Enrichment Opportunity for Individual Instruction and Suzuki Talent Education Piano and String Students
Italian for “growing,” Crescendo encourages and promotes students’ growth at all stages of musical development. The program aims to develop well-rounded musicians, recognize students’ progress, and set benchmarks for advancing musical skills.
The Crescendo Program runs from September – May. Students may opt to register for the summer session from June – August.
The program guides students through graded repertoire levels, theory questions, and technical work. Crescendo also encourages the development of musicianship, motivates students by tracking and rewarding progress, develops performance skills, provides an opportunity outside the private studio for professional feedback, and helps develop the student into a well-rounded musician.
Student benefits include: Crescendo Labs, Juries, Gala Recitals, Award Ceremonies, and Play-a-Thons.
Preparatory Level through Artist Diploma: $160 per year
Pilot Track for Adult Students: $80 per year
Summer Crescendo: $40
Questions?
Performance Opportunities
Crescendo Play-a-Thon Sign-up
2026 – 2027 Play-a-Thon Schedule
Fall Semester: Sunday, November 22, 2026, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm, Performance Classroom 126
Spring Semester: Sunday, May 2, 2027, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm, Performance Classroom 126
Crescendo Student Resources
2026-2027 Calendar
Parents Meeting / Open House:
- September 30, 2026, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, online (Zoom link will be sent closer to the date)
Crescendo Music Labs:
- Field trip to the Schubert Club Music Museum – TBD
- Visiting a Chopin Society Artist Rehearsal – TBD
- Nov 1, 12:30 – 1:30 pm – I Shook Hands with Kabalevsky! Meet Minnesota Orchestra violinist Michael Sutton and hear his incredible story of spending an entire week with the composer Dmitry Kabalevsky.
Play-a-Thons:
- November 22, 2026, 1:00 pm & 2:30 pm
- May 2, 2027, 1:00 pm & 2:30 pm
Fall Juries Piano:
- Technical Juries – December 12, 2026
- Juries – January 23 & 24, 2027
Fall Juries Strings:
- Technical Juries, online only – December 6, 2026, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
- Juries, in-person – January 17, 2027, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Room 124
Spring Juries Piano:
- Technical Juries – April 24, 2027
- Juries – May 22 & 23, 2027
Spring Juries Strings:
- Technical Juries, online only – March 14, 2027, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
- Juries, in-person – May 16, 2027, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Room 124
Summer Juries
Dates TBD
Crescendo Galas:
- Fall Semester Gala – January 31, 2027, 4:00 pm, Antonello Hall
- Spring Semester Gala – June 5, 2027, 3:00 pm, Antonello Hall
*Times and dates are subject to change.
Crescendo for Piano Handbook
Crescendo for Piano Technical Checklists and Notations
Level 1 Technical Skills Check List
Level 1 Technical Skills Notation
Level 2
Level 2 Technical Skills Check List
Level 2 Technical Skills Notation
Level 3
Level 3 Technical Skills Check List
Level 3 Technical Skills Notation
Level 4
Level 4 Technical Skills Check List
Level 4 Technical Skills Notation
Level 5
Level 5 Technical Skills Check List
Level 5 Technical Skills Notation
Level 6
Level 6 Technical Skills Check List
Level 6 Technical Skills Notation
Level 7
Level 7 Technical Skills Check List
Level 7 Technical Skills Notation
Level 8
Level 8 Technical Skills Check List
Level 8 Technical Skills Notation
Level 9
Level 9 Technical Skills Check List
Level 9 Technical Skills Notation
Level 10
Level 10 Technical Skills Check List
Level 10 Technical Skills Notation
Crescendo for Piano Achievement Chart
Course Offerings
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Crescendo for Piano 2026-2027: ADULT
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Crescendo for Piano 2026-2027: YOUTH
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