Lessons for Children, Teens, and Adults:

Music lessons help children build confidence and communication skills, develop focused listening skills and foster creativity.  Adults can improve or learn new skills and keep their brains active in a new way.  Research also seems to indicate that when the elderly take music lessons, anxiety and depression are reduced.  Music is good for every age!

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION is available for students of all ages and ability levels.  Lessons are generally taught on a semester basis, 13 weeks for fall and spring, 4-10 weeks in the summer.  New students are encouraged to start at the beginning of the semester, but may start at the 10- or 6-week point during the fall and spring. This summer, some teachers have already begun but most are starting the week of June 4.  We have flexible scheduling in the summer, based upon our teachers' and the students' schedules.

Private Lessons are offered in piano, voice, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, harp, and most band and orchestral instruments.  You may choose an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty-level instructor, depending upon the level or type of instruction you or your family member requires.  Students may study one-on-one with an instructor for a weekly 30-, 45-, or 1-hr. lesson.  Our instructors are professionally trained in the technique and repertoire of their instrument.  Recital performance is available during the school year, with the approval of the instructor.  Tuition costs are listed below by level of instructor.

Suzuki violin for the young beginner:   In the Suzuki, or “Mother Tongue” Method, children learn music just as they learn their own language, through listening (to recordings of the music), encouragement, and repetition in practice.  An orientation class is usually required and a parent or caregiver attends each lesson and assists the child at home.  In addition to weekly private lessons, student will attend several group lessons throughout the semester.  For children, ages 4 and up.  Limited openings but new students are being accepted. Catherine Becker, SFAC 208, Mondays or Tuesdays only. Becca Mitchum, TBA

New Harp Program:  We have started a new harp program!  We are proud to announce that Alisa Coffey, principal harpist with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, is teaching for the CSM.  Most recently with the Settlement Music School and The LRYA Society in Philadelphia, she will be accepting beginner, intermediate and advanced students on Fridays.   

GROUP INSTRUCTION:

• Central Arkansas Children's Choir (for students going into grades 4-9):  If you love to sing and want to be part of a high quality vocal performance ensemble, contact us to arrange a 10 minute audition on August 25.  Performances this spring included  a concert with the U of A Children's Choir, Toad Suck Daze; UCA's Night of Distinction; and the CACC's Spring Concert in the Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall.  Click on the “Central Arkansas Children's Choir" link on our website for additional information.

• Little Mozart Pre-Piano Class:  This 5-week class is for children, approximately ages 5-7, and in K-2 this year.  A fun introduction to the keyboard and an excellent program to determine readiness for piano lessons.  30 min. class weekly: Tuesday, 4:30-5:00 pm.  Maximum enrollment: 6.  Minimum enrollment for class to make:  4.  Tuition:  $80.  Materials fee of $15 payable to teacher at first class, May 22-June 19.  T. Shires, SFA 134A   Early Bird Special:  was thru May 10. 

• Class Guitar for Beginners:  Join our fun and economical 10-week class, for students ages 16 and up; Tuesdays, 6-7pm.  Materials fee: $7, payable at first class, June 5th, to instructor (please do not add to tuition check.) Maximum enrollment: 10.  Tuition $130; location:  SFA 125.  Early Bird Special:  Register by May 23 and receive $10 off regular tuition.

• Class Piano II for Adults:  This is a  continuation of the Spring Piano Class I for adults, ages 16 - 55.  Maximum class size, 12; minimum six.  Tuition $120.  Only students who have taken the first semester of Piano Class should enroll. Mondays, beginning June 5,  location:  SFA 134A   Early Bird Special:  Register by May 23 and receive $10 off regular tuition.

• Piano Class for Late Bloomers: Piano lessons for adults, age 55 and older.  Did you ever want to learn to play the piano but thought it was too late to learn a new skill?  Join the class for the mature adult who wants to play piano for fun, plus exercise your brain.  This 8-week class will begin Monday, June 4, 3-3:45pm.  A material fee of $20 is payable to the instructor at the first class.  Maximum enrollment is 10, minimum is 5.  Tuition:  $100; location SFAC 134A (Piano Lab). Early bird rate: pay by May 30, $10 off.

• Group Cello class:  Join Dr. Stephen Feldman's class of beginner or first year orchestra students.  Students will improve their technique and expand their repertoire.  This five week class begins July 9.  Tuition -$100, with Early Bird rate of $90 if paid by July 1.  Day and time- TBA.  Maximum enrollment is 6 and minimum enrollment is 3.  Call us today to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

    We have not been able to insert our summer registration form and camp forms onto our website.  Please call 501-450-5755 or email jannb@uca.edu; or 501-450-3672 or email tbumgarn@uca.edu for a copy of our registration form(s). 

• SUMMER CAMPS – Options are available for different ages and interests.  Contact us for information and registration forms!  Click on the "Camps" link for further information also.

• Rock Camp:  June 25-29

• Summer Strings Camp:  July 22-28

• Faulkner Chamber Music Festival (co-hosted by UCA, July 30-August 5.)

Tuition costs for summer are listed below.  Private lesson costs are based on the education and experience level of the instructor.  The faculty of the UCA Community School of Music is made up of current members of the faculty of the UCA Department of Music, visiting instructors, and selected graduate and undergraduate music students recommended by our faculty members.  Most of our teachers have earned a Bachelor’s degree in music and many have an MM and/or DMA degree(s).  For our list of instructors, go to our Instructors link.

        WALK-IN REGISTRATION DATES !

Summer Walk-in Registration:  

   May 16-18 for Summer I and classes beginning the week of May 21.

Snow Fine Arts 203, 8:00-11:30am and 1-5:00pm

(Mail, phone or e-mail Summer registration going on currently.)

  Call 450-5755 or 450-3672 or email Jannb@uca.edu or Tbumgarn@uca.edu for assistance or additional information.  FAX # 501-450-5773

       
Click on the "Registration Information" link to learn more about registration and obtain a Registration form.  After the first week of lessons, we may still place students with teachers if openings are available.  Tuition will be pro-rated.

If the UCA Campus closes for inclement weather, the CSM office will be closed.  Lessons will be canceled out of concern for the safety of our students and teachers, due to potentially hazardous road conditions related to the winter weather expected.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.  If conditions improve and streets are clear after a closing has been announced, you may contact your teacher or your teacher may contact you about possibly having lessons.  Otherwise, enjoy the time off and be safe if you have to get out.

You can find closings listed on the state news channels and thecabin.net.