by aspire | Jan 24, 2022 | News
The rapid transmission of the omicron Covid variant, as well as updated public health recommendations, have led us to make some adjustments to our Covid guidelines. We ask that every member of the Conservatory community follow all guidelines and requirements.
Recitals:
In-person recitals may take place in the Recital Hall under the following conditions:
- The recital must be pre-approved by the Dean’s Office.
- Maximum capacity in the Recital Hall is 45 people.
- Everyone, including performers, must wear a mask covering the nose and mouth at all times. N95 or KN95 masks are strongly recommended
- Voice students are required to wear an N95, KN95, or singer’s mask.
- Woodwind and brass students should use appropriate safety equipment (instrument bags or bell covers).
Covid Symptoms or Exposure:
If you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, stay home for five days following your exposure. Take a Covid test on Day 5. If you have no symptoms and your test is negative, you may return to MCW. Free Covid tests are available here: https://www.covidtests.gov.
If you or a family member are experiencing any symptoms of Covid, do not attend lessons or classes at the Conservatory for at least 5 days and take a Covid PCR test. Test results may take 1 to 5 days. If you have a positive test result, you may return to MCW when you have been symptom-free and fever-free for an additional 5 days.
If someone who has been in the Conservatory building subsequently tests positive for Covid, we will follow NYS health guidelines for notification of exposure.
Masks:
Everyone age two or older must wear a mask over your nose and mouth at all times in all spaces within our facilities, including studios, classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. N95 and KN95 masks offer the best protection; surgical masks are the next best choice, and cloth masks offer the least protection.
Students who cannot wear a mask for medical or other reasons may not take classes in the building but may continue with online instruction.
Social Distancing: Please respect social distancing in public spaces and within studios.
Other Precautions: Please observe existing building entrance and exit guidelines, as well as single-use rest room guideline. Soap and paper towels are available in all rest rooms. Hand sanitizer is available at the front desk.
Vaccines:
As per the CDC, we strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Conservatory employees are now required to be fully vaccinated in order to teach/work in the building.
by aspire | Oct 20, 2021 | News
Sentinel Builders LLC, a full-service general contracting and construction management firm with a strong portfolio of education, healthcare, corporate interiors, and retail projects, will celebrate the groundbreaking of a transformative project for the Music Conservatory of Westchester.
The project will bridge traditional music education with 21st-century technology-based innovation. The expansion will focus on 3,500 square feet of unfinished space on the lower level of the Conservatory building, which will be converted into five exciting new teaching spaces:
- Digital Piano Lab with keyboard/computer stations
- Professional-level Recording Studio with both audio and video feeds networked to the school’s Recital Hall
- Relocated Percussion Studio equipped for jazz and rock bands, percussion lessons, and networked to the Recording Studio.
- Large Rehearsal Studio suitable for music, theater, and dance instruction.
- Additional Music Therapy Studio to accommodate a growing enrollment of students with disabilities.
Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, Jean Newton, said, ” this is the final phase of the adaptive reuse of this building to create dynamic and innovative learning spaces for the next generation of music students” and the Board of Trustees issued a statement. “students will be rewarded with a state-of-the-art facility that is unique in Westchester County.”
Upon completing the project, MCW will become the first music conservatory in Westchester County to provide pre-college training in Sound Engineering and Studio Composition, preparing high school students for college programs and future career paths.
Ryan Jennings, President of Sentinel Builders, said, “we are looking forward to mirroring the mission of MCW, which is to provide the extraordinary benefits of music to everyone in Westchester and the surrounding communities. This new space will make that mission easier to accomplish.”
Groundbreaking will take place on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11am, and construction is expected to be completed and open in the Spring of 2022.
For further details, visit us online:
https://musicconservatory.org/support-us/legacy-
by aspire | Sep 15, 2021 | News
The Conservatory building opened on Monday September 13th for private lessons and group classes. We are watching the course of the Delta variant and we are committed to do everything feasible to help ensure the safety of our students, faculty, families and staff.
Please note that we expect to offer most instrumental lessons both onsite and online. Faculty and students may choose the learning option that best meets their needs and preferences. Depending on the status of the pandemic, we do plan to offer onsite woodwind, brass and voice lessons using available safety precautions that have been developed in the past year, including instrument bell covers/bags and special masks, in addition to larger-size classrooms, good ventilation, and social distancing.
Vaccinations
- All individuals who have received the Covid-19 vaccination will still be subject to all safety guidelines within the Conservatory building.
- Full Vaccinations are required for all woodwind, brass and voice students age 12 and above, as these instrument lessons may not allow for wearing a mask.
- Full Vaccinations are also required for students age 12 and above who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons.
- For students who cannot wear a mask and are not vaccinated, we offer remote lessons.
The following guidelines remain in place:
- All persons must enter the building at the 216 Central Ave. main entrances, with the exception of individuals requiring the use of the side entrance passenger elevator.
- All persons entering the building must wear a mask that fully covers the mouth & nose, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must remain in place for the entire time you are in the building. Please do not forget to bring your mask with you. The Conservatory will have a supply of masks at a staffed table in the main lobby for emergency situations.
- All persons entering the building will stop at the staffed table in the main lobby for a temperature check. Anyone with a temperature of 99.9 degrees or higher will not be permitted to enter the building.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available at the main entrance and in designated public areas.
- Elevators will be accessible only for physically challenged individuals, senior citizens, and those with baby carriages. No more than two people at a time may occupy the elevator.
- Interior hallway and staircase directional signs must be followed. You may access the second floor via the main lobby staircase. To exit the building, use the back staircase to access the side door to the parking lot. Traffic flow will be clearly marked.
