|
School of Music offers non-credit instruction to the Boone community |
|
|
|
Wednesday, 23 August 2006 |
by ABBY SPEAR
Intern Lifestyles Writer
This academic year, children and adults in the Boone area will have the opportunity to receive music instruction at the Appalachian State University Community Music Center.
“The program was established in response to many inquiries from the community over a period of years,” Hayes School of Music Dean, William G. Harbinson said.
“Most of them were searching for persons to teach private music lessons to pre-college children.”
This program was established to provide noncredit music instruction to
anyone with an interest in music and to develop partnerships with local
schools and social service agencies, Dr. Elizabeth S. Rose, Director of
the Community Music School said.
“Response has been good. We are full in three areas... The most popular
have been guitar and Suzuki violin instruction,” Rose said.
Students as well as adult instructors are teachers in the program.
Junior Mary E. Hirsh, a music therapy major, said she thought the
program was a great idea and would certainly have taken advantage of it
had she gone to high school in this area.
“If they wanted music therapy people to teach [in the community music school] I definitely would if I had the time,” Hirsh said.
If the program is a success, more diverse courses could be added to it.
“We are beginning modestly this year and have plans to expand the
enrollment and diversity of offerings in the future,” Harbinson said.
Current instructional programs include guitar, violin, drumming and
choir, though future programs may include classes in woodwind and brass
instruments and band or chorus ensembles for senior citizens.
“I would suggest music theory and composition as other classes to be
offered... they can even be used by people who aren’t in music
professions,” Hirsh said.
It is unknown whether other disciplines on campus could offer such a
program for the community, but Hirsh believes the possibility exists.
“I think some other community schools that could be offered would be
theatre, drama, psychology, such as human growth and development for
new parents, or even business courses,” Hirsh said.
The cost of the courses ranges from $5 to $40, depending on the type of
program and how large the classes are. Financial aid is available.
Though registration is closed for now, in December it will open again for the spring semester.
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Show/Hide comments