FAQs

Graduation Process

What will the new graduation process be like?

• Student and teacher choose a piece from each of the Royal Conservatory repertoire lists for the appropriate level.
• When all of the pieces have been learned and performed for the teacher at a high level, one is selected to perform on the next solo recital.
• Faculty members submit the names of any students who are graduating to the office on the recital program form. Students must have their pieces ready for performance at the time of the program submission.
• At the solo recital, another OCM faculty member will write an evaluation of the student's performance. This evaluation will not determine whether the student graduates but rather serve as an additional tool for developing a culture of excellence at the school.
• At the end of the recital, the student will receive the graduation award.
• The recital evaluation will be given to the student's teacher to discuss with the student in the next lesson.

Graduation Process

Why does OCM offer a system of graduations and awards?

Omaha Conservatory of Music offers a system of graduations and awards to recognize students' progress and achievements, to motivate them, and to build a culture of excellence. By celebrating students' accomplishments within the graduation and awards system, OCoM's artist-faculty encourages them and helps them to recognize their own progress. The graduation and awards system is designed to build on all three of the core intrinsic motivators identified by researchers Richard Ryan and Edward Deci: connectedness, competence, and autonomy. First, having a set of common goals and being recognized in front of their peers strengthens students' sense of connectedness. Then, by achieving clearly defined goals of excellence and having their work honored, students recognize their growing competence as musicians. Finally, students have an opportunity to express their autonomy within the system by moving at their own pace, choosing which goals to pursue or not to pursue, and choosing their repertoire within each goal. The only means of reaching their goals is the autonomous work that they do. The system encourages students to strive for excellence by building their skills through pedagogically sequenced graduation levels and working toward specialized achievement awards. It defines what excellence is and establishes a high standard of performing within the school.

Enrollment

If a student wants to purchase another bundle once the first one has been completed, do they need to apply via the website?

No. Simply send an email to kaifritchman@omahacm.org. Another invoice will be sent out by Admissions (and you will be notified) within a few business days.

Enrollment

What if a current student’s sibling wants to enroll in the fall?

They are considered as a new student. In order to be matched with a teacher, they will need to fill out an official inquiry found on our website under Individual Lessons.

Enrollment

How do I select multiple teachers upon re-enrollment if my child has two instruments?

Follow the Re-enrollment Packet process for the first individual lesson in the Student Info section. At the bottom of the page, please add any additional individual lesson instrument requests in the Additional Notes box. Please include the instrument, teacher, and lesson length.

Enrollment

How do coachings function?

Students may purchase coachings by filling out an official inquiry found on our website by clicking on Get Started! Coachings cost more per hour due to the flexibility required. They are not intended to be used long-term, and if a student misses, the teacher is expected to make them up.

Named Scholarships

How can I establish a named scholarship?

A named scholarship at Omaha Conservatory of Music for one year is established with a contribution of $2,500 and maintained by an annual contribution in that amount. This sum is distributed among two to three students based on merit; each is designated a (Name) Scholar.

Named Scholarships

How are recipients chosen?

An awards committee, chaired by the Conservatory's Executive Director, Ruth Meints, is convened every June. Members of the committee include artist-teachers experienced in the scholarship determination process and OCM Board members. The committee reviews essays written by scholarship applicants, hears their auditions, and interviews them. A group is then chosen to receive needs-based scholarship awards. Selected members of this group are then awarded additional merit awards and are designated as Named Scholars.

Named Scholarships

How are named scholarship donors recognized?

The biography of the individual(s) — or history of the organization for which the scholarship is named — is published in each awards program. The named scholarship and the names of the donors and recipients also appear in all Conservatory programs and publications. To express their gratitude, recipients of Named Scholarships will be available to perform a private recital for the donor and guests so that the recipients may express their gratitude, and the inspiring results of the donor's generosity may be experienced first-hand.

Named Scholarships

Are there named scholarship alternatives?

Yes. You can establish a named scholarship for longer than a year but less than forever.

Named Scholarships

Can named scholarship donors ask that recipients have certain qualifications?

The Conservatory will take into consideration a donor's wishes regarding the talents, qualifications, and interests of recipients. As named scholarships are awarded on a merit basis, it cannot be guaranteed that the most deserving students will have those qualifications. What can be guaranteed in each recipient are outstanding, demonstrated personal and artistic qualities that make that student a highly qualified recipient.

Named Scholarships

Whom should I contact for more information about named scholarships?

Call our Development Director, Mark Kresl, at (402) 932-4978. Mark will answer any questions you may have and set up a meeting with a Conservatory board member and/or Named Scholarship donor for further discussion.