​Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy​​​
​The Music Academies           Spring 2021
​Students and teachers must be able to readily switch to online lessons at any point in the semester in order to register for classes.

 
Teacher and Director: Valerie Rumpf, MM Teacher Phone Number: 269-362-5780 Email: valerie@themusicacademies.com  ​25 North 4th Street, Niles 49120

The Music Academies - Independent and Group Lessons

Teacher Bio: Valerie Rumpf, MM- (piano, violin, viola, cello, acoustic guitar, voice)- Valerie Rumpf earned her Bachelors (with high honors) and Masters degrees in Music and Composition from Indiana University (SB), having studied under the Toradze Studio instructors in piano, Eric Kus, David Machavariani, and Earle Perez on cello, and Delores Wilson on violin and viola. She is also an accomplished composer and member of ASCAP, ASTA, and MTNA, having had works performed in the US and in Europe. She was also recently awarded the Outstanding Music Teacher Award for 2017 by Steinway & Sons Piano. Valerie is also an enthusiastic orchestra conductor, having studied conducting under Dr. Michael Esselstrom and Dr. Robert Colt at Indiana University, and Bruce Uchimura at Western Michigan University. She currently conducts the New Apostolic Church Orchestra - South Bend District, and the Niles Area Community Orchestra in Niles, MI. Valerie also continues to compose and arrange music for the various groups she works with, is primary organist/pianist and choir leader at the New Apostolic Church in Niles, and plays cello in the Rumpf Village String Quartet. She also performs privately as pianist in Style, a local professional piano/violin duet.

​All students are required to do a project for this class. Speak with your mentor for instructions.

Independent Lessons

The Music Academies offers Independent lessons in the following instruments: piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, ukulele, acoustic guitar, chincello, voice,  and recorder.

Course Description: 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.

Final Project: Recital Virtual links: http://www.musicards.net/music_flash_cards/music_note_flashcards.html

Pre/Post Evaluation details: At the beginning of the semester each student will be given a short song to sight read with a grade between 1 and 10, with 1 the least proficient and 10 the highest score. At the end of the semester they will replay the same piece to show advancement in their abilities and playing skills. This will not be the final grade. Grading scale will consist of the following 1-4 scale.
4- above target/expectations
3- on target/expectations
2-below target/expectations
1-off target/expectations
Grades are determined in the following way.

Instructor Input: Teacher will assign a recommended grade based on the scale above. This accounts for 90% of the overall grade.

Attendance: Students are required to attend at least 80% of their scheduled times. This accounts for 10% of their overall grade



​
​Group Classes

​Additional registration at location is NOT required


​Saturday  begin January 9th    (see syllabus below for actual dates, no classes on April 3-10)

Youth String Orchestra :   Saturday 9:30 - 10:45 am      Ages 10+
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- 4:00 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.
Syllabus​

Youth Choir :   Saturday 11:00 - 12:15 pm      Ages 8+
This course will provide students with a positive musical experience. Students will learn the lines and space names for bass and treble clef, basic rhythm patterns, musical symbols, key signatures. They will learn to sing scales on the solfege system and beginning sightreading skills will be taught. Two Performances will be given: dates and times to be announced 
Syllabus

Music Appriciation "Live Online Class" :   Saturday 1:30 - 2:45 pm      Ages 10+
This class will teach students a short history of composers, music theory and concert etiquette. Studetns will learn the elements of music and how they relate to musical pieces. They will learn of the different types of performances media. Students will learn Muisc from the Middle ages through present day. They will also learn about Nonwestern Music and their styles. Online format Zoom.
Syllabus

KiddyKeys Beginning Level 1A :   Saturday 3:00 - 4:15 pm      Ages  5-7
KiddyKeys is a multi-faceted 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, rt hymn 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. 
Syllabus


Sunday  begin January 10th   (see syllabus below for actual dates, no classes April 5 - 12)

Niles Area Community Orchestra:  2:00 - 3:30 p.m.   ages 12 and up (If a student shows advanced skills at the audition, age exceptions will be made to the age requirement).
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- 4:00 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. 
Auditions will be held on December 14th - 18th.  Call to set appointment time for an audition .
Syllabus


*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.

Teacher of Record: Mandy Jankoviak