Class Concert Percussion
Check out how exciting playing in a Concert Percussion Ensemble can be! This class is designed to take concert classical percussionists at the level they're at, and move them forward through a comprehensive curriculum of individual percussion work as well as combining students into ensembles. Rudimentary and fundamental work on mallets and snare technique will be emphasized through unison group work. Then the students will refine their individual skills as well as develop their group skills through the performance of Percussion Ensemble literature. Beginning Class Percussion is a pre-requisite for this course for students with no percussion experience. Be a part of an amazing group of musicians and sign-up for Class Concert Percussion today!
Percussion Staff
John Normandin; Curriculum Development, Associate Director
Nick Arza; Instructor
Class Guitar I-IV
...Have a guitar and don’t know how to play it? ...Always wanted to learn, but thought it was too hard? Designed for the absolute beginner, Guitar I takes the novice student in a group setting from a zero-knowledge base to a basic reading of melody notes in root position while learning some basic major and minor chords. As the student progresses through Guitar IV the focus is on scales, chords, advanced idiomatic guitar techniques, reading of advanced-level rhythms of melodies and harmonies, and composition. After completing Class Guitar IV, students are encouraged to continue to develop their skills through playing guitar in one of our many ensembles, including Rock Ensemble, Jazz Big Band and Jazz Combo. Students with experience are encouraged to audition, and can accordingly be placed into the appropriate class for their development. Get strumming with Class Guitar today!
Guitar Staff
John Normandin; Director, Curriculum Development
Richard Cruz; Director
Class Strings I-IV
Whether your interests are in violin, viola, cello, or bass, Class Strings can take you to the next level of playing! As with all Rhythm & Pitch Instrumental Studies, students in Class I will learn the fundamentals of reading music and technique on their instrument, which in this case is proper bow and arm positions of playing a string instrument. By the time the student has reached Class IV, they will be performing works from the classic composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, and many others! Students with experience are encouraged to audition to be placed accordingly in the class level that best meets their developmental needs. Let Class Strings get your bow moving today!
Strings Staff
John Normandin; Director, Curriculum Development
Priscille Michel; Associate Director
Beginning Class Percussion
This course serves as an introduction to the world of percussion in a group setting! Students will learn the fundamentals of reading rhythmic and melodic dictation while learning the basic techniques of snare drum, xylophone, and auxiliary percussion instruments. This class is a pre-requisite for all inexperienced students who want to take Concert Percussion, Drumline, Class Drumset I-IV, Latin Percussion, Salsa Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Big Band, or Jazz Combo. Upon completion of Beginning Class Percussion, students are encouraged to play in one of the above mentioned groups. Get your sticks moving with Beginning Class Percussion today!
Percussion Staff
John Normandin; Curriculum Development, Associate Director
Nick Arza; Instructor
Class Latin Percussion
Class Latin percussion is for the percussion enthusiast interested in learning or improving their skills in the world of Latin Percussion to better prepare them for working situations in the professional South Florida Latin commercial music scene. Instruments emphasized will be timbales, congas, bongos, and the host of Latin Percussion toys, including guiro, claves, cow bell, and maracas. Styles will include all commercial and authentic styles of Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Bachata and Bolero. Beginning Class Percussion is a pre- requisite for this course for all students with no percussion experience. Students are encouraged to use the skills acquired in Class Latin Percussion to perform in one of our Performance Ensembles, including Jazz Combo and Salsa Band. Come get your blood going "caliente-style" with Class Latin Percussion!
Latin Percussion Staff
John Normandin; Curriculum Development, Associate Director
Drumline
Drumline is an exciting course within the world of marching percussion where marching snares, tenors, and basses are the focus! The course's curriculum centers around intense advanced rudimentary studies in preparation for correct style and interpretation of marching percussion music. A variety of cadences are covered, as well as marching and maneuvering techniques. All of the skills are then summarized into a percussion indoor performance show in the style of WGI. Students are encouraged to use the skills developed in this course and join our affiliated indoor competitive percussion group; "Cloud 9," which competes regularly at regional SFWGI competitions seasonally. Students with no prior percussion experience must complete Beginning Class Percussion as a pre-requisite to this course. Get your feet marching to the beat with drumline!
Drumline Staff
Nick Arza; Instructor
Drumline Staff John Normandin; Associate Director, Curriculum Design
Class Piano I-IV
“Tickling the ivory” is what it’s all about in Class Piano! Piano is considered to be the central instrument behind all facets of music education, helping to deepen the understanding and application of music theory and composition in any musical medium. Also, piano is the perfect introductory instrument for young musicians who may not have the strength to hold the instrument of their choosing by providing the student with an instrument that plays notes as easily as pushing a key, while still teaching fundamentals of music education. Offered as a weekly class, students have access to their own digital piano within a classroom setting that allows the instructor to move around the room and work with students on their individual progress as developing pianists. Class sizes are limited to 7 students at a time, so you’re guaranteed to get just the attention you need to continue to develop. Piano I is for the inexperienced beginner where fundamentals of piano technique and music reading are the focus, while levels II – IV frequently encounter elements of scale theory, dynamic and articulative expression, more challenging rhythms and increased technical facility. Piano students are encouraged to use the skills acquired in Class Piano to perform in one of our Performance Ensembles, including Jazz Big Band, Jazz Combo, Salsa Band, or Rock Ensemble. Get your fingers moving by signing up for Class Piano!
Class Piano Staff
John Normandin; Director, Curriculum Development
Amanda Godoy; Piano Instructor
Class Drumset I-IV
Do you find yourself always tapping a beat on any surface available? Do you love to play air drums on your favorite songs? Then let’s put that drive to use, with Class Drumset! Students will learn the basics of drumset through the study of rock beats, including reading rhythms, keeping time, and fills. As the student progresses, more difficult styles will be addressed in both their notation form, and performance, such as swing, funk, songo, bossa nova, afro-cuban, and others. Inexperienced students are required to take Beginning Class Percussion as a pre-requisite to this course. Experienced students are encouraged to audition, and will be placed in their corresponding level of development. Students are encouraged to use the skills acquired in Class Drumset to perform in our Jazz Big Band, Jazz Combo, Salsa Band, and Rock Ensemble. Get tapping to the beat with Class Drumset!
Class Drumset Staff
Nick Arza; Instructor
John Normandin; Associate Director, Curriculum Development
