Mrs. Korff and Mrs. Armstrong will offer, this fall, the opportunity for children to explore and develop their interest and skill in music. In a group class, children will learn the fundamentals of musicianship and the pleasure of gaining the ability to make music on the violin, viola, or cello. Families which wish to explore their child’s interest and aptitude for music will find these classes a good introduction to the world of music which may begin a life-long desire to praise our Maker with the talents He has given.
Classes Wednesdays, 3:35 to 4:25, from September 10 to November 19
Recital for Parents, Friday evening, November 21
FCA Main campus classrooms, to be announced at first meeting
Instructors: Shawnee Korff, Primary Music Instructor (korffs@fcaclassical.com)
Linda Armstrong, Orchestra and Chamber music coach (armstrongl@fcaclassical.com )
Fee: $100, for a 10-week session
K-2 Beginning Strings (violin only)
Mrs. Korff will teach beginning students in grades grades K through 2nd grade, using the Suzuki method of instruction. Dr. Suzuki developed an innovative approach to teaching music in the 1940’s based on two principles. Under the strong conviction that every child could learn music, Dr. Suzuki proposed that music should be learned the same way one learns to speak. He called this the “mother tongue method.” Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy of musical training stated that the parent is equally important with the teacher in the child’s learning. He saw music as an equilateral triangle with the child at the apex and the teacher and parents at each base corner. Mrs. Korff’s own children are proof that this method has sound principles; each child began training at a young age and now plays violin or cello proficiently as teens and young adults. The students will start with cardboard violin, homemade foot chart, a listening CD, and one parent with a strong commitment practice. As children advance they will switch to a traditional violin sized to each child (this can either be rented or purchased from local vendors), and the first volume of the Suzuki violin method book.
3+ Beginning Strings (violin, viola, or cello)
Mrs. Armstrong will teach students in grades 3 and above, using the Essential Elements music curriculum, commonly used in competitive school programs. Students will learn basic technique for their instrument as well as fundamentals of music literacy. Mrs. Armstrong has played violin and viola since childhood, and has played in a variety of orchestras and ensembles from early teen years through the present. The students will begin with a traditional instrument sized to fit each child, as well as the first volume of the Essential Elements method book.
Instrumental Ensemble
Mondays, 3:35 – 4:25 p.m.
Sanctuary at main building
Grades 2-12
FCA secondary students: Fine Arts academic credit given
Non-FCA students: $150 tuition fee per semester for grades 2 – 6
$200 tuition fee per semester for grades 7 – 12
Program will include music theory and technique as it introduces students to music from the standard repertoire from a variety of eras. Students are expected to have a grasp of the basics of their instrument (equivalent to completing a beginning class) and demonstrate competence in music theory appropriate to their grade level as taught in general music program. Open to FCA students and homeschoolers alike.
