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Contents of this page:

| Kindermusik® 2009-2010 |
| Pre-Piano | Piano | Strings | Voice |


Kindermusik® (2009-2010)


Many children are first introduced to music at Northwestern in lively Kindermusik classes, where they explore music through moving, singing, and playing instruments. A rich variety of activities promotes music and language development, symbolic thinking, coordination, and social interaction. Age-appropriate sequential classes are offered for children from birth through age seven.

Kindermusik Village (newborn to 18 months)

Kindermusik VillageThis 45-minute class is a lovely way for babies and parents to interact. Multi-level activities that are appropriate for each stage of a baby's development give lap babies, crawlers and walkers a chance to explore music, touch, sound, and movement. Home materials, which include a board book, mural, home CD of the songs heard in class and a specially designed baby instrument help the parent to share activities with their baby throughout the week.

 

Kindermusik Our Time (18 months – 3-1/2 years)

Kindermusik Our TimeA lively 45-minute class that invites parents/caregivers and children to sing, move, listen to and play instruments while enjoying literature. The home materials include two CDs, two literature books related to the theme of the unit, a related home instrument, and a parent activity book to provide additional ideas for sharing the class experience at home.

  • Tuition: $225/15 weeks (includes $48 for home materials)
  • Location: Music Administration Building, Room 42
  • Fall Unit theme: "Wiggles and Giggles"
  • Spring Unit theme: "Away We Go"
  • Course Times/Instructor
    (Students attend one Monday or Saturday schedule and one date sequence. Please give us a first and second choice for time on your application.)


    Mondays, 4:00-4:45 p.m. CLASS FULL
    Instructor: Julie Friend
    Fall Unit: September 21, 2009 - January 11, 2010
    Spring Unit: February 1, 2010 - May 17, 2010

    Saturdays, 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. CLASS FULL
    Instructor: Caroline Jefferies Nordlund
    Fall Unit: September 19, 2009 - January 16, 2010
    Spring Unit: January 30, 2010 - May 15, 2010

    Saturdays, 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. CLASS FULL
    Instructor: Julie Friend
    Fall Unit: September 19, 2009 - January 16, 2010
    Spring Unit: January 30, 2010 - May 15, 2010

    Saturdays, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. CLASS FULL
    Instructor: Caroline Jefferies Nordlund
    Fall Unit: September 19, 2009 - January 16, 2010
    Spring Unit: January 30, 2010 - May 15, 2010

  • Download Kindermusik application (PDF: you will need Adobe Acrobat)
  • Download Financial Aid form (PDF: you will need Adobe Acrobat)
  • Contact: kindermusik@northwestern.edu

Kindermusik Imagine That! (ages 3-1/2 - 5)

Kindermusik Imagine ThatChildren's imaginations are engaged during this 45-minute class with activities that capture their creativity. Music concepts are experienced through moving, singing, listening, creating and playing instruuments. Parents/siblings join in the last 15 minutes of class. Home materials include two CDs, two literature books related to the theme of the unit, instruments for use in home and in class, a backpack and a home activity book which describes an activity for each class session along with foundations of learning experienced in each class.


Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year One (ages 4-1/2 - 7)

Kindermusik for the Young ChildThis Year One class introduces the child to reading and writing music, which is reinforced by playing the glockenspiel. These activities are integrated with singing and moving games as well as creating and playing of additional percussion instruments. Home materials include a carry bag, glockenspiel, folder, worksheet, CD and games bag.

 

Kindermusik for the Young Child, Year Two (ages 5-1/2 - 7)

Kindermusik for the Young ChildYear Two for children 5-1/2 to 7 introduces the child to a three-stringed dulcimer in the fall and a soprano recorder in the spring term. Note reading is continued with the use of both of these instruments and also includes additional glockenspiel work. Ensemble activities are introduced related to the themes of the United States, Pacific Islands, Europe, Africa and Central America. In addition, the folk songs and dances of these different cultures are also introduced. The Year Two class builds a secure foundation and bridge to private instruction. Year Two is a continuation of the Year One class. Home materials for Year Two include a folder, games bag, CD, dulcimer (first semester) and recorder (second semester), along with a new folder, games bag and CD.

 

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Piano Division


| Pre-Piano | Beginner Group Lessons |

| Private Piano Lessons | Adult Piano |

The Music Academy Piano Division offers a pre-piano class, which serves as an introduction to more formal piano instruction; keyboard instruction in two tracks for students ages 6 to 18; and instruction for adults. Pre-Piano serves as an introduction to more formal piano instruction. Keyboard instruction for children begins with pre-staff music and expands to landmark-based intervallic reading. After the first year of study, students participate in the Illinois State Music Teacher's Association curriculum assessment, where they demonstrate skills and receive certificates and pins for participation.

