Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center MUSIC PROGRAM Student Information & Registration Handbook - - - - - - - 2018-2019
Table of Contents Activity Assistance...7 Attendance Policy, Lesson Cancellation...8 Community School of Music...3 Instructors...12 Late Fees and Past Due Accounts...6 Make-Up Lesson Scheduling...8 Payments...5 Philosophy...3 Practice Requirements...9 Private Music Lesson Calendar...4 Recitals and Rehearsals...9 Registration...5 String Instrument Selection, Rental, and Purchase...11 Strings Instructional Methods...10 Withdrawal from Lessons...7 COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC The Community School of Music, a partnership between the ARCC and the NSU Music Department, offers private music lessons. Traditional band and orchestra instruments, harp, guitar, and voice lessons are available for all ages. Lessons are taught by advanced level music majors attending NSU or qualified teachers from the community at large. Contact Information: Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center 225 3rd Avenue SE Aberdeen, SD 57401 Phone: (605) 626-7081 Email: arcc@aberdeen.sd.us Website: www.aberdeen.sd.us/arcc www.facebook.com/aberdeenrecreationandculturalcenter PHILOSOPHY The ARCC Music Program and the Community School of Music strive to provide the highest quality music education at affordable rates in a supportive environment that nurtures the development of creative musical expression for all ages. 3
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS CALENDER Classes are held on the same day at the same time of each week; the schedule of the ARCC Music Program does not follow school calendars. Sign up for Notify Me to receive email and text alerts for both canceled and make-up classes. Select the ARCC Music at: www.aberdeen.sd.us/notifyme ARCC Music School Calender August 23 rd : Registration Begins September 10 th - 14 th : First Week of Lessons October 8 th : Native American Day, No Lessons Fall Strings Recital: Sunday, November 18 th November 21 st - 23 rd : Thanksgiving Break, No Lessons Fall Band/Guitar/Voice Recital: Sunday, December 9 th December 24 th - January 4 th : Winter Break, No Lessons January 7 th - 11 th : Lessons Resume Spring Band/Guitar/Voice Recital: Sunday, April 8 th April 16 th - 22 nd : Snow Days / Easter Break, No Lessons April 29 th - May 3 rd : Last Week of Lessons Spring Strings Recital: Sunday, May 5 th REGISTRATION & TUITION Registration for classes begins late August and continues while teachers are available. Registrations can be made in person at the ARCC, by phone, or online. Registration for classes is for the academic year (September - April). You will be billed each month regardless of attendance. PAYMENTS Tuition for lessons is an annual fee for a set number of lessons that is paid in monthly installments. Sales tax will be added at the time of payment. Scheduled days off are factored into the calender. Tuition is due by the 20th of the month prior for which lessons are held. Payment Schedule Payment A: Upon Registering Payment B: September 20th Payment C: October 20th Payment D: November 20th Payment E: December 20th Payment F: January 20th Payment G: February 20th Payment H: March 20th 4 5
PAYMENTS & LATE FEES Payments can be made in person, over the phone, or online: https://webtracaberdeensd.us How to Pay Online 1. Click on Register for Activities and Passes 2. Login to your account (If you don t know your username and password, call us! Every registered household has one.) 3. Select My Account on the top of the page. 4. Select Pay Old Balances. 5. Select classes & add them to your cart, then proceed to checkout. Late Fees: A $5 late fee is assessed on the last day of the month for each payment missed. Bills are mailed only when the account is past due. 30 Days Past Due - Participants will receive a notice stating that the account must be paid in full. (one missed payment + current + late fees) This must be done by the 20th of the following month or the student may not be allowed to receive further lessons. 60 Days Past Due - If the account becomes 60 days past due, a notice will be sent to the participant stating that the student will be expelled unless the balance is paid in full. (two missed payments + current payment + late fee) *You are liable for unpaid fees. Failure to pay your account in full could result in the loss of participation in any other Parks, Recreation and Forestry activities. ACTIVITY ASSISTANCE Reduced fee tuition is available for youth 17 years of age and under from qualified low-income families. Youth who are eligible to participate in the program may sign up for any department activity, class, or youth pass at a 70% discount. Verification of income and applications can be made at the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry main office, located in the ARCC complex. WITHDRAWAL FROM LESSONS You may withdraw from lessons at any time by completing a Class/Drop Transfer form. These forms are available at the ARCC front desk. Tuition may be credited or refunded for students who have dropped. Household credit and refunds may only be given for months with a zero attendance. No refunds for session classes after the session has begun. Any student who does not attend lessons for 4 consecutive weeks without giving notification will be dismissed from the program. All fees leading up to the date of notification will be levied on the household account. 6 7
ATTENDANCE POLICY Regular attendance is expected. Students must notify the instructor or the ARCC as soon as possible of anticipated absenses. Please call the ARCC at 626-7081 and leave a message with desk staff. Students may schedule one make-up lesson per semester (September-December & January-April) for a missed lesson. Refunds will not be given for unexcused absences. If a makeup lesson is cancelled by the student, then the lesson shall be considered made-up by default. LESSON CANCELLATION Class cancellations may occur due to weather, instructor illness, etc. In case of inclement weather we ask that parents listen to local radio stations. Emails and texts will be send via the ARCC Music Notify Me service for those signed up to receive them. For other cancellations an attempt will be made to contact parents by phone as soon as possible. Lessons canceled by the ARCC or the instructor will be rescheduled. Make-Up Lesson Scheduling Make-Up lessons will be scheduled by the teacher as soon as he or she has time available. Possible make-up dates when the building will be open from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: November: 21 st, 23 rd // December: 26 th, 27 th, 28 th January: 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th // April: 16 th, 17 th, 18 th, 19 th, 22 th REQUIREMENTS & EXPECTATIONS Students must purchase a large folder to hold music, a small notebook for assignments and notes, and a pencil. They are required to bring these to each lesson. Students