.
- Auditions take place the last Friday and Saturday of April.
- Students are expected to prepare for this audition, and to perform scales, as well as short musical pieces or excerpts that demonstrate their level of achievement in tone and technique.
- Step 5 – Students will be notified whether or not they are accepted by mid-May.
Returning Students
- Continuation in Eastman Pathways must be earned; it is not an entitlement
- All students must reapply annually.
- In March, students ask their RCSD music teacher to recommend them for continuation.
- In March, the student and parent must complete an application at the Eastman Community Music School office.
- Auditions are not required for students who receive the necessary recommendation from the ECMS teacher. Those who receive a conditional recommendation must re-audition in April. See Student Handbook for Evaluations. [Link to Evaluations when it's up.]
All Accepted Students
Attend a mandatory Orientation Meeting in early June to register for lessons and classes and pay registration fee.
What does the program cost?
Eastman Pathways is funded by the Talented Students in the Arts Initiative, a collaboration of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Surdna Foundation, and by the Eastman School of Music, with generous assistance from local and national foundations, corporations, and friends.
- There is no cost for ½ hour private lessons or chorus for students whose families earn less than $40,000 per year.
- Students whose families earn over $40,000 annually will be charged a fee toward ½ hour private lessons, based on a sliding scale ranging from 12% to 85% of tuition.
- The scholarship may include one music theory, history, jazz, or piano class each year at no cost, regardless of family income.
- Students may increase the length of their lessons to 45 minutes or longer by paying the tuition rate for the additional time; scholarships cover the first half-hour of lessons only.
- Parents will be notified of any tuition payments for which they are responsible by the orientation meeting in June, provided they have submitted their most recent IRS form.
- All Scholarship students must pay a $20 registration fee each year.
What is expected of students?
See Pathways Student/Parent Handbook for more details.
Students are expected to:
- Practice diligently and show commitment to the program.
- Come to all lessons and classes prepared and on time
- Participate in the annual RCSD All City Concert
- Participate annually in either or both the MCSMA and NYSSMA solo festivals
- Perform in at least one recital at ECMS – Saturday, Studio or Pathways
- Participate in home school music ensemble
What is expected of teachers?
Eastman Community Music School teachers are expected to:
- Notify the Pathways coordinator of unexcused absences or regular tardiness to lessons or classes. The ECMS office secretary will then send notices of absences to the parent and RCSD music teacher.
- Monitor the student’s progress through entry, mid-year and year-end evaluations.
- Alert the parent and/or Pathways coordinator of problems that may be impeding the student’s musical progress.
- See that each student performs an annual exam or jury and participates in at least one Eastman Community Music School recital or studio recital each year.
- Help the student select and prepare an appropriate piece for performance at the MCSMA and/or NYSSMA Solo Festivals.
- Attend faculty meetings or workshops with other Eastman Community Music School Pathways teachers.
RCSD teachers are expected to:
- Recommend outstanding students who participate in their school music programs for Eastman Pathways.
- Notify the Pathways coordinator:
- On the musical progress of Scholarship students at the end of each semester of the school year.
- Of scholarship students’ continued participation in school band, jazz band, chorus or orchestra.
- Of problems that may be impeding the students’ progress in his or her lessons at Eastman.
- Help scholarship students find appropriate instruments that are in good working order.
- Register scholarship students annually for participation in NYSSMA and MCSMA Solo Festivals.
- Annually recommend and register all Pathways students for the RCSD All City Festival.
Contact information
Jan Angus, Program Coordinator Eastman Pathways,Eastman Community Music School: 274-1960, jangus@esm.rochester.edu
Deborah Harloff, Instructional Director of the Arts, K-12
Rochester City School District: 262-8939 ext 2221, Deborah.Harloff@rcsdk12.org
Kevin Coughlin, Eastman Pathways RCSD liaison
Wilson Foundation Academy, 463-4100 x 4052, KMCoughlin@aol.com
Eastman Community Music School: 274-1400, www.esm.rochester.edu/community.