Pre-Piano (ages 5 or 6; fall quarter only)

 

Instructors and Contacts:

Pre-piano is an excellent way to introduce children to the fun of music while learning about the unique qualities of the piano. Childrens’ natural curiosity about music is stimulated through various activities that include singing, moving, listening, and playing simple rhythm instruments. Alphabet skills and familiarity with numbers are strengthened through activities related to music reading and symbol recognition.

The piano is the center of many class activities, with an emphasis placed on developing basic awareness of keyboard topography. Students learn to play a number of simple folk tunes by rote, and will often be accompanied by teacher duets. After completing this course, students will be ready to progress to more formal instruction in the Academy's Piano Division. Research studies prove that parental involvement in a young child's musical development is important. A parent accompanies their child to pre-piano classes and assists with practice at home. Interested parents are invited to observe pre-piano classes during the academic year.

  • Classes meet once a week for 45 minutes during the entire academic year (3 quarters). Students must enroll for all three quarters.
  • Tuition: $240/11 week quarter (billed once/quarter)
  • Saturdays, time TBA
  • Students who apply are contacted to schedule a readiness-placement interview during the summer.
  • Download application form (PDF)

 

Beginner Group Lessons (Track 1)

New beginners ages 6-1/2 to 8 or graduates of PrePiano or Kindermusik
Instructors: Various
Contact: musicacademy@northwestern.edu

These lively 50-minute classes include rhythm games, listening and creative activities, and learning to play pieces. Students should have a piano or full size keyboard for home practice.

 

 

Private Piano Lessons (Track 2)

Instructors: Various
Contact: musicacademy@northwestern.edu

Second year students and transfer students enroll in weekly private lessons with monthly group instruction. First year beginning students will be accepted in this track if space is available in the fall. Private lessons emphasize repertoire, technique, and musicianship skills. Creative and critical thinking skills are nurtured in lessons designed to encourage independence. Small group lessons provide further instruction in music theory, history, sight-playing and performance skills. Students should have an acoustic piano or a full-size touch-sensitive keyboard for practice. There are no private lessons during group lesson weeks.

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Adult Piano

Classes are offered for adults at the beginning and early-intermediate levels. Students learn to read music and play basic chords from methods designed especially for mature learners. Advanced students may take private lessons when openings are available.

Contact: musicacademy@northwestern.edu

Beginning Classes
Learn to play piano in inexpensive small-group lessons with methods designed for mature learners. Students need a piano or keyboard at home for practice.


Intermediate Classes
Brush up on your skills and get together with other adults interested in music. Great class for empty-nesters playing at an intermediate level.

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String Division (ages 4-18)

Contacts:
Stacia Spencer, violin and viola stacia-s@northwestern.edu
Paula Kosower, cello p-kosower@northwestern.edu

The String Division offers private lessons in violin, viola, and cello, with goals of both providing musical instruction and instilling a love of music and of learning music. The division believes that all children can learn to their potential when placed in an environment that includes clear instruction, an involved parent, and regular opportunities to listen to and perform.

Private instruction serves as the foundation of study. Weekly lessons are offered and are supported by group classes. Group sessions provide an interactive opportunity for students to play with other children and further refine skills. Enrollees also have study opportunities (in addition to regular lessons) with university students who are in pedagogy classes taught by university students. Parents are required to attend all lessons and supervise daily home practice sessions. Group and solo performance opportunities are offered each semester and chamber music is available for advanced students.

Instruction is based on a combination of the methods of Shinichi Suzuki, Paul Rolland, and the experiences of the professional teachers. It emphasizes an easy and balanced approach to playing the instrument, parental involvement, a wide range of repertoire, and the musical growth of the child. This instills a sense of discipline and high self-esteem in addition to musical growth.

String Private Lessons

Instructors: Various


String Combination Lessons (private plus a weekly group lesson)

Instructors: Various
Contact: Stacia Spencer stacia-s@northwestern.edu

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Voice Division (adults)


Voice Class

Instructor: Natasha Lyashenko
Contact: musicacademy@northwestern.edu
Adult voice classes concentrate on basic vocal technique including registers, breathing, range, and diction. Unique teaching methods and small class size (4 to 5 students) produce good results after a short period of time. The class is recommended not only for people interested in singing, but also for adults who would like to improve their speaking voice.


Private Voice

Instructors: Anne Ouverson
Contact: musicacademy@northwestern.edu
Private vocal study is tailored to individual needs and goals. Lessons cover traditional vocal technique, song interpretation, stage presence, and musicality. Students often study a wide range of repertoire, from classical music to pop.


Music Academy Chorus


Instructor: Natasha Lyashenko
Contact: musicacademy@northwestern.edu
Sing a variety of classical and ethnic music from America and around the world while improving your singing voice. Performance of Vivaldi's Gloria in winter. All singers are welcome.

  • Tuition: $85.00 or $225.00 in one payment
  • Location: Music Administration Building, 711 Elgin Road, Room 109
  • Time: Tuesdays from 7:00-19:00 pm (Starting Sept. 22)
  • Download Adult Application (PDF)

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