Northern Illinois University Community School of the Arts offers music lessons and classes for children and adults of all ages. The CSA offers year-round programming for more than 500 students who come to DeKalb from about 50 cities, towns and suburbs to participate in classes, lessons and music ensembles.
Scholarships
Financial assistance is available for students age 18 or younger who want to pursue their study of music or art. Funding for scholarships is provided through private donations, fundraising activities, and support from the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund. The deadline for submitting a need-based scholarship application for the fall semester is Aug. 23. Applications are available online and by calling the NIU Community School of the Arts.
Music lessons – traditional and Suzuki
The CSA offers traditional private music lessons on nearly all instruments. Music lessons using the Suzuki approach (combining private and group lessons) are taught on violin, cello, piano and guitar.
Music teachers meet with students weekly in the NIU Music Building, and students are invited to prepare for and participate in a recital at the end of each semester. Private music lessons begin the week of Aug. 26.
Music classes for young children
New this year is Ukulele for Kids. The ukulele’s small size and easy accessibility make it a great first instrument for kids developing their musical abilities. Participants will learn basic ukulele skills by practicing children’s songs, Disney melodies and some pop tunes. Teacher Tzu Tsen Wu has designed this class for children ages 6 to 12 to explore the musical world together as an ensemble. Students should bring a ukulele to class; all types of ukuleles are welcome. Class meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting Sept. 11.
Children’s early music education
Prelude is a group music class with singing, dancing and rhythm and music games for toddlers ages 1 to 3. Prelude class meets from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays.
Development is a group music class for children ages 3 to 5 that builds upon the activities of the Prelude class, with more music activities and fun demonstrations of musical instruments. Development class meets on Saturdays from 10:35 to 11:05 a.m.
Music educator and musician Laurie Rodriguez teaches these classes, starting on Sept. 21 and meeting for 12 weeks. Early registration is recommended.
Piano Starter for Children meets from 4 to 4:40 p.m. Tuesdays. This small group class is limited to four children ages 5 to 7 and is ideal as a beginning class for children to prepare for private music lessons. Taught by piano teacher Soo-Yon Choi, this class meets for 12 weeks. Once the fall class has filled, registration for the spring section will be open. The fall class starts Sept. 10.
Group Guitar for Kids teacher Quentin Dover introduces children ages 8 to 12 to guitar playing through a fun, song-oriented approach to learning. No previous guitar experience is required, and students should bring a guitar to class. Class meets from 5 to 5:55 p.m. Thursdays starting Sept. 5.
Music classes for older children and adults
Guitar Basics and Intermediate Guitar are taught by guitarist and longtime teacher Quentin Dover on Thursday evenings. Guitar Basics meets from 6 to 6:55 p.m. and Intermediate Guitar meets from 7 to 7:55 p.m. Both classes welcome students ages 13 to adult, begin on Sept. 5, and meet for 12 weeks.
Adults can learn to play piano in a fun, group atmosphere, when Soo-Yon Choi teaches group piano classes for ages 13 to adult on Monday evenings starting Sept. 9. Square One Piano: Group Basics meets from 6:15 to 7 p.m. and is for beginners. Piano Forte: Building Piano Skills meets from 7 to 7:45 p.m. and is for intermediate players.
Qi Gong (or Chi-Kung) practice renews energy, releases tension and enables relaxation and concentration. A known precursor to tai chi, these exercises can be done at one time during the day, or interspersed amid music practice sessions, rehearsals or other tasks. Students learn 24 postures divided into three sets during six class meetings on Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. starting Sept. 9.
Music ensembles
Musicians share a love of music and learn to play with others through the ensemble experience. The NIU Community School offers several music ensembles, some for young musicians and others for older children and adults. Every ensemble performs a concert in the NIU Music Building at the end of each semester.
CSA Symphonette is a string orchestra for ages 8 to 16 that rehearses from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Directed by Linc Smelser, this group plays lively and challenging music and performs in concert twice during the year. The first Symphonette rehearsal is Sept. 17.
CSA Sinfonia is directed by Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra conductor Linc Smelser. This full youth orchestra meets from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Aug. 28 and admits musicians ages 14 to 20 by audition. CSA Sinfonia plays a wide variety of music and performs two concerts during the year. Call for more information about scheduling an audition.
NIUkulele Ensemble promises fun for beginning and intermediate ukulele players ages 9 to adult. This ensemble is directed by CSA teacher Eric Schroeder. Beginners receive instruction and intermediate players can play the more complicated parts. All types of ukuleles are welcome, and participants must bring an instrument and a love for playing music with a group. NIUkulele Ensemble rehearses from 7:30 to 8:25 p.m. Mondays beginning Sept. 9.
CSA Guitar Ensemble meets from 8 to 8:55 p.m. Thursdays. Directed by Quentin Dover, guitar players ages 14 to adult work on ensemble skills, build confidence and skill on the guitar, and perform two concerts during the year. The first rehearsal is Sept. 12.
CSA Steelband welcomes people to experience the unique sound of the steelpan. Directed by Yuko Asada, the band welcomes members ages 12 to adult. No previous experience on the instrument is needed, but it is recommended that students can read music. The steelpan family ranges from soprano to bass, and each student chooses an instrument. The group performs in concert several times during the year. CSA Steelband rehearses from 6:30 to 7:25 p.m. Mondays beginning Sept. 9.
Art classes
Art Express is for ages 4 to 12 and meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays beginning Sept. 21. Students learn about art and the world as they create original arts and crafts. Taught by NIU art education students supervised by an NIU School of Art instructor, the curriculum is new every semester, and the classes are organized by age and limited in size.
The NIU Community School of the Arts is sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts at NIU.
Information, including the scholarship application form, registration form, and online registration can be found at www.csa.niu.edu, or by calling 815- 753-1450. The NIU Community School of the Arts office is in Room 132 of the NIU Music Building.
Source: The Daily Chronicle
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