Music Classes

For young children

Prelude (ages 1– 3*) *first time 3-year olds enroll in Prelude
Sing, dance, play, and discover! Children explore and delight in the sights and sounds of our world through music listening, creative movement, songs, and lap games. The curriculum changes every semester. A caregiver must accompany each child.
Teacher: Bethany Lager, MB 103, Fee: $60
6 Tuesdays, June 19 – July 24, 6 – 6:30 p.m.

Development (ages 3* - 5), *first time 3-year-olds should enroll in Prelude.
Explore the world!  Learn basic musical patterns and skills through games, songs, creative movement, playing percussion instruments, basic music theory, and learning about some of the instruments of the orchestra. The curriculum changes every semester. This class provides children with the musical knowledge they need to begin private music lessons. A caregiver must accompany each child to class.
Teacher: Bethany Lager, MB 103, Fee: $60
6 Tuesdays, June 19 – July 24, 6:40 – 7:10 p.m.

Piano Starter for Children
Ages 6 - 7
Children explore the instrument in a fun, small-group setting. For parents, this is a golden opportunity to see if your child is seriously interested in learning to play the piano. Students learn basic notes and position of keys and play simple tunes.  Most of all, they have fun with the piano and with the other students. No previous experience is necessary. The piano book for Piano Starter is available at the first lesson. Class is limited to four students.
Teacher:  Barbara Wirz-Ellsworth, MB 420, Fee:  $75
6 Tuesdays, June 19 – July 24, 4 – 4:40 p.m.

For teens and adults

Guitar Basics
Section 1: Ages 9 - 12
Section 2: Ages 13 – adult
Learn the fundamentals of the guitar in this class designed for the beginning student. Learn to read music, play songs, and construct and play scales and chords. Gain knowledge about music theory and experience various styles of guitar techniques. No prior musical background is required. Students are expected to bring a guitar to class. The fee includes the cost of a book.
Teacher: Quentin Dover, MB 241, Fee: $71
6 Wednesdays, June 22 - August 1
Section 1: 7 - 7:55 p.m.  Section 2: 8 - 8:55 p.m.


Group Piano for Adults, Levels 1 and 2
Ages: 18 – adult
Students experience the joys and challenges of learning to play the piano. Classes are taught in a group piano classroom and each student has the use of a keyboard. Information about the book students are asked to purchase will be shared at the first meeting.

Level 1: For beginning students; covers the fundamentals of playing the piano and reading music. The topics to be covered include the basics of piano technique; reading music on the grand staff; the fundamental building blocks of music, such as scales, and intervals and chords. Students learn how to harmonize melodies and improvise simple tunes and to play solo repertoire, duets and ensemble pieces with fellow classmates.

Level 2: For students who have taken Level 1 or who have a good foundation on the instrument. Students continue the work of the Level 1 material, develop their technique, and play more complex music. Teacher: Susan Breitner-Hurm, MB 100, Fee:  $66
6 Mondays, June 18 - 23
Level 1:  6:15 - 7:10 p.m.  Level 2: 7:15 - 8:10 p.m.

Jazz Improvisation:  A 3-Hour Workshop
Section 1:  Ages 13 - 17
Section 2: Ages 18 – adult
Bring your instrument to this dynamic class about jazz improvisation.  The topics covered are jazz theory, learning the jazz vocabulary and applying the jazz vocabulary in improvisation.  The workshop is designed for anyone interested in improving his/her improvisation skills, band directors who want to learn to teach improvisation effectively and experienced musicians interested in improving improvisational ability.  It is recommended, but not required, that students have an intermediate-level ability on their instrument and some knowledge of music theory.  Each section is offered twice.
Teacher: Donnie Norton, MB 161, Fee: $30 per class
1 Tuesday. June 26 or July 10
Section 1: 1 – 4 p.m.  Section 2:  4:30 – 7:30 p.m.