are requested to arrive for their lesson a few minutes early to have their instrument, music, and accessories ready for the lesson. Students should also use the bathroom before they enter the studio for their lesson. Before the lesson, students will sit quietly in the hall (with parental supervision if necessary) until the instructor opens the door to the studio and invites them in. Students are expected to have practiced their music in the week prior to class and be prepared once inside the studio. Parents are asked to check in with the instructor either before the lesson begins or after the lesson has ended for feedback and suggestions on the student s progress. Students should practice daily. Even a daily practice session of 15 minutes a day will increase the comfort level of the student with the instrument and improve agility and musical skill on the instrument. RECITALS & REHEARSALS Band/guitar/voice solo and/or small group recitals will be held on December 9 th, and April 7 th, strings solo and/or small group recital will be held on November 18 th, and May 5 th. Rehearsals for the small groups will be scheduled prior to the recital. Students will not be charged for these rehearsals. *Requested attire for all recital performances is formal or business casual clothing. 8 9
STRINGS INSTUCTIONAL METHODS Strings Program students have a choice of two distinct ways of learning their instruments. SUZUKI METHOD - Based on the mother-tongue method, which means that the student learns (initially) by ear and by note. The advantage of this approach is that it allows the student to focus on the act of playing and the sound of the instrument without distraction by the complexity of reading. Hallmarks of the Suzuki approach are the following: encouragement, small steps, parental involvement, progress based on the child s readiness instead of on a timetable, listening to recordings, and observing other students and the teacher. Suzuki lessons offer a family approach. Parents attend lessons and help students practice at home. The parent does not need to be musically trained; they serve as a role model for the young player between lessons. The family listens to recordings of songs as much as possible for the best learning experience. The goal of Suzuki is not to develop virtuoso violinists, but to cultivate sensitivity, discipline, concentration and sociability. Instruction will be offered for those ages 4 and up and will include a combination of individual and group lessons. TRADITIONAL METHOD - Emphasis is placed on reading music very early. Instruction is often one-on-one with the instructor. The student does not usually interact with other students at their skill level, except in recitals or concerts. The parent is requested to monitor a student s practice (at least record the amount of time their child practices), but is usually not a part of the practice itself. STRING INSTRUMENTS: SELECTION, RENTAL & PURCHASE It is requested that beginning students meet with the instructor prior to purchasing an instrument. Beginning Suzuki students start study with a box violin or cello and dowel bow. During that time they will be measured for the correct size instrument. Within 1-2 months you will need a violin - not at the first lesson. Please check with the instructor before finalizing a purchase to make sure the instrument is adjusted correctly and in proper condition. An instrument can cost anywhere from $100 to $500+ depending on it s condition (new or used) and the instrument s size. As children grow you will need to sell or trade-in for a larger instrument. Previous students in the Suzuki program may have instruments which you can purchase from them. Please wait for specific information from your teacher before obtaining an instrument. If you do look into buying, it is best to have a guarantee that instruments can be returned or will be fixed for no extra cost. Consider if the instrument may need new strings, bow hairs replaced, fine tuners, etc. Some instruments are available for rent from the instructor at a monthly fee with a signed contract of terms and conditions. Harp students lacking an instrument may practice on a harp at the ARCC or an alternate location for a fee to cover future repairs and the replacement of strings. Practice times must be scheduled during ARCC or alternate location hours of operation and coordinated around other harp lesson schedules. 10 11
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS Brandon Barrett - Guitar, Voice Brandon is a senior at NSU from Britton, SD. Brandon is majoring in Vocal Music Education. He also plays and teaches guitar. Kayla Duncan - Voice Kayla graduated from NSU with a degree in music and psychology. She has performed in several musical ensembles including vocal jazz and chamber choirs. Tyler Beck - Guitar, Strings, & Voice Tyler is from Leola. He is a senior presently majoring in voice at NSU. Elsa Swanson - Voice, Band Elsa is a senior at NSU majoring in music education. Elsa has studied voice, piano, French horn, and trumpet. She has participated in several ensembles at NSU including the symphonic band, Chamber Singers, and brass quintet. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling, and listening to podcasts. Joe Berns - Strings Joe is from Perham, MN. He studied music at the College of St. Benedict and St. John s University. Joe is currently the orchestra director at CHS in Aberdeen. Roger Frank - Percussion Roger is a percussion major at NSU from Gregory, SD. Roger is heavily involved in the jazz department and also enjoys playing in the symphonic band and orchestra at NSU. 12 13
Nancy Ohnstad - Strings Nancy received her BA in Music from SDSU. She has attended many music workshops, Suzuki summer camps, and conventions. Nancy taught Suzuki method violin at the MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis, MN, and the University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI. She has also taught strings and vocal music in public schools in MN and WI. Nancy has played violin in leadership positions in many orchestras in SD, MN, and WI. She is currently a member of the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony. Nancy has been the ARCC Strings Program instructor since 2007. She also organizes and directs a string ensemble in the summer at the ARCC for advanced students and adults. She enjoys working with all ages and levels of students. Anthony Morrissey Anthony Morrissey is the ARCC Music Program Coordinator. He graduated from NSU in 1992 with a Bachelor of Music Education in both instrumental and vocal music. Anthony taught vocal and instrumental music in grades K-12 in Menomonie, WI, for 11 years as well as teaching music privately from his home. He has been teaching and playing music in the community since moving back to Aberdeen in 2003. We are looking forward to adding new instructors to our program as needed. 14 15
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