Monday, May 31, 2010

Summer 2010 Camps

Wow! There are so many fun songs and terms to cover that they just won't all fit into the Introduction to Music classes. Soooooo. . . .drum roll please. . . .DUM DUM DA DUM. . . .

I am adding a Pretty Princess Music Camp, a Mother Goose Music Camp, and a Classical Chaos Music Camp to the curriculum. Each of these camps is 3 hours long. The Mother Goose Music Camp is for kids ages 3 to 6, the Classical Chaos Camp is for kids ages 5 to 10, and the Pretty Princess Music Camp will be in 2 sessions---For girls ages 3 to 6, and for girls ages 7 to 10. Cost for each camp is $35 per child.

Each camp will use famous songs (nursery rhymes, Disney Princess music, or classical themes) to re-enforce the national music education standards and explore musical terms. The Classical Chaos Camp will emphasize the lives of 4 famous classical composers. Each camp will also include a small snack, and we will also take the time during the camps to complete a take-home craft.

Summer Camp Schedule is as follows:

Pretty Princess Music Camp

Session 1 (ages 3-6)-June 18th 9am to 12pm
Session 2 (ages 7-10)-June 18th 3pm to 6pm
Session 3 (ages 3-6)-August 6th 9am to 12pm
Session 4 (ages 7-10)-August 6th 3pm to 6pm


Mother Goose Music Camp

Session 1 (ages 3-6)-July 16th 9am to 12pm


Classical Chaos Music Camp

Session 1 (ages 5-10)-July 16th 3pm to 6pm

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Summer 2010 Intro To Music Class Details

I am so excited about this summer's class schedule! I've found myself laughing out loud as I've put together lesson plans and realized how much fun we're going to have. We'll use songs about trains and clocks to learn about rhythms and keeping a steady beat, we'll "explode" into action with drums and bells as we discuss dynamics, and we'll explore classical music with Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse.

In addition to a heavy emphasis on music (using the national music educational standards as a guide to exploring instruments, improvisation, composition, notation, and vocalization), this summer's curriculum will also cover the relationship between music and American folk history, classical composers, art, literature, and culture.

Every class will introduce 2 new songs, include a small snack related to the day's theme, and will include a take-home prop or handout (prepared by me in advance---no class time will be spent on crafts or props). Every student will be given a CD (home-made by me and computer-burned) at the beginning of the session that has recordings of all of that session's songs on it. (Please don't expect a professional recording job. This is for the fun of the kids and probably will never be a parent's most favorite thing to listen to.) :)

Every class will be held in my humble (and cluttered) home right here in Pleasant Valley. We'll use the "music" room heavily, where I have rhythm sticks, bells, drums, piano, 2 keyboards, 3 kids' guitars, flutes and recorders of all kinds, colored hand bells, drums, and a computer with speakers for all kinds of musical fun. Our class curriculum will take us on marching band parades through the front and back yards, and to quick snack breaks at the kitchen table.

Parents are welcome to attend class sessions with their children until they feel comfortable leaving them on their own. (If that means coming every week until the end of the session, I'm willing to be flexible. I will never fault anyone for being protective of their precious kiddos.)

This summer's class is open to children ages 3 to 8 and will be held on Wednesday mornings from 10am to 11am in two sessions. You may choose to enroll in one or both sessions. The first will run from June 2nd through June 23rd (4 weeks), and the second will run July 14th through August 11th (5 weeks). Tuition is $60 for Session 1 and $75 for Session 2. Or, if you choose to pay both sessions up front, the cost will be $120 ($15 off the combined tuition price). I will limit the class size to 12, expect payment for each session on the first day of the session, and I do not accept credit cards.

I am entertaining the idea of adding additional sessions either later in the day on Wednesdays or on another day of the week, depending on the demand.

Feel free to contact me at 307-214-5453 or stephanie.erickson@gmail.com with questions or to register.

Summer 2010 Piano Lessons

It looks like I may have 1 to 2 openings this summer for new Piano students. I won't know for sure until the beginning of next week how the summer is going to shake out, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to contact me now if you're interested. Cost is $15/half hour lesson, with a one-time $10 Registration Fee.

All summer piano students are guaranteed a spot in the fall piano lesson schedule.

Parents/students are responsible for books and materials. You can either purchase them on your own, or I can purchase them online at a discount, split the shipping cost among all students participating in the order, and add the cost to the month's bill.