YEAR-ROUND CURRICULUM & AFA IN SCHOOLS

YEAR-ROUND CURRICULUM & AFA IN SCHOOLS 2016 2017 SEASON 1718A Lubbock Street Houston, Texas 77007 PHONE 713.522.9699 F A X 713.522.9631 AFATEXAS.ORG AFA PROGRAMS ARE PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH AFA IS PROUD TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM AND WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS AFA is funded in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. AFA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The official healthcare provider of AFA is Houston Methodist Hospital s Center for Performing Arts Medicine. AFATEXAS.ORG

TABLE OF CONTENTS About AFA...2 Financial Aid & Scholarships...2 About AFA s Year-Round Curriculum...3 How to Apply & Auditions...4 AFA In Schools...5 Houston Girls Chorus...7 Composer Institute...9 Chamber Music Academy...11 2017 Summer Music Conservatory Preview...13 ABOUT AFA AFA enriches the lives of young people through music. We accomplish this mission by: Creating educational programs for young people in safe and respectful environments Encouraging talent and creativity in programs that empower life skills through musical achievement Committing to excellence in teaching, faculty and state-of-the-art collaborations Leading collaborations that meet the needs of the arts education community AFA s work in our community is divided into three main program areas: 1) AFA In Schools, presenting a broad range of school-based residencies, clinics and master classes 2) AFA s Year-Round Curriculum (Chamber Music Academy, Composer Institute, and Houston Girls Chorus), offering focused, weekend-based learning opportunities that emphasize the next level of musical achievement 3) AFA s flagship program, the Summer Music Conservatory, serving 450+ young musicians. In 2015-16, AFA impacted more than 2,000 young people and presented nearly 50 free concerts throughout greater Houston. FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS 1 I like the way that I can play with other people, I really like playing in a chamber group. The entire experience brings people my age together to create music, and it s pretty cool how we work together. AFA subsidizes over 60% of the costs of its programs through its fundraising efforts. To meet the needs of families who require financial aid, AFA s Scholarship Enrichment Fund ensures that financial hardship will never be a barrier between a young musician and the experiences that shape their future. In 2016, nearly three in five AFA students applied for and received financial aid. AFA Stands For OPPORTUNITY 2

ABOUT AFA S YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS Since 2010, AFA has offered Houston-area students in-depth, high-quality music education experiences during the school year, providing opportunities for students to enrich their musical growth and learning. Instruction from AFA s outstanding faculty artists provide a unique, supportive environment for students while collaborations with many of Houston s finest arts organizations further enhance AFA s curriculum and enrich the student experience. AFA Stands For ACHIEVEMENT AUDITIONS All auditions take place at AFA offices near downtown FALL SESSIONS August 6.... Houston Girls Chorus only August 13 and 27.... All programs SPRING SESSIONS December 3 and 10.... All programs Learn more at AFATEXAS.ORG January 7... Chamber Music Academy only 3 4 1 2 HOW TO APPLY Apply at AFATEXAS.ORG There is no fee to apply or to audition. Contact AFA at 713-522-9699 or music@afatexas.org with questions about applications or auditions. APPLY Go to AFATEXAS.ORG, click on Apply and follow the prompts. You will be asked to fill out general information and your preferred audition dates/locations. You will also be given the opportunity to apply for financial aid. Parents/ guardians are encouraged to supervise this process or to fill out the information themselves. AUDITION Your assigned audition date, time, and location will be emailed to you within one week of applying. Audition requirements for each program can be found on that program s page. 3 4 ADMISSION In most cases, your admission status will be emailed within two weeks of completing your audition. ENROLL Enrollment instructions and materials (including financial aid decisions, if applicable) will be sent with your admission status. Completed enrollment forms and tuition payments are due two weeks before your first day.

