Children's Program (ages 4 - 10)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Academy is pleased to announce an enhanced Children's Program, developed by faculty who bring over 30 years of experience in children's music education to the Academy. The classes will draw on the Dalcroze Method, which promotes the development of musicianship through active musical experiences of the mind, body, and spirit. The program seeks to encourage a lifelong appreciation of music in a friendly, supportive, and appropriately challenging environment. Students will have opportunities to develop their creative abilities, take part in class presentations, and listen to guest performances. Optional field trips to special musical events given by the Seattle Symphony and local music organizations can be arranged. Parent-teacher conferences will be available. Brianna Atwell will head the new Junior Division for ages 9-12
FACULTY BIOS are on the Faculty & Staff page.
CLASSES FOR NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS:
Music with Movement for ages 4-5, 45 minutes, includes rhythmic movement,
Solfege' (ear training), Singing, Musical Form, Improvisation, and Imaginative Play,
emphasizing the group experience.
Faculty is Carol Macaulay, who returns to us this year.
Musicianship Classes (Several levels for ages 6-8) have 2 sections, 50 minutes each; incremental studies of Eurhythmics (rhythmic movement), Solfege' (ear training through music fundamentals: melody, harmony and rhythm, and ear training, listening, singing, sight reading, analyzing musical form, simple theory, creative improvisation, simple composition. Lou Bush is our primary teacher, and she does a superb job; returning from last year and from our summer workshop last summer.
Performance Class is the second session of the Musicianship Class. Children learn about performance and audience protocol; and have the opportunity to perform weekly in a supportive environment. Lou Bush and Harumi Flesher (AMN accompanist )lead this class.
Academy Children's Choir is an optional session for ages 6 & up, 50 minutes. Experience the joy of singing in unison and harmony, singing beautiful songs from around the world.
Caro Maculay may lead this session..
Additional solo performance and chamber music ensemble participation are available to qualified children. Ensemble participation has to be approved by Ensemble Director, Nancie Linn Shaw by audition: only for students who have not been in one of our ensembles before.
Some private lessons on-site may be available to accommodate families with siblings enrolled, if rooms and faculty are available. Teacher referrals are available.
CLASSES MEET
Classes meet in our Bellevue location on Saturdays for 30 weeks, in two
semesters.
See the Class Schedule below.
When siblings are enrolled, we try to accommodate them in concurrent or adjoining classes, and/or by the option of on-site lessons. On-site lesson fees are determined by and paid directly to the private teacher.
REGISTRATION & PLACEMENT
You may register a child by selecting Application from the Home page.
After completing the application, hit the SEND button at the bottom of the page.
Or you may print and
mail the application to the Office.
You will be
contacted as soon as we receive your application.
Upon receipt, a placement
interview is scheduled for each NEW student.
Placement interviews normally
occur in early Sept. Early auditions occur Sept. 10th 2011.
Late enrollment can sometimes be accommodated with faculty interviews.
Returning students must register, but usually don't need an interview.
The faculty will assign the right placement level for returning
students.
If a student wants to participate in an ensemble, the student will be scheduled to play an audition with the Ensemble Director to see if placement is possible.
Participation in Choir can be arranged as an additional class when desired by letting the teacher know of his interest.
PLACEMENT
Children are evaluated and placed in standard classes appropriate for their age,
ability,
social readiness, and knowledge, by Children's Faculty.
New students have placement interviews with the teacher and parent.
Returning students are placed by faculty, usually in the next
level.
Children may be placed in levels other than those listed, based
on ability and
preparedness. Changes can take place in the first few weeks, when and if appropriate.
We want every child to have the best experience possible, and will do our best to see that happens. Talk to the teacher of to Jim Paul (president) or Dee Wells (VP) about any special request.
Private Lessons:
Students who already have private
instrumental teachers, continue with those teachers. The Academy makes no
attempt to change a student's teacher.
When requested by parents, will we are happy to make courtesy referrals to outstanding regional private studio teachers. Usually these requests are from families who are new to the area or who are interested in beginning lessons for their children.
To accommodate families with siblings enrolled, a few private lessons for children may be taken on Saturdays if space and faculty are available.
Instrument Rentals: We recommend initially renting instruments for beginners. Regional music stores have small instruments in many sizes for young children, including 'cello, viola, violin, recorder. A (weighted keys) electronic keyboard can initially substitute for piano for beginners if a piano is not available, but should not be used for long if piano lessons continue. Children do outgrow undersized instruments. Some companies offer substantial discount trade in/upgrade options to their customers.
Children's Saturday Class Schedule
| Time |
Ages |
Class |
|---|---|---|
11:00 |
4-5 |
Music with Movement - ages 4-5 |
12:00 |
6-8 |
Musicianship Classes - ages 6-8 |
1:00 |
6-10 |
Children's Performance Class - ages 6-8 |
2:00 |
6-10 |
Children's Choir - ages 6-10 |
3:00 |
8-10 |
Junior Division: Musicianship and Jr. Theory classes - ages 9-12 |
4:00 |
8-10 |
Chamber Music Ensembles- ages 8-12 by audition. |
5:00 |
Pre-College Performance Master Class at 5PM. All children, families, & their guests are welcome to attend this class. Children may also perform with prior approval. Students under age 13 and their families attend free of charge. |
See Calendar web page for all class, holiday, and concert dates.
FEES & TUITION (30 Saturdays - Sept-May)
Registration fee $25 / year.Textbooks: NONE.
Instruments: used in the classes will be supplied by the Academy
Tuition:
Music with Movement : $600 / year for ages 4-5.
Musicianship (ages 6-8
Class & Performance Class: $900 / year for instrumentalists and singers.
Musicianship Class &
Choir: $900 / year for singers.
Choir: $100 /
year only if this is a 3rd class. If this is the only the 2nd class, the fee is
$600/yr.
Jr. Theory - (Old Level 5) ages 9-12: $600/year 1 hour/week..
Most of these
students will also be enrolled in a Jr. Ensemble or Choir or another class such as Sight Reading Skills.
Jr. Ensemble: $300/semester for students qualified to perform
in a professionally coached chamber music ensemble using original
scores.
Ensembles will perform in our regular Pre-College Ensemble concerts,
and may also perform in Jr. Ensemble programs, and as monthly soloists with Academy approval.
Tuition Payment options - Check, cash, or (credit card option pending by
Sept).
Registration ($25) is added to the first tuition
payment.
No refunds after the 3rd week.
If paid in full by the 3rd week,
no extra fee is added.
If paid by semester, the $25 registration fee is added to the first semester payment.
If paid monthly, post dated pre-rated monthly checks are left with Dee in Sept. to be deposited monthly.
Scholarships and Financial Aid is only available to Pre-College
students, ages 13-18, if funds are available.
Sibling Discounts: There is a 10% discount for each sibling enrolled in the Academy.