Southeastern Community Music School to host summer programs
Thursday, March 29, 2018
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University Community Music School (CMS)
is hosting a series of summer programs for young musicians.
The summer programs includes a new high school band camp, a middle school band
camp, guitar workshop, chamber music workshop, choir workshop, and a strings orchestra
workshop, said Community Music School Director Jivka Duke.
“We look forward to working with the young musicians, providing the platform
for them to meet with Southeastern’s wonderful faculty and college students, while
bringing their skill and musicianship to the next level,” Duke said. “Through all
the fun activities we have planned, students will have the opportunity to learn, explore,
form new friendships and enjoy collaboration in sharing their love for the art of
music.”
The newly added high school band camp for musicians in grades nine through 12
is scheduled June 4-8, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with a concert at 7 p.m. on June
8. Musicians in grades five through eight can participate in the middle school band
camp from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. June 18-22, with a concert scheduled June 22 at 7 p.m.
Musicians have until May 1 to register for both camps, which will take place
at Southeastern’s Pottle Music Building. Tuition for each camp is $225. Registration
is open until the first day of camp; however, a $20 late fee will apply to registrations
postmarked after May 1.
Southeastern’s Interim Director of Bands Derek Stoughton will coordinate both
band camps, Duke said. Along with the concert band, the camps will also offer private
lessons and masterclasses, jazz combos, lessons in improvisation and theory classes.
The chamber music, choir and guitar workshops are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12
p.m. June 25- June 29, with a concert at 1 p.m. on June 29. Tuition cost for each
workshop is $170 and includes lunch on Friday, June 29. Registration is open until
the first day of the workshops; however, a $20 late fee will apply to registrations
postmarked after May 20.
The chamber music workshop is open to violin, viola, cello and piano students
of any age who have at least one year of previous experience, Duke said. The workshop
will focus on chamber music repertoire, including but not limited to duets, piano
trios, and quartets. Students will have the opportunity to improve their, sight-reading
skills and instrumental technique, as well as develop stronger ensemble skills.
The focus of the choir workshop is on choir repertoire. Students will also have
the opportunity to improve their sight reading skills and vocal technique, Duke said.
Activities will include choir rehearsals, master classes and music theory instruction.
Guitar Workshop Director Pat Kerber said the workshop’s focus is on learning
to arrange and perform popular songs utilizing and developing the students’ skill
levels. The workshop is open to guitar students 10 years of age and older.
“The ability to read music is not required. Students should have at least six
months of experience playing the guitar,” Kerber said. “The only other requirements
are a desire to learn, practice, and play. Instruction in classical guitar is also
available.”
The beginners’ string orchestra workshop will take place from 4 -5:30 p.m., June
25 to June 28, and on June 29, from 10:30 am -12 p.m., with a concert at 1 p.m. on
June 29. Suitable for first to third-year violin, viola, and cello students, the workshop
will be taught by Duke. Tuition for the workshop is $125. Registration is open until
the first day of the workshop; however, a $20 late fee will apply to registrations
postmarked after May 20.
The CMS will also offer private instrumental and vocal lessons from June 11 to
July 26.
For more information on any of these programs, go to www.southeastern.edu/smc or call 985-549-5502.