- Lessons will take place only in designated studios large enough for social distancing.
- Pianos used for teaching will have the keyboards wiped down with isopropyl alcohol by the teacher in between each lesson.
- The teacher will open the studio door for student entrance and exit. Students should not touch door handles.
- Hallway and lobby seating will be available as follows: sofas are to be used only by family groups. Socially distanced individual seating will be available for all others. Chairs may not be moved from their designated positions.
- One adult may accompany a student into the building, escort the student to their teacher’s studio, and wait in designated lobby/hallway areas. A sibling may accompany the adult and must wear a mask and remain supervised at all times.
- Rest rooms designated for use by students and accompanying parents/caregivers will be clearly marked with signage and are limited to one person at a time; exterior door Occupied/ Unoccupied signage is posted.
- Should it be brought to our attention that someone who has been in the Conservatory building has tested positive for Covid, the Conservatory will follow CDC guidelines for notification and quarantine.
Cleaning Procedures
- Rest rooms and all high-touch surfaces (door handles, stair handrails, elevator panels, etc) are cleaned daily with disinfecting solution.
- Floors in public areas are vacuumed daily.
- The Conservatory’s HVAC ventilation system, located on the roof of the building, pulls a constant supply of fresh air circulated to every room. HVAC units are regularly cleaned and maintained, and have had recommended Merv air filters installed.
- The Conservatory has several portable air purifiers which are deployed as needed for specific lessons, classes, and performances.
by aspire | Aug 16, 2021 | News
The joy of Broadway is back! The Music Conservatory of Westchester is bringing Broadway stars back to Westchester County on Monday, September 20 for its in-person 20th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic and Gala at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase. The White Plains-based nonprofit community music school is celebrating twenty years of holding this annual fundraiser in a big way with a star-studded roster of Tony Award-celebrated honorees and performers.
Despite a challenging year due to the pandemic, the Conservatory has continued to serve its students through virtual lessons and music therapy services. The music school’s rapid transition to online music instruction ensured continuity and ongoing progress for students of all ages and abilities during a time when needed most. The Conservatory looks forward to fully reopening in the coming months.
The 20th annual fundraiser enables the Conservatory to continue its vital work of providing access and opportunities through our Scholarship Program for financially deserving students, Music Therapy Program for children and adults with disabilities, and Healing Our Heroes music therapy program for U.S. military veterans.
Tony Award-nominated actress Melissa Errico (My Fair Lady, Amour, Les Misérables) will emcee the event celebrating the incredible careers of the following luminaries:
- Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award recipient: Tony Award-winning actress and singer LaChanze (Broadway’s The Color Purple, Once On This Island, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical)
- Artistic Excellence on Stage and Screen Award recipient: Tony Award-celebrated stage and screen star, Terrence Mann (Broadway’s Pippin, Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, Netflix’s Sense8)
- Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Emmy and Tony Award-winning screenwriter playwright, producer, and author Alan Zweibel (Original Staff Writer of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Broadway’s 700 Sundays, Fame Becomes Me)
Among the talented Broadway performers who will serenade the audience at the 20th Annual event will be Arielle Jacobs (Broadway’s Aladdin, In the Heights) and Evy Ortiz (National Broadway Tour of West Side Story).
In addition to the live, in-person gala will be an auction with exclusive items on Bidding for Good. Access to bid in the Conservatory’s auction is available here: www.biddingforgood.com/ConservatoryAuction
To purchase tickets for the gala portion of the event or purchase golf and tennis sponsorships, visit: https://securepayment.link/musiced/annual-golf-tennis-gala/
Any questions about this event should be referred to Aishling Quinn, Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Development Officer at aishling@musiced.org
by aspire | Jun 30, 2021 | News
Congratulations to Aniketh Arvind, 15-year-old piano student of Dr. Mikhail Zeiger, for being one of the three winners of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra Teen Talent Competition!
A Conservatory student since 2016, Aniketh performed Grande Valse Brillante, Op. 18 in E Flat major by Frédéric Chopin. The competition was adjudicated virtually by nine highly qualified judges. Aniketh had learned the piece a few years ago and this was the perfect venue to showcase his talent in playing this complicated piece.
“I thank my piano teacher, Dr. Zieger, without whose support I would not have won this competition,” Aniketh said.
“Dr. Mikhail Zeiger is a fantastic teacher and mentor. His attention to detail in teaching every piece and the discipline he instills in ensuring good practice methods really set Aniketh apart,” Aniketh’s mother said of how lessons at the Music Conservatory of Westchester with Dr. Zeiger helped her son prepare.
“It’s a very unique feeling, after hours of hard work, to see that hard work paying off. And more than that, it is an even greater achievement to be recognized by such a prestigious symphony orchestra on such a grand level. I am truly grateful,” Aniketh added.
In addition to winning $500, Aniketh will be receiving 2 complementary 2021-22 Greenwich Symphony Orchestra season passes. He is invited to attend the first concert of the season on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at which time Aniketh will be publicly announced and recognized on stage.
The Greenwich Symphony Orchestra brings cultural enrichment, education and inspirational entertainment to the community through world class professional presentations of the finest symphonic music.
Aniketh’s piano teacher, Dr. Mikhail Zeiger, is a leading contemporary Russian composer and concert pianist. He holds a Doctorate in composition from the Moscow Conservatory and Masters degrees in composition and piano performance from Gorky Conservatory. As a composer, his works include symphonic, operatic, ballet, vocal, choral and chamber pieces. He has been a Conservatory faculty member since 2003
