FIRST PERIOD CLASS OPTIONS
Music Literacy–Learn to quickly and accurately read music with instruction in pitch/solfege, rhythm, and basic piano keyboard identification.
Orchestra– Play in a full orchestra of woodwind, brass, strings and percussion and join the Warren Philharmonic in performance at Pops in the Fountain the evening of June 29. For students who have completed Music Literacy Classes (formerly named Conversational Solfege 1 & 2) or by permission from WCSMS director.
Vocal Coaching – This class is for students entering their third (or more) year in Warren County Summer Music School. We will be focusing on finding our own voices, choosing appropriate music for our voices, sight-reading through solfege, and performance.
MUSIC LESSONS
Brass (trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba) – Level-appropriate instruction in playing your instrument with focus on both tone production and music reading.
Celtic Harp Level 1 (6th grade and older) – Students will learn the basic parts of the harp and its history, and learn finger placement, hand position and plucking technique. Students will work on both solo and harp choir pieces and will play individually and as a group. Prerequisite: Students need to read both treble and bass clefs.
Celtic Harp Level 2 — For students that have taken Celtic Harp I.
Guitar Level 1 (for Beginners) – Introduction to the guitar includes care and handling, tuning, posture, hand positioning, easy entry-level music reading, beginning scale consisting of natural notes in first position, beginner’s chords, and right hand picking and strumming. History of the guitar and related styles of music also covered. No prerequisite.
Guitar Level 2 (Intermediate/Advanced) – Continuing study of the guitar includes introduction to major and minor scales, the accidentals in first position, more complex first position chords, more complex music reading exercises, as well as rhythm patterns; and an introduction to barre chords, tuning with natural harmonics, and right-hand finger-picking. Prerequisites: Guitar for Beginners; continued study of the instrument since Guitar for Beginners; and student should possess an instrument with which to practice at home.
Bass Guitar (Beginning/Intermediate) – Group instruction in bass guitar for the beginner/ intermediate player. Through work on the instrument and work in music theory, students gain improved ability to perform on the bass.
Piano Level 1 – Students will learn to read treble and bass clef notes, develop keyboarding skills, and play in C Major five finger position, learning note values eighth notes through whole notes, I and V7 chords, and simple songs. (For students who have never studied piano).
Piano Level 2 – For students with past piano experience but who are not currently taking piano lessons.
Pipe Organ (requires two class periods daily) – An introduction to playing “The King of Instruments.” Keyboard and pedal technique will be explored, as well as registration, including the various stop controls. Students should have at least basic keyboard skills and music reading abilities. Students will walk with the instructor to their lessons at First Presbyterian and First Lutheran Churches, with time on the church organs made available to those participating.
Percussion Level 1 – The class for the beginning drummer in us all. Our journey begins with learning how to hold the sticks and tap to the rhythm of music you hear every day. We move on to counting and pretty soon, you become a percussionist, learning how to count and read actual percussion music. Bring to class a pair of drumsticks, size 5B or 2B to class; we will provide a drum pad.
Percussion Level 2 – For students who have taken Percussion I. Bring your drumsticks!
Percussion Level 3 – DRUM KIT! – For those who have already completed at least two years of percussion.
Percussion Level 4 – Advanced Technique on many percussion instruments.
Recorder Level 1 – Learn to play the recorder through folk songs. WCSMS will provide recorders.
Strings Level 1 (violin, viola, cello, bass) – New beginner or played only in 4th grade.
Strings Level 2 (violin, viola, cello, bass) – Took lessons at WCSMS last year and in school this year.
Strings Level 3-4 (violin, viola, cello, bass) – Completed Levels 1 and 2.
Ukulele Level 1 – If you are looking for a new, fun and portable instrument to learn, try the ukulele. We will learn eight chords and several songs within the three weeks. It is a great instrument to sing along with or a great primer to the guitar. (We have 12 ukuleles to lend)
Ukulele 2 – Must have completed Ukulele Level 1.
Ukulele 3 – Must have completed Ukulele Levels 1 & 2.
Voice Level 1: I Think I Want To Sing! – This is an introductory class for students who want to “dip a toe” into the world of singing. We will be learning to use our voices, breath, and bodies to make healthy vocal sounds. We will be learning to sing melodies in groups, both large and small.
Voice Level 2: This Singing Thing Is Fun! – Students will be continuing to learn to sing in groups and begin learning to sing harmonies. Depending on class progression we will be singing in two, three or even four parts!
Woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon) – Level-appropriate instruction in playing your instrument with focus on both tone production and music reading.
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES (in addition to Orchestra)
Handbells – Enjoy being part of a musical “team” while playing handbells! No prior experience with bells needed, but students need to have experience reading music and commit to attending daily.
Jazz Workshop – Learn to play jazz and improvise in an ensemble including saxophones, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion, and bass. (students must have played their instrument for at least two years.
Strings, Rock and Rosin – Explore music from the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Coldplay, just to name a few. A chance to improve upon the art of improvisation and advanced string technique not normally found in standard classical repertoire. (Must have at least 2 years of strings experience).
Show Choir – Make a joyful noise and come be a part of Show Choir! Learn a repertoire of fun musical pieces all the while learning and practicing good vocal technique, projection, choreography, and team work. Singers should be prepared to sing and perform a show choir piece for a Morning Wake Up concert.
THEATRE
Acting Out: Intro to Drama – Learn the basics of drama and acting in a group setting. We will have several short acting scenes, directed and performed by the students.
Costumes and Sets: Through the Ages – Learn about differences in costumes, settings, and props used throughout different decades of performing. Students will get to learn through different time periods to design and organize a set and costume line.
