Symphony Music School to begin school year

JSO Community Music School to begin school year, adds flute instruction

The Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community Music School is proud to announce the addition of Marissa Olin to the faculty as instructor of flute.  She received her doctorate in flute performance from Michigan State University in 2010.  Dr. Olin has a long-standing relationship with the JSO, playing in the symphony’s flute section, coaching students and performing a concerto with the Jackson Youth Symphony, and teaching at the Community Music School’s Summer Music Camp.  She is also the flute instructor at Spring Arbor University

Registration for private music lessons begins August 27. Lessons and classes for the fall semester will start on Sept. 10. Instruction is available on the following instruments: bass, bassoon, cello, flute, oboe, percussion, piano, trumpet, viola and violin. (Instruction on some instruments may be temporarily unavailable due to enrollment levels.) 

The Community Music School is continuing its successful “Education Explosion” classes from last year.  The topics include Chamber Music, Theory/Ear Training, Composition/Arranging, Conducting, and Percussion Ensemble. (See more details below.) Start dates are anticipated for late September. Please call school registrar Liz DeLano at 782-3221 ext. 118 if you think you might like to enroll. 

Registration for Early Childhood Music Classes also is underway. The classes begin Sept. 11 and last for 13 weeks. The program provides children — infants through age 5 — with exposure to a variety of listening, vocal, tactile and movement activities. The classes not only contribute to brain development, but also facilitate the development of skills such as communication, self-expression, social interaction, group collaboration, language development and literacy. Parental participation in these classes is required.

To celebrate the new season an Open House will be held from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 7 at the JSO, 215 W. Michigan Ave. 

“All students and families, both new and returning, are invited to attend,” said David Schultz, CMS Administrative Director. “At the open house you’ll be able to get your first look at our new facilities and talk with instructors about the new class offerings. There will be general information meetings for new parents/guardians.  We’ll also have live music and refreshments!”

Schultz also is encouraging inspiring musicians to check out the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra.  

“The main group consists of a full symphony orchestra of intermediate to advanced students in grades 8-12,” he said. 

The JYSO also has a strings-only ensemble for younger students that acts as a training program for the full symphony. An open rehearsal will take place at 3 p.m. Sept. 9 with auditions the following weekend.  

“Any student interested in participating is welcome to attend,” Schultz said. “If you’ve ever dreamed of what it’s like to play in a large symphony orchestra, these groups are for you.”

For more information about the JSO’s Community Music School programs, visit the JSO web site at www.JacksonSymphony.org or call DeLano at 782-3221 ext. 118.

“Now in its 21^st year, the JSO Community Music School is celebrating over two decades of providing life-long music learning opportunities to Jackson area families,” DeLano said. “If you want to become a musician, or take a class just for fun, there’s a wide variety of courses available.” 

SIDEBAR — Education Explosion

Chamber Music

For: Any student taking private lessons that has had at least a year of previous private instruction.

Class Description: Experience the joy of music by playing together with your peers! Students are arranged into small chamber ensembles (2-5 people) for the entire semester. Each group is given specific repertoire to play and is assigned a faculty coach. Groups will rehearse on a regular basis and will receive regular coaching from faculty. Enrollment includes access to JSO rehearsal rooms during normal school hours and participation on an end-of-semester recital. Beginning/Intermediate ensembles will receive twelve 45-minute coaching sessions. Advanced ensembles will receive nine 60-minute coaching sessions.

Faculty: Ji Hyun Kim, Clyde McKaney, David Schultz, Fangye Sun, Daniel Tressel

Theory/Ear Training

For: Beginning/Intermediate students who have studied music for at least one year and more Advanced students who have studied music for at least four years.

Class Description: Enhance your musical skills by focusing on the building blocks of musical construction.  Students receive instruction in music theory, covering topics such as note recognition, intervals, key signatures, chord construction, and chord progressions. Classes will make use of the Community Music School’s brand new computer and keyboard lab. The class contains two sections: Beginning and Advanced. Each section contains twelve 45-minute sessions per semester.

Faculty: Daniel Tressel

Composition/Arranging

For: Advanced students who have studied music for at least four years.

Class Description: Put your original musical ideas on paper, learn about the art of orchestral arranging and gain experience using musical notation software. Students will receive class instruction on composition techniques, ways to develop musical ideas, orchestration and notation. Classes will make use of the Community Music School’s brand new computer and keyboard lab. (The class will also be offered as private lessons at teacher’s discretion.) Class consists of ten 60-minute sessions per semester.

Faculty: Daniel Tressel

Conducting

For: Advanced students (10^th grade or older) who have studied music for at least four years.

Class Description: Learn the basics of directing an ensemble. Class will cover baton technique, expressive gestures, and score study. Enrollment includes one conducting session in front of a chamber ensemble comprised of professional Jackson Symphony Orchestra musicians. (Class will also be offered as private lessons at teacher’s discretion.) Class consists of ten 60-minute sessions per semester.

Faculty: David Schultz

Percussion Ensemble

For: Any musician interested in banging a drum (no prior experience necessary!), or more advanced percussion students with at least three years of instruction.

Class Description: Class consists of two sections: beginning and advanced. The beginning class offers a chance for anyone to learn the basics of percussion technique. The advanced class presents an opportunity for more experienced percussionists to rehearse in an organized ensemble with specified repertoire, culminating in an end-of-semester performance. (The advanced class will run in conjunction with the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra. Auditioning for JYSO is strongly recommended. Class consists of ten 60-minute sessions per semester.

Faculty: Scott Moilanen