Program Offerings
Piano
Students who study piano should have access to an acoustic piano or, if using an electric piano, a keyboard with weighted keys.
Stringed Instruments
Violins, violas, cellos, and string basses come in different sizes which enable them to be played by young children and adults alike. We recommend that a student is measured for the appropriate sized instrument by a professional. Please contact our office for recommendations of instrument dealers in our area.
Vocal Study
Students who study voice will receive foundational training which includes note reading and general music theory. Vocal styles taught include classical, pop, rock, folk, country, jazz, music theater, and gospel. Private vocal study for young children requires an assessment for readiness.
Guitar
Students who study guitar will learn to read music. Lessons are offered on both acoustic and electric guitar, and students are expected to bring their own instrument to lessons.
Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Instruments
Wind and percussion instruments come in one size which is why it is generally recommended that students delay study until they are big enough to physically handle the instrument (usually 5th grade). We offer instruction on: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, mallet and battery percussion. Please contact our office for recommendations of dealers in our area from which you can rent an instrument.
Piano Safari Friends - 2nd year
Meet the Piano Safari Friends as your 5-6 year old starts on their piano journey. Piano Safari Friends is intended to prepare students for Piano Safari Level 1. Its aim is to provide young children with rich and enjoyable musical experiences through movement, singing, imitating, improvising, and learning the fundamentals of rhythmic notation and pre-staff reading. Ownership of a piano is required. Book is included.
This class begins in the fall and runs a full year.
Spring enrollment for continuing students only.
Katherine Fisher, instructor
Mondays, 4:15-5:05 p.m.
Room 540, Glidden Hall
For 5-6 year olds
Continuing students only in 2023-2024
$275 for spring semester
First spring class - January 22, 2024
Piano Safari - Level 1
Set off on a musical journey to explore fundamental musical and technical concepts. Piano Safari is an exciting new approach to learning piano that combines the best of established pedagogical traditions with innovative ideas. Students will be taught the basics of music theory, reading notation, and how to play with excellent technique and musicianship. Ownership of a piano is required. Books are included.
This class begins in the fall and runs a full year.
Spring enrollment for continuing students only.
Wendy Blackwood, instructor
Mondays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Room 586, Glidden Hall
For 2nd-4th graders
$275 for spring semester
First class - January 22, 2024
KidSing!
Children will learn the FUNdamentals of music through games and play and develop their singing voices in preparation for participation in the Athens Children’s Chorus.
Melanie Horne, instructor
Saturdays, 9:15-10:00 a.m.
Room 303, Glidden Hall
For 1st & 2nd graders only
$80 for 8 classes
First class - January 20, 2024
Smart Start
The positive atmosphere of this class helps foster lifelong connections with music, builds strong parent-child emotional bonds, and develops the foundation for basic cognitive skills including attention, memory, perception, and cognitive flexibility. Through Smart Start’s neuroscience- based curriculum, you and your child will learn about the fundamentals of music by moving your bodies, singing, and playing. In every class session, you will learn multicultural songs and games with particular attention paid to beat, rhythm, and listening skills.
Abigail Olson, instructor
Tuesdays, 10:00-10:45 a.m. - 0-12 months
Tuesdays, 11:15-12:00 a.m. - 1-2 years
Thursdays, 10:00-10:45 a.m. - 2-3 years
Fridays, 10:00-11:00 a.m. - 3-4 years
Room 303, Glidden Hall
$175 for spring semester
First classes - the week of January 16, 2024
Athens Youth Chorus
Melanie Horne, director
The Athens Youth Chorus is a performance ensemble, which focuses on healthy and expressive singing habits, rehearsal and performance techniques, and music reading skills. The ensemble performs 2- and 3-part songs, partner songs, and canons at various concerts throughout the year including a children’s chorus festival. Students learn musical concepts by singing quality music appropriate to the child voice from a variety of periods and a wide range of styles and cultures.
Apprentices - for children in grades 3-5; non-auditioned; meets 6:30-7:15 p.m. on Thursdays in room 480, Glidden Hall.
Advanced Ensemble - for children in grades 6-9; audition required; meets 6:45-7:30 p.m. on Thursdays in room 480, Glidden Hall.
Tuition is $250 for the 2023-2024 school year.
First class in spring semester - January 18, 2024
Piano Ensemble Project
Join the piano orchestra!
This group aims to promote collaborative music making in young piano students. Orchestral scores are arranged for piano at varying levels, both in terms of difficulty and number of performers. Each pianist’s part represents a different section of the orchestra, and percussionists play the symphonic repertoire with the ensemble! This targets many musical skills, including rhythmic accuracy, following a conductor, sight reading, artistic interpretation, and aural skills. This unique model of chamber music keeps students motivated and engaged while offering a team atmosphere that they can enjoy. The rehearsals and onstage performing experience also provide psychosocial enrichment for the children and teenagers involved. Students must be able to read music at the piano.
Laura Silva, instructor
Thursdays, 5:15-6:00 p.m.
5th floor Keyboard Lab, Glidden Hall
$125 for spring semester
First class - February 15, 2024
Cadet Strings
The ACMS Cadet Strings group focuses on developing individual string technique as well as group performance skills. One concert will be presented per semester. Music is provided. Students must provide their own instruments.
This group is for students who have beginning string experience.
Tuesdays, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Room 540, Glidden Hall
Tuition is $75 for the spring semester.
First rehearsal - January 23, 2024
Athens City Schools - Cadet Strings
The ACMS Cadet Strings program was launched in the fall of 2019 to provide string instruction in communities around Southeast Ohio where string education is not readily available.
This program will offer group instruction on orchestral string instruments highlighting a variety of music styles and celebrating the rich string heritage already revered in Appalachia.
Based on the successful Cadet Strings program at the Athens Community Music School at Ohio University, the Cadet Strings program will be available at The Plains Intermediate School as well as Arts/WEST in the 2023-2024 school year.
Please contact the ACMS office at 740-593-4241 or acms@ohio.edu if you are interested in seeing this program at your school or town in the Southeast Ohio region.
Athens Community Jazz Ensemble
Dr. Matt James, director
Join the Athens Community Jazz Ensemble - a band for instrumentalists 19 and up celebrating America's music. Rehearsals will be twice a month on Sundays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Saxophone, trombone, trumpet, guitar, bass, drums, and piano welcome.
Registration must be completed online, and only the $10 registration fee is required per semester.
First rehearsal - TBA
Choral Union
Dr. Peter Haley, director
Choral Union is a large, mixed chorus of students, faculty, and townspeople. The ensemble unites annually with the Ohio University Symphony to perform outstanding major choral works each spring. Community members rehearse on Mondays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.
Registration must be completed online, and only the $10 registration fee is required.
First rehearsal - January 22, 2024
Campus Orchestra
Dr. José Rocha, director
The Campus Orchestra is intended for intermediate to advanced orchestral stringed instrument players and is open to all members of the community from middle school through adults. Meets on Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Glidden Hall 494.
Participants may register for OU credit. Contact Dr. Rocha at rocha@ohio.edu for more information about credit.
Registration must be completed online, and only the $10 registration fee is required.
First rehearsal - January 23, 2024
Camerata Strings
The Camerata Strings advances group performance skills required of orchestra musicians, introducing members to a mix of classical works and contemporary favorites. One concert will be presented per semester. Music is provided. Students must provide their own instruments. This group is for students who are at an intermediate level on violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
Tuesdays, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Room 480, Glidden Hall
For intermediate and early advanced string players
$75 for spring semester
First rehearsal - January 23, 2024