Rappin’ and Clappin’ Through Poetry – Learn to write poetry, and transform these poems into amazing rap songs. Students will read different raps and poems, and construct their own rap, which will be recorded. Instrumentals will be added, as each student thinks necessary for their rap.
Script Writing – Study the different aspects of a script, and write a one-scene script. Students will work through each part of a script, including the meaning and intention, and be able to write their own one-scene script.
DANCE
Combo Dance – Interested in moving and grooving? This course explores an array of dance genres such as ballet, jazz, musical theatre, social dance, and more. Learn the history behind each dance genre and what movement fundamentals make each dance what it is. Get your boogie on through exhilarating warm ups, fun combinations to current music, partner work, and much more!
Tap – Learn the basics about tap and the relationship that tap holds with music. We will do center work, skill building, rhythm work, across the floor, and choreography.
VISUAL ART
Abstract Art (mixed media) – Explore a variety of artists that worked abstractly and were inspired by music. Students will create works of art using a variety of media and techniques.
Advanced Drawing/Drawing What The Eye Sees (7th grade and older) – Teach your hand to draw what the eye sees! This class will be focused on observational drawing and realism.
Drawing & Painting – Students will work with a variety of materials to draw and paint still lifes, portraits, landscapes, and more
Face & Figure Drawing (7th grade & older, must have completed WCSMS Advanced Drawing or Art 1 at your school) –
Fiber Arts Level 1 – Learn about various forms of fiber art, including needle and wet felting, and yarn art. We’ll study the history of fiber arts and discuss modern uses for this versatile medium. Students will create both 2D and 3D pieces.
Fiber Arts Level 2 – For students who already completed Level I, continuing to learn about various forms of fiber art, including needle and wet felting, and yarn art. We’ll study the history of fiber arts and discuss modern uses for this versatile medium. Students will create both 2D and 3D pieces. And yes, you may take this class more than one year — different projects!
Handcrafted Instruments – Make your own music! Did you know that you probably have the materials in your own home to make a musical instrument? We’ll discover what exactly defines “music”, and learn to create several handmade instruments. Students will see examples of various artists of today who are still inventing new and unusual instruments. We’ll learn how to tune some of our own handcrafted instruments and hopefully even play a song!
Jewelry Making (intro to jewelry design) – This course introduces students to basic metalsmithing techniques, including fabrication, piercing, forging, and wire wrapping. It will also include the use of polymer clays and found objects. We will use music as one method to generate designs for the jewelry created.
Photography Level 1 – Explore the basics of photography. Students will learn the fundamentals of digital photography with an emphasis on composition, lighting, aesthetics and utilizing photography as a documentary instrument. Students may bring any type of digital camera or, if necessary, use the camera on their cell phone.
Photography Level 2– Must have completed Photography Level 1.
Sculpture – Students will explore a number of sculptural techniques, including paper maché, ceramics, found assemblage, etc.
Stop Motion Animation – Learn the basics of stop motion animation. In this class we will create our own characters and backdrop, learn to storyboard, and produce a short animated film using the stop motion technique. Bring your smartphone, tablet, or laptop with camera to class and you will be registered for a free account on cloudstopmotion.com.
OTHER COOL STUFF
Drum Circle – In our circle, there is respectful communication and everyone is involved. We use drums, percussion instruments, singing, improvisation and movement to explore traditional African and Caribbean music. Songs will be taught through aural tradition. Emphasis is on feeling the beat, listening to each other, learning to sing, moving and playing simultaneously.
Folk Songs from Around the World – Learn and sing some very singable folk songs from all over the world (singing in English as well as many different languages!).
GarageBand (6th grade & older) – Designed for students just trying GarageBand for the first time, this course will help students learn the basics of the GarageBand program with the final outcome being a digital portfolio of music created and edited by the student. Students will learn how to: record audio (voice, instruments, etc.), use loops, cut/paste/trim audio files, manipulate volume/fade in/out, and more! Projects may include creating songs, creating a ringtone, radio advertisements, mini-podcasts, audio story-telling, and movie music.
Humor in Music – Includes such things as Haydn’s “Surprise” Symphony, the use of the scherzo, and Charles Ives’ Variations on “America,” as well as humorous songs, poems, pictures, stories, video clips, games, and puzzles.
Instrument Repair (7th grade & older) – Students will learn emergency and minor repairs such as pad and spring replacement, reed adjusting, bridge reseating, and replacing strings.
Making A Music Video – Have you ever wanted to create or star in a music video? Now is your big chance! This class will be a great place to flex your creative muscles by learning to tell visual stories through the combination of music and video. We will select music, locations, costumes, camera angles, edit the videos to create a finished product, and have fun in the process!
Music & Animals (5th & 6th grade) – Explore a wide variety of songs, recordings, poems, stories, games, and videos combined with some Humane Education involving safety and kindness. (New materials each year!)
Music Theory – Focus on basic concepts of music theory (scales, modes, chords, harmony, form) and aural skills with perhaps a little composition project at the end.
Songwriting – Intro to Songwriting – Have you ever found yourself listening to your favorite artists and wondered if you might be able to write songs too? Well, this class is the perfect place to begin to explore the world of self expression through songwriting! We’ll take time to learn from the artists we love and start to experiment with creating some songs of our own.
Songwriting Level 2 – Do you find yourself always coming up with lyrics or melodies but would love some help taking your songs to the next level? Then, this class is for you! We will spend time crafting your musical ideas to develop a songwriting style to fit your unique perspective and personality, so you can create songs that you’re proud of.
Yoga – This yoga experience will focus on beginner poses and students will gain an understanding of the history of yoga and the benefits that you can gain from yoga and meditation practices.