5 AFA IN SCHOOLS AFA In Schools brings the best of AFA s curriculum to area classrooms through clinics, master classes and customized in-school and after-school programs and residencies. Students work with professional musicians in experiences customized to meet the educational objectives of area teachers. Ranging in length from one day to an entire school year, AFA In Schools residencies enhance school curricula through expertise in the arts, integration with other academic subjects, and innovative practices that give young people the opportunity to use music as a vehicle for self-expression and self-actualization. Clinics and Master Classes (Grades 6-12) AFA faculty artists visit area classrooms for instrumental clinics, workshops and contest preparation. Contact us for clinicians, guest artists information and scheduling. Choral and Vocal Coaching (Grades K-8) AFA can provide experienced clinicians to work with your choirs or create a choral program in your school. Clinicians can work with students at all experience levels and in all styles of music to meet the needs of your curriculum. Songwriting Workshops (Grades 4-12) In a group setting, students write and set their own lyrics to music. Perfect for choirs or choral groups, students often perform their new work as part of their school concerts. Film Making/Film Scoring (Grades 4-12) Working with the Southwest Alternative Media Project (SWAMP), students write, film and edit original movies and then create the music that will enhance their stories. Workshops can last a few weeks to one semester and can involve several group or individual projects. Group Piano Workshops (Grades 2-8) Young students are introduced to the keyboard in a group setting that emphasizes fun, creativity and performing in a low stress, supportive environment. Introduction to Composing (Grades 3-12) Students learn the building blocks of composition for instrumental groups and work with software to develop ideas and create a fully realized work. Students often perform completed works as part of school concerts. Instrument Making & Improvisation (Grades 3-8) Students decide the type of instruments they would like to make and then build them in a series of workshops. Once built, students learn the basics of improvisation and composing for groups and develop original pieces for group performance. Chamber Music Residencies (Grades 4-12) Used to help groups prepare for Solo and Ensemble or simply to experience the benefits of small ensemble performance, AFA faculty artists serve as clinicians and coaches for chamber groups for one week to one year. Students may also perform as part of AFA s concert series. Programs for Children with Special Needs (Grades K-12) AFA has created programs for a variety of students with special needs at every age group that are designed to dovetail with the specific educational needs of their programs. Contact us to learn more about our work with The Center for Hearing and Speech, The Lighthouse of Houston, and The Monarch School. 6 AFA IN SCHOOLS

HOUSTON GIRLS CHORUS Activities High-quality vocal instruction in a variety of musical styles, training in vocal technique, instruction in music theory and performance practice, and diverse performance opportunities. Eligibility Girls in grades 4 12. An audition will determine placement into either Houston Girls Chorus (generally grades 7 12) or the Preparatory Choir (generally grades 4 9). 7 Tuition $775 Weekly Rehearsals Sundays, 2:00 5:00pm Location St. Paul s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street in Houston s Museum District Dates August 21: Fall rehearsals begin Late October: Fall Collaboration Performance November and December: Rehearsals and performances with Houston Ballet s The Nutcracker May 6 and 7: Spring Opera Performance May 12: Houston Girls Chorus Spring Invitational My favorite part is performing in the The Nutcracker! I love being treated like a professional and being taught to be a professional. 8 HOUSTON GIRLS CHORUS

COMPOSER INSTITUTE FALL COMPOSER INSTITUTE: FILM SCORING Activities Students will be introduced to the art of film scoring, including software programs, digital instrumentation and an introduction to the history of the art form. Eligibility Open to composers in grades 8 12; the ability to notate music is strongly recommended; access to a laptop computer is strongly recommended. Presenting Partner Southwest Alternative Media Project (SWAMP) Weekly Meetings Saturdays, 8:30 11:00am Location AFA Offices, 1718A Lubbock Street in Old Sixth Ward, just outside of downtown Houston Tuition $375 ($700 if enrolling in both Film Scoring and Collaborations) Dates October 1: Classes begin December 10: Performance Activities Students will focus on writing an original work while also honing music theory and piano-writing skills. Eligibility Open to composers in grades 8 12; the ability to notate music is necessary. Weekly Meetings Saturdays, 9:00 11:00am Location AFA Offices, 1718A Lubbock Street in Old Sixth Ward, just outside of downtown Houston COMPOSER INSTITUTE: COLLABORATIONS Tuition $475 ($700 if enrolling in both Film Scoring and Collaborations) Dates February 11: Classes begin April 29: Performance SPRING 9 10

CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY CHAMBER MUSIC ACADEMY Activities Students learn and perform in small groups coached by faculty artists; includes music theory and performance practice. Eligibility Open to instrumentalists and pianists with at least 1 2 years of performance experience. All applicants are considered for inclusion in a group; enrollment is dependent on availability of appropriate instrumentation and peers of similar ability. Presenting Partner AFA s partnership with Da Camera of Houston Young Artist Program gives students access to Da Camera performances and coaching by Houston s most promising emerging young professional musicians. Weekly Rehearsals Saturdays 9:00 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm or 1:00 3:00pm Location AFA Offices, 1718A Lubbock Street in Old Sixth Ward, just outside of downtown Houston Tuition $475 per session Fall Session September 10: Rehearsals begin December 10: Recital Spring Session January 28: Rehearsals begin April 29: Recital I like that everyone here is my friend and even though we are all working we also have fun together. My favorite thing is the bonding through music, and it s okay to be out of tune sometimes. 11 12

2017 SUMMER MUSIC CONSERVATORY PREVIEW Apply online starting January 2017 PIANISTS VOCALISTS Elementary School Choir June 14 24 COMPOSERS SUMMER MUSIC CONSERVATORY Piano: Jr. Division July 5 July 15 (AFA North) Piano: Sr. Division June 26 July 14 Middle School Choir July 5 July 15 (AFA North) High School Choir Composition June 12 July 14 Sing Out! Cabaret Workshop June 26 30 INSTRUMENTALISTS String Orchestras July 5 July 15 (AFA North) Wind & Brass Chamber Music July 5 July 15 (AFA North) Symphony Orchestra June 26 July 15 13 14