Community School of the Arts to offer new high school choir and Music Together “Big Kids” class

The Goshen College Community School of the Arts (CSA) is debuting a new choir for high school students and a new Music Together® class for “big kids.” The CSA is accepting registrations for the fall semester, which begins on August 26, 2013.

The new High School Honors Choir is an auditioned ensemble for choral singers in grades 9-12, and is directed by Goshen High School choral director and Music Center executive director Marcia Yost. Open auditions will be held on August 22, 2013 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Marcia Yost at (574) 535-7793 for more information.

Music Together Big Kids® is a new class of music and movement for children age 5-7. This class is the “next step” for children who have been in Music Together® family classes for birth to age five, but is also open to any child of this age who enjoys music.

In addition to these new offerings, the CSA continues to offer private music instruction, class and ensemble offerings to community members of all ages.

Private music lessons for all ages and levels in voice, piano, strings, flute, guitar and pipe organ are available and taught by experienced professionals. Suzuki violin and viola lessons which include private and group instruction are also available for children age 4-8.

Individual Orff method music lessons for diverse abilities and needs will be taught by certified Orff instructor Kent Dutchersmith, who will work with children on music concepts such as steady beat, improvising, rhythm patterns and melodic patterns using xylophones, singing and movement. In addition, Dutchersmith will teach a Homeschool Music Class for grades 1-5 based on Orff techniques in a group setting.

Student instrumental ensembles include CSA orchestras, beginning with Allegro for young note readers, Youth Honors Concert Orchestra for upper intermediate players and Youth Honors Symphony Orchestra for advanced high school players.

Choir and group singing opportunities for youth include Shout for Joy choir for grades 6-8 directed by Sandy Hill and Rejoice choir for grades 3-5 directed by Kristin Kauffman. Auditions for Shout for Joy and Rejoice will be held Aug. 19-20, 2013. Call the GC Music Center office (574) 535-7361 to learn more or to schedule an audition time.

Music Together® classes (music and movement) for preschoolers and a caregiver will be held at the Music Center and other locations in Goshen and Elkhart, beginning the week of September 9. Complete class listings are available at www.gcmusiccenter.org or by calling the Music Center Office at (574) 535-7361.

CSA offerings for adults include New Horizons String Orchestra for players at all levels, in addition to all private lesson options.

As a bonus, CSA students and immediate family members may attend many concerts and recitals at the Music Center for free that others pay admission to attend. A list of eligible concerts is available at www.gcmusiccenter.org/concerts.

Last year, over 900 students participated in the programs offered through CSA. Space for some programs is limited so early registration is advised. The registration deadline for all private lessons is August 19, 2013. Lessons begin the week of August 26. The registration deadline for Music Together® classes is Wednesday, September 4, with classes beginning the week of September 9. Need-based scholarships are available for most programs. Please visit www.gcmusiccenter.org or call the Music Center office at 574-535-7361 for more information or to register.