A child learns to play
the piano through
the NIU Community School
of the Arts.
NIU’s Community School of the Arts offers a wide variety of art, music and theater classes and lessons for adults and children.
Sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the programs are taught by NIU student, faculty and community artists. Approximately 80 teachers offer lessons on most musical instruments as well as in art and theater. More than 600 community people from nearly 50 towns and cities travel to DeKalb for lessons and classes.
Scholarships awarded on the basis of need are available for children ages 18 and younger. The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 31.
Application forms are available by calling the office at (815) 753-1450 or online at www.niu.edu/extprograms. The NIU Community School of the Arts is located in Room 132 of the Music Building.
For more information about these or any of the other offerings of the community school, contact Renee Page at (815) 753-1450 or visit www.niu.edu/extprograms.
The public is invited to the annual Open House, which begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, to learn more about the many arts opportunities available in the NIU Community School of the Arts.
The event is held in the lobby of the Concert Hall in the NIU Music Building.
Free parking is available in the lot immediately adjacent to the Music Building on the south side. This lot is accessible from Castle Drive.
Staff and teachers will be available to answer questions about music lessons, classes and ensembles scheduled for fall and spring and to take registrations.
Free 15-minute sample music lessons are available from 3 to 5 p.m. To reserve a slot,
call the office at (815) 753-1450 no later than Wednesday, Aug. 29. There is a limit of one free sample lesson per person.
Two talks are scheduled at 4 p.m.
“Is Suzuki Right For You?” by Ann Montzka-Smelser. Learn more about this approach for teaching a young child to play violin, piano or guitar. Montzka-Smelser is the director of the Suzuki violin program at NIU. Room 101, NIU Music Building.
“How to Buy A Piano” by Dave Graham. Learn what to look for when buying a new or used piano for your own personal use. Graham is a registered member of the Piano Technicians’ Guild and has worked on pianos at NIU and the Lyric Opera of Chicago for about 25 years. Recital Hall, NIU Music Building.
A recital will begin at 5:05 p.m. in the Recital Hall. Students in the community school perform solos and in small ensembles.
Except where noted, supplies are not included. A list will be provided at the first class.
Art Express
Art classes for children and adults are offered Saturdays and Sundays this fall.
“Art Express” is a five-week, multi-media art class for children ages 4 to 12. This innovative, hands-on program encourages creative thinking in children as they explore a variety of creative art activities to stretch the imagination.
The class meets from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning Sept. 15 and is taught by NIU art majors enrolled in an art education class. All materials are supplied.
The tuition fee of $30 is waived for NIU staff, faculty and students who wish to send their children to Art Express. Indicate at the top of the registration form that you are a student or employee of NIU. The form and a $15 program registration fee should be sent to Room 132 of the Music Building.
Drawing the female fashion figure
“Drawing the Female Fashion Figure: A One-Day Art Project” is a free activity for students ages 10 to adult from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.
First, tour the exhibition at the NIU Art Museum: “Some Enchanted Evening: 100 Years of Evening Gowns.” Then, enjoy a related drawing activity. This is a great parent/child experience.
All materials are supplied.
Oil painting
“Oil Painting” is an eight-week class for students ages 13 to adult.
Students focus on the basic techniques of oil painting. The class meets from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays beginning Sept. 16.
Drawing
“Drawing – The Basics” is an eight-week class for students ages 13 to adult. Students learn the basic drawing elements of line, shape, value, texture and perspective through the use of still life and a live model.
The class meets from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays beginning Sept. 15.
Young children
Children are born with a love of music. Nurture this love by enrolling your child in one of the early education music classes or with a group piano class.
Ensembles
Playing a musical instrument with an ensemble is a great way to improve musicianship, as well as a wonderful way to meet people. The NIU Community School of the Arts offers a wide variety of ensembles for children and adults.
All the groups rehearse in the Music Building and perform regularly throughout the year.
Guitar
The guitar is a versatile instrument for creating music in many styles. The NIU Community School of the Arts offers both classes and private lessons, taught in the NIU Music Building, for beginning, intermediate and experienced guitar players.
Students must have a guitar for lessons and classes. Children might need a child’s-size instrument.
Children ages 6 to 10 with lots of imagination and energy learn more about the theatre world in a fun six-week class. The class meets at 9 a.m. beginning Saturday, Sept. 15, and is taught in the Stevens Building.
“Kinetic Energy” helps children develop stage skills through theater games that connect emotions with the body as they learn to sculpt with their bodies. Class activities include animal work, mime, improvisation, playing with nature and building a character.
Learn how to rewire consumer electronics into new noise machines and music-makers during a six-week class that meets on Sunday afternoons this fall.
“Circuit-Bending Workshop” demonstrates the basics of electricity and electronics to students ages 13 to adult who are encouraged to bring old electronic toys to class. The results are unique sound-generating creations. Safety precautions are explained and demonstrated.
The class meets from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the NIU Music Building from Sept. 23 through Oct. 28.