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Music School Course Offerings

Comprehensive Music Program for Young People (CMPYP)

We offer several classes as part of this innovative program: solfège/theory/braille music, computer sequencing, percussion, music appreciation and youth chorus. Classes are 45 minutes in length, held in rotation and may not be taken separately; students must be enrolled in the complete program.

We strive to customize the experience for each student based on interests, needs and abilities. Every student will receive a minimum of three classes as part of the CMPYP curriculum.

Prerequisite: ages 7 -- 18

What you will learn:

General Music
Basic musical skills that help establish a strong foundation for advanced musicianship
To practice basic musical skills, such as how to sing in tune and how to develop a sense of rhythm and meter using various creative activities

Solfége/Theory/Braille Music Class
To sightsing using solfège syllables
To notate music in staff or braille format
To understand basic theory concepts, including intervals, scales and chords

Percussion Class
Basic rhythmic development using call and response technique
Exposure to African, Latin and Caribbean percussion instruments, styles and rhythm
To gain valuable ensemble experience and social integration skills

Computer Sequencing
Introduction to computer music software using assistive speech or print technology
To record on multiple tracks, edit and arrange music using the latest music technology

Youth Chorus
To sing and blend in unison
To explore two-part singing
To discover music of other cultures

Teen Instrumental Ensemble
The fundamentals of wind, percussion or keyboard playing
To play together in an ensemble setting
To experience music from diverse cultures and styles

Please note: there will be regularly scheduled performances; and field trips to concerts, museums and musical events in the city

Faculty: Dalia Sakas, Program Coordinator; Svetlana Avezbakiyeva; Katharine Flanders; Yo Kano; Alejandra Lagos; Chris Petz; Marc Wagnon

Program day: Saturday, 9:30 am -- 3 pm (varies per individual)

Your cost: see Policies and Procedures

Master classes, workshops and special seminars are held regularly throughout the academic year and summer. Guest artists and teachers are invited to share their expertise and talent with our students.

Individual Instrumental and Voice Lessons

Instruction is available in piano, voice, guitar, recorder, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, drums, vibraphone and percussion. Registration is contingent upon lesson and instructor availability. You will be notified if we cannot meet your lesson requests.

Approval of multiple individual lessons will be based on instructor availability and determined by our Executive Director.

What you will learn:

Beginning to advanced levels of skill on the various instruments or voice
To present oneself in public performances

Please note: performance opportunities are available through public events and student recitals

Your cost: $304/16 weeks/45 minutes

The Healthy Use of Your Voice

Designed to promote excellent vocal health for those who wish to improve their speaking voice and/or avoid vocal disorders, such as hoarseness and fatigue. This class is also helpful for actors, school teachers and anyone whose career encompasses public speaking, customer service and voice projection.

What you will learn:

How to maintain a healthy voice
How to sustain a clear and commanding voice
How to develop resonance and quality in your voice

Faculty: Charlotte Surkin

Course day: available on a full or partial semester basis (16, 8 or 6 weeks); individual sessions -- time and day to be arranged

Your cost: $304 for full semester; $175 for 8 weeks; $150 for 6 weeks

Please note: scholarships apply only to the full semester course

Basic Musicianship

Prerequisite: none

What you will learn:

To develop an understanding of the basic fundamentals of music: pitch and the organization of pitch (intervals, keys, scales and triads); rhythm and meter (note values); and other variables such as dynamics, tempo and phrasing

To develop aural recognition and the ability to sing intervals, major/minor scales, triads and simple harmonic progressions, as well as various rhythms within different meters and tempi

Faculty: Svetlana Avezbakiyeva; Chris Petz

Course day: to be arranged

Your cost: $208/16 weeks/45 minutes

Piano Classes: Introductory, Beginner and Intermediate Levels

Prerequisite: admission by placement audition, which must be arranged prior to registration

What you will learn:

Keyboard layout
Basic skills of keyboard playing
Music reading
Theory

Faculty: Dalia Sakas; Svetlana Avezbakiyeva; Yo Kano

Course day: Wednesday or Friday, class time arranged by placement level

Your cost: $208/16 weeks/45 minutes

Braille Music

Prerequisite: knowledge of grade 1 braille

What you will learn:

