Young Musicians I (ages 2-3)

Meets Thursdays, 4:15-5:00 pm, FA 222

The YC offers the youngest musicians (2-3 year olds) a weekly 45-minute class with children and their parents that serves as a fun and age-appropriate introduction to the mechanics of music.  Areas of focus include singing, rhythm, and motion.

Young Musicians II (ages 4-5)

Meets Thursdays, 5:15-6:00 pm, FA 222

Geared to pre-school aged children, this class introduction to the mechanics of music. The course focuses on movement, listening, and elementary music theory.  Completion of Young Musicians I is not required for students to enroll in Young Musicians II.

Beginning Group Piano

(ages 5-6) 

Meets Mondays, 4:05-5:00 pm, FA 216

Early elementary students can often benefit by learning piano in groups. Using an innovative curriculum called Piano Made Fun For the Young, students integrate singing and playing while they learn beginning concepts at the piano. It is recommended that students have a piano to practice at home.  This class may be taken in place of or in addition to private piano lessons.

Level A  Brillante (grades 1-2) 

Meets Wednesdays, 4:05-5:00 pm, FA 218

The Brillante course is geared toward the young elementary student who is just learning beginning note and rhythm reading skills. Concepts taught in Brillante include the music alphabet, the grand staff, note values, notes on the staff (including ledger line notes), time signatures, beginning pentascales (5-finger patterns), music signs and terms, ear-training and Mozart.

Level A  Animato (grades 3-5)

Meets Thursdays, 4:05-5:00 pm, FA 218 

The Animato course covers the same concepts as Brillante, but in a way that is geared towards the average age beginner. Some students who have  taken Brillante will benefit from a review in the Animato class.    

Levels AB  Accelerando 1      (grades 6-12) 

Meets Tuesdays, 5:05-6:00 pm, FA 220

The Accelerando 1 course moves quickly and covers the concepts presented in both levels A and B. The activities are geared towards the teenage beginner with little or no theory background. This class also serves as a great review for those who are a little rusty in their theory.

Level B  Energico* (grades 1-2) 

Meets Tuesdays, 4:05-5:00 pm, FA 218

The Energico course teaches second-year theory for the young elementary student. It reinforces first-year theory concepts and adds new concepts that reinforce the skills that are being taught in the student’s private lessons. *Requires a pre-requisite of level A theory or equivalent testing.

Level B  Spirito* (grades 3-5) 

Meets Thursdays, 5:05-6:00 pm, FA 220

The Spirito course teaches second-year theory for the older elementary students. This level is appropriate for students who have completed either Brillante or Animato and are ready to move on to more challenging concepts. Spirito covers major and minor penta-scales (5-finger) patterns and chords, intervals, more challenging rhythms, music signs and terms, ear-training and an introduction to Beethoven.

*Requires a pre-requisite of level A theory or equivalent testing.

Level C Con Moto* (grades 4-7)  

Meets Tuesdays, 5:05-6:00 pm, FA 218

The Con Moto course continues building upon fundamental theory concepts, while adding new ones including time signatures, major and perfect intervals, key signatures, major scales, triads, phrase structure, music analysis, music signs and terms, ear-training and an introduction to J.S. Bach.  

*Requires a pre-requisite of level B theory or equivalent testing.

Level D Con Brio* (grades 5-8) 

Meets Wednesdays, 5:05-6:00 pm, FA 218

The Con Brio course introduces simple and compound meters, the circle of fifths, more difficult rhythms, primary triads and inversions, themes, motives, phrases, two and three-part form, the 12-bar blues, music terms and analysis, ear-training and an introduction to Franz Joseph Haydn.   

*Requires a pre-requisite of level C theory or equivalent testing.

Level F Stretto* (grades 7-10) 

Meets Mondays, 5:05-6:00 pm, FA 218

The Stretto course teaches intermediate concepts such as harmonic minor scales and key signatures, augmented triads, seventh chords, figured bass and Baroque styles and ornamentation.   

*Requires a pre-requisite of level E theory or equivalent testing.

Composition & Improvisation*  (grades 3-5)

Meets Thursdays, 6:05-7:00 pm, FA 216

In this highly interactive class each student gets to work at their own keyboard in individual and group improvisation and composition activities.  Each week students

will learn a new tool of the trade that will then be applied to fun activities,

improvisation, score analysis, and original compositions.

*Requires a pre-requisite of at least one year of individual piano instruction.

Advanced Musicianship*          (grades 9-12)

Meets Mondays, 5:05-6:00 pm, FA 220

This course prepares high school-aged students in a variety of advanced musicianship concepts, including theory, aural skills, keyboard technique, and performance practice.  Regular master classes and performance experience are fundamental parts of this challenging class.

*Requires a pre-requisite of level G theory or equivalent testing.