Teaching – Curtis Institute of Music

Michael Sachs is the Trumpet Instructor at The Curtis Institute of Music.

http://www.Curtis.edu 

The size of the Curtis trumpet studio is typically a total of five students. This allows for an intimate and accessible setting for student-faculty interaction. The typical weekly curriculum of a trumpet student at Curtis consists of private lessons, a two-hour trumpet studio class, possible two-hour brass sectional repertoire class or brass choir, along with orchestra rehearsals and performances, and a variety of chamber music opportunities. All Curtis students take lessons with both me and Jeffrey Curnow (Associate Principal Trumpet, Philadelphia Orchestra) throughout each semester, with each student getting at least 11 hours with me and 3 hours with Mr. Curnow. We also plan to have an invited guest teacher visiting once per semester as well. 

The trumpet studio class covers a wide variety of topics every week ranging from how to take auditions, performance of a particular etude, orchestral piece, or solo piece, to how to clean and maintain your instrument. All students in the studio play in each class and we encourage everyone’s involvement in discussing ideas and perspectives.

Because of the smaller size of the studio, everyone gets ample playing opportunities including brass quintets and other chamber ensembles, as well as performing in a brass choir with all brass students, in addition to the many rehearsals and concerts of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. Because of the small number of students enrolled at Curtis each year, each brass student receives constant playing opportunities and assignments.

If you have any questions about the trumpet program at Curtis please go to the contact page of my website where you can send me a message, or go to the Curtis Institute’s website link above where you can find answers to many questions about our curriculum and application process.

For anyone interested in coming to see me for a lesson or coaching, or to have a session over ZOOM, I am always happy to try to accommodate these requests. Please go to my contact page and I’ll be glad to schedule a time to see you!