Southeastern Community Music School celebrates milestone
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
9/16/10
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Community Music School (CMS) this year celebrates 15 years of serving the north shore area. CMS will commemorate the occasion with a special concert during Fanfare on Oct. 17 at the First United Methodist Church in Hammond.
The 3 p.m. concert will showcase an entertaining variety of individual and group performances by the talented students and faculty of CMS.
“For 15 years, the Community Music School has provided the entire region with a valuable community-based program of music education,” said Jivka Jeleva, CMS interim director. “The school is located within Pottle Music Building, so the CMS students enjoy the same advantages as Southeastern’s college students who are majoring in music.”
Students of all ages and backgrounds participate in a wide variety of private lessons, classes and ensembles taught by Southeastern’s music department faculty, and undergraduate and graduate student instructors. Tuition includes music theory classes, ensembles, masterclass coaching sessions with Southeastern music professors and a variety of performance opportunities.
“In the seven years I served as director of the Community Music School, I was continually impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm of the CMS faculty, which includes so many of Southeastern’s music students,” said former CMS Director and Southeastern pianist Ken Boulton. “They are helping to meet a vital need in the nurturing of musical talent among children and adults throughout our region. The entire north shore community benefits immeasurably from this incredible educational resource, provided through such steadfast support from the Southeastern administration.”
Through CMS, programs are also offered for dedicated and enthusiastic adult students, including several group keyboard classes, the Northshore Community Band and adult recital programs.
Other ensembles include the CMS Select Choral Ensemble, CMS String Ensemble and the CMS Preparatory Choir. Students may also participate in music theory classes designed for specific grades and experience levels and have the opportunity to study with music professors in masterclass coaching sessions.
“Regardless of the level of experience the students have, it is our goal to foster the advancement of their music skills,” said Jeleva. “We strive to provide a foundation for many different types of music expression, while preserving the traditions of classical music training and performance.”
CMS also continues to offer a variety of musical instruction at the St. Tammany Center in Mandeville and at the Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center in Walker.
Along with the Fanfare concert, the CMS will also present its “Shining Stars” concert on Nov. 29 at Pottle Auditorium, featuring some of the most dedicated and exceptionally gifted violin/fiddle students.
For more information about these programs and general registration, call Jeleva at 985-549-5502, or visit the CMS website at www.selu.edu/cms.
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