Braille symbols and the system for musical notation

Faculty: Svetlana Avezbakiyeva

Course day: Friday, 10:45 -- 11:30 am or 11:30 am -- 12:15 pm

Your cost: $208/16 weeks/45 minutes

Assistive Music Technology

Prerequisites: computer keyboard skills and Basic Musicianship

What you will learn:

To become familiar with the speech program, and production of large-print and braille music scores
Concurrent review of theory skills

Faculty: Svetlana Avezbakiyeva; Anthony Falaro; Yo Kano; John Sanfilippo; Marc Wagnon

Course day: Wednesday -- Friday, individual lesson to be arranged

Your cost: $330/16 weeks/60 minutes

MIDI Sequencing and Basic Audio Editing

Prerequisites: Assistive Music Technology and/or permission of the instructor

What you will learn:

Understanding of MIDI sequencing for composing and arranging
Preparation of musical scores for print notation
Introduction to digital audio editing

Please note: because of the intensive technical requirements of this course, it is offered as a private lesson

Faculty: Marc Wagnon; John Sanfilippo; Yo Kano

Course day: private lesson to be arranged

Your cost: $330/16 weeks/60 minutes

Jazz Theory/Improvisation

Prerequisites: basic theory and/or equivalent experience

What you will learn:

How to improvise over chord changes
Modes, diatonic harmony and poly-modal harmony
Chord construction and scale-chord relationships
Form analysis of jazz tunes, including the blues, standards and modal pieces

Faculty: Marc Wagnon; Yo Kano

Course day: to be arranged

Your cost: $208/16 weeks/45 minutes

Drum Circle

Prerequisite: no previous experience is required -- open to all levels

What you will learn:

To develop a sense of rhythm through a creative approach
Basic techniques to enable you to play individual parts in an ensemble setting
To experience rhythmic groove through group dynamics

Faculty: Marc Wagnon

Course day: Thursday, 2:45 -- 3:30 pm

Your cost: $208/16 weeks/45 minutes

Music Around New York: From Carnegie Hall to the Blue Note

These six-week seminars focus on selected areas of study, and include attending a concert at one of New York City's performance venues.

Prerequisite: none

What you will learn:

Diverse musical styles from a variety of composers and performers

Faculty: select faculty and guests

Course day: to be arranged

Your cost: $110/6 weeks/60 minutes (scholarships are not available for this seminar)

Watch for announcement fliers with seminar topics!

Performance Ensembles

Please note: If you are enrolled in private lessons, one performance ensemble fee will be waived.

Jazz Ensemble

Prerequisites: admission by audition and good technical control of your instrument

What you will learn:

Standards from the swing era to contemporary jazz
How to jam with other musicians in a non-competitive atmosphere
To perform in public venues

Faculty: Marc Wagnon; Gerald Gewiss

Course day: Thursday, 5 -- 7 pm

Your cost: $75/16 weeks/2 hours

Percussion Ensemble

Prerequisites: admission by audition and advanced level proficiency

What you will learn:

A variety of styles, including African, Brazilian and Caribbean
Collaboration with the Jazz Ensemble, among others

Faculty: Marc Wagnon

Course day: Friday, 2:45 -- 3:45 pm

Your cost: $50/16 weeks/60 minutes

Contemporary Pop/Rock Ensemble -- Jam 59

Prerequisites: admission by audition and good technical control of your instrument

What you will learn:

Diverse styles of American music, including popular, rock and R&B
To participate in an eclectic ensemble
To develop arrangements based on instrumentation and style

Faculty: Chris Petz

Course day: Tuesday, 5:30 -- 7:30 pm

Your cost: $75/16 weeks/2 hours

The Lighthouse Vocal Ensemble

Prerequisites: admission by audition only and the ability to learn music quickly and independently

What you will learn:

A more difficult and wide-ranging repertoire, including a capella works
A minimum of three performances annually

Faculty: Dalia Sakas; Leslie Jones

Course day: Wednesday, 5:30 -- 7:30 pm

Your cost: $75/16 weeks/2 hours

Note: Any new courses or seminars added during the academic year will be announced through fliers.

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