2011-2012 Class Offerings

Pre-Kindergarten Music
Elementary Music
General Music
Band
Orchestra

Community Children's Choir

Pre-Kindergarten Music Class - Open to the General Public:
This 30-minute class will be an energetic and educational class for students ages 2 through K4.  Classes will include many song styles and activities with lots of movement.  Throughout the course of the school year, they will also get to see, hear, learn about, and “play” several instruments from the four instrument families, as well as some unique ethnic instruments.

This class will meet once a week.  While not required, escorting adults are encouraged sit in and even participate.  At least one parent per class will be required to assist in classroom management if more than 5 students are enrolled.  Instructor - Dr. Brian Faulkner.

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Elementary music - Home School Students Only:
Elementary 1 for ages 5 to 7
Elementary 2 for ages 8 to 10
Classes meet once a week for approximately 45 minutes.  Classes will include lessons on the elements of music - melody, rhythm, form, harmony, tone color - as well as lessons on various styles of music and composition. Throughout the course of the school year, they will also get to see, hear, learn about, and “play” several instruments from the four instrument families, as well as some unique ethnic instruments.  They will learn and sing various styles of music.  In the course of their singing, they will be taught the importance of singing the right pitches of songs making them better singers and musicians. Other lessons include concert etiquette as a performer and an audience member, and many others.  They will perform in at least one concert per semester.  Concerts will consist mostly of singing, but may also involve instrument playing and acting as well.   Instructor - Shirley Faulkner.

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General Music - Home School Students Only:
Students ages 11 and up meet once a week for approximately 45 minutes.  These classes will cover the elements of music – melody, rhythm, form, harmony, and tone color.  They will also be introduced to styles of music, music history including Arkansas music history, composition, and concert etiquette.  They will see, hear, learn about, and “play” a variety of instruments during the lessons on tone color.  This class may or may not perform in concerts, determined by student population.  If they do not perform on the stage, they will assist as stage crew at all performances.  Instructor - Shirley Faulkner.

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Community Children's Choir - Open to General Public:
Ages 6 to 12. This choir meets once a week for an hour.  Students will be exposed to a variety of styles of music, as well as music theory (note reading, rhythm, harmony, etc.).  There will be a lot of vocal training included.  Students will also learn how to use and follow choral sheet music.  They will also receive instruction on concert etiquette.  Previous training is not required.  This is a NON-auditioned choir.  Instructor - Scott Arnold.

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Band - Open to General Public:
Band is open to students ages 10 and up.  Even parents are invited to learn the instrument they never got to in school.  Band is offered at three levels of ability, starting with beginning band.  The other levels will be intermediate and concert.  Students must complete all assigned exercises with competency to move to the next level band. 

Beginning band students must attend a tryout or audition.    Tryouts are for beginning band students.  Students are given the opportunity to try each instrument with a qualified person assisting them.  The director will review the assessment taken by the instrument official.  To ensure success, the student’s instrument choice should be based on their interest and the director’s input.  Students will spend the first four weeks or so learning to read music, proper posture, and breathing.  No instruments will be needed until the fourth or fifth week of class.  Students will be required to provide their own instrument.  The director can assist with locating an affordable instrument.  Students will also be required to purchase the books assigned.

Students with previous instrument experience interested in joining an ACME band must audition for placement.  The audition consists of a brief written test, a prepared piece, and a simple sight-reading test.

The bands will perform at least once each semester.  Concert band also serves as a community band for community events in the River Valley as needed.  Beginning and Intermediate bands meet once a week for about an hour 15 minutes each meeting with required practice time outside of the class.   Concert band meets once a week for about 1 hour. Instructor for Beginning and Concert Bands- Shirley Faulkner; Instructor for Intermediate Band - Sarah Nelson.

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Orchestra - Open to General Public:
This ensemble will consist of violin, viola, cello, and double bass and will be for students ages 9 through adult. Orchestra is offered at three levels of ability - beginning, intermediate, and concert. Students and at least one parent will need to attend a brief informational meeting and instrument fitting.  Students will be required to provide their own instrument.  The director can assist with locating an affordable instrument.  Students will also be required to purchase the books assigned.

Orchestra will meet once a week for 1½ hours each meeting with required practice time outside of the class. 

Beginning Orchestra Instructor - Shirley Faulkner

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