​Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy​​​

The Music Academies

Located at 115 N. Third St. in Niles, The Music Academies offers all levels of classes for the beginner up to the most advanced players.  Group classes are offered in keyboard, choral, Music theory/history, band and much more.    For more information,  http:/www.themusicacademies.com,  email us at info@themusicacademies.com  or call us at (269)-362-5780.  

                                                                                          Music Class Schedule    Fall 2018
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​Private lessons for the following instruments: piano, violin, viola, cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar,  harmonica,  voice, flute, recorder, snare drum, song writing and composition.  Please call to set up lesson day/times.

•  Days and times vary depending on each individual student.  Students will receive musical training for the instruments of their choice. Each student will be taught traditional note reading and chord progressions, musical symbols, correct rhythm identification and counting procedures. Music theory assignments are taught at each lesson and they will learn the history behind the pieces they are learning and will perform. Students will also learn how to compose short pieces to go with their assignments which will help with note recognition. Students will be introduced to a wide variety of musical styles, Classical, Blues, Ragtime, Sacred and modern. Instruction materials used consists of The Alfred series, Baistien, Suzuki and ABC's for strings, Hal Leonard and Mel Bay for guitars and Alfred Basic Percussion for snare drum. Each lesson is 30 minutes in length and will meet once a week for full semester. For times please contact Valerie Rumpf at The Music Academies.
• Course Outline: Days and times vary depending on each individual student. Each week students will be given assignments based on their individual level of performance. Each student will be given assignments to be practiced at home on at least 5 days of the week. On a weekly basis the instructor will have the student play his or her pieces and correct any errors, give examples of how to play their pieces correctly to encourage progress and learning in both physical skills and musical concepts. Students will review with the instructor on a weekly basis musical notation, rhythm patterns and theory assignments to ensure they are making progress. Students will perform in a fall or spring recital, dates to be determined. 

​Group Classes

​Additional registration at location is NOT required


Mondays begins September 10 - January 28    (no class on December 24, January 1)

String/ Symphonic Orchestra: Monday 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. Ages 7 and up
This course is designed to offer a study into both classical, patriot and popular music, bringing together all the different parts of an orchestra to perform various styles of music. We will learn about the composers who wrote our performance pieces. There will be two concerts for the semester, the first concert will consist of classical music and the second will be a holiday performance. Students will learn proper performance technique, increase their sight reading skills, how and what to listen for when playing with a group and perfecting rhythm skills. Students must have at least one year experience playing their instrument and will have to perform an audition to determine level of proficiency. All students will have the opportunity to perform with the group.

Theory Club: Monday 12:30 - 1:15pm.  Ages 8 and older
Does your child love to: Play music or sing? Compose their own songs? Sight read popular music? Play familiar tunes by ear? Perform in recitals or concerts? Then your child needs Ultimate Music Theory Club classes! Theory club classes teach your child music theory by learning the fundamental building blocks of music for sight reading and ear training, how to speak, write and read the universal language of music. They will receive the knowledge to improvise and compose. To be creative and learn a new way to communicate through music and develop the skill to play by memory and technique to study the elements of music. 

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Tuesdays begins September 4 - January 29     (no class on December 25, January 1)

KiddyKeys: Beginning Level A: Tuesday 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. ages 5 -7 year old 
KiddyKeys is a multifaceted approach to learning music at a young age. This course emphasizes creativity and self-worth to introduce music appreciation and
understanding to young children. Students will learn basic note reading, rthymn notation, musical symbols. This class teaches the young child hand-eye coordination through use of rhythm instruments and piano technique, with a dedicated music time focusing on composers and listening skills.

Theory Club: Tuesday 7:00 - 7:45pm.  Ages 10 and older
Does your child love to: Play music or sing? Compose their own songs? Sight read popular music? Play familiar tunes by ear? Perform in recitals or concerts? Then your child needs Ultimate Music Theory Club classes! Theory club classes teach your child music theory by learning the fundamental building blocks of music for sight reading and ear training, how to speak, write and read the universal language of music. They will receive the knowledge to improvise and compose. To be creative and learn a new way to communicate through music and develop the skill to play by memory and technique to study the elements of music.


Saturdays  begin September 8 - June 10   (no classes on December 22 and January 5)

Keyboard Class:  Saturday 9:00 - 10:00 am      grades 4th-7th
This course is aimed for students with no previous experience in piano tuition. The focus primarily is to teach the piano as the practical instrument, whilst simultaneously developing strong aural and theoretical skills. Teaching in a group environment for this age is particularly beneficial from the learning perspective, as the students enjoy learning together and aspire to reach standards set by one another. With regular home practice, the students fly through this curriculum and can feel progress from the early stages, which in turn encourages them to continue through to more advanced levels.
The course includes:
•Aural – to develop a musical ear both melodically and rhythmically.
•Finger Gym – to develop technically.
•Repertoire – graded pieces covering all musical styles.
•Harmony – practical understanding of harmonic processes.
•Ensembles – to enjoy playing different parts as a group.
•Theory – consolidation theoretically of music and rhythmic notation and additional music elements.
•Music Appreciation – to analyse popular musical classics.
•Musical Games – to enjoy testing learnt skills through fun activities.

​A comprehensive musical education developing not just the technician but also the musician!


Sundays  begin August 12 - January 27   (see syllabus below for actual dates)

Niles Orchestra:  2:00 - 3:30 p.m.   ages 12 and up
This course is designed to offer a study into both classical, patriot and popular music, bringing together all the different parts of an orchestra to perform various styles of music. We will learn about the composers who wrote our performance pieces. There will be three concerts for the year, the concerts will consist of musical selections from Musicals, classical music and holiday performances. Students will learn proper performance technique, increase their sight reading skills, how and what to listen for when playing with a group and perfecting rhythm skills. Students must have at least three years experience playing their instrument and will have to perform an audition to determine level of proficiency. All students will have the opportunity to perform with the group. The Niles Area Community Orchestra will hold rehearsals on the following Sundays, from 2:00- 3:30 p.m. unless other wise stated. Rehearsals are held at the New Apostolic Church in Niles, 1451 East Broadway Niles, Michigan with the exception of the dress rehearsal which will be held at the concert location, Niles District Library. Players attend weekly rehearsals, and practice their parts individually. 


*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.

Syllabus
Teacher of Record: Mandy Jankoviak