Community Music School
Music Programs
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For questions, please contact John Packard at jpackard@mvnu.edu or communitymusic@mvnu.edu.
Private Instruction
Private lessons are available for voice, piano, and most instrumental areas including woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, and guitar. Private lesson fees are paid directly to the instructor. Lessons are weekly 30-minute, 45-minute, or 60 minutes each. Lesson tuition is generally $60-120 per month for 30-minute lessons, prorated for longer lessons. All participants in private lessons are required to pay an annual facility and registration fee of $25.
To inquire about private instruction, send us an e-mail at communitymusic@mvnu.edu. You’ll receive information about available instructors. Once a lesson time has been arranged, the registration fee and annual facility fee of $25 will be paid. A link will be provided to pay the fee online.
Group Classes
Fall term begins Monday, September 18.
Each term includes ten 50-minute classes.
All community music classes meet at MVNU in the R.R. Hodges Chapel Building.
Beginner Guitar Class: Grades 5th - Adult
(Monday – 4:30 p.m.)
Participant fee – $110
This beginner class is designed for 5th grade through adult (Age 10 and older). The participant fee includes the cost of a method book. Purchase of supplemental materials may be required. Must provide own instrument. Classes are limited to 10 participants. Instructor: Andrew Clarkson
Voice Class: Grades 5th - 12th
(Tuesday – 5:00 p.m.)
Participant fee – $110
Group voice instruction is for anyone interested in singing who wants to enhance their skills, learn the proper techniques for vocal production, and gain confidence singing in front of others. In addition to group singing, participants will work on a solo piece. This could be a great opportunity to bring a song to work on for school (solo and ensemble) or an upcoming audition. Age levels for this class are 5th-12th grade. Participant fee includes the cost of a song book. Purchase of supplemental materials may be required. Class is limited to 10 participants.
Instructor: Cynthia Mahaney
Beginner String Class (Violin/Viola) for Grades 5th - Adult
(Tuesday – 6:00 p.m.)
Participant fee – $110
This beginner class is designed for 5th grade through adult (Age 10 and older). Participant fee includes the cost of a method book. Purchase of supplemental materials may be required. Must provide own instrument. *Please purchase or rent the instrument through a reputable instrument provider, one who can size the instrument correctly to the student. DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR INSTRUMENT ONLINE! Your instrument (violin or viola) must come with a shoulder rest, bow, rosin, cloth and case, as well as a music stand for home practice. Classes are limited to 12 participants. Instructor: Cynthia Mahaney
Beginner Piano Class: Grades 1st - 5th
(Thursday – 4:30)
Participant fee – $110
This piano class is designed for elementary age children. Your child will learn familiar and fun piano repertoire as he/she learns to read music and play with fluency. This class is available for age 6 (Grade 1) through age 11 (Grade 5). Participant fee includes the cost of a method book. Purchase of supplemental materials may be required. Class is limited to 10 participants.
Instructor: Amy Tatz
Knox Youth Choir
(Monday – 4:15 – 5:30 p.m.)
Starting Monday, September 25.
Participant fee – $65
The MVNU Community Music School is pleased to host and direct the Knox Youth Choir Program. The purpose of this choir is to help singers learn the joy of singing, build good vocal habits and a solid foundation for musical literacy skills while forming lasting friendships. The Youth Choir will consist of singers in third through eighth grade and is open to all interested students in the Mount Vernon and Knox County community. Older youth (7th-8th graders) are also invited to join the choir and will serve as leaders and assistants for the group.
We are pleased to welcome Luane Campbell as our new youth choir director! Luane recently retired from the Mt. Gilead Exempted Village Schools after teaching music for 39 years! She is excited to be able to continue sharing her love of teaching and performing music with the young singing musicians of Knox County!
The Knox Youth Choir will meet at MVNU in the R.R. Hodges Chapel Building beginning on Monday, September 25 at 4:15 PM.
The Knox Youth Choir will present two concerts: a winter concert (December) and a spring concert at the end of the school year (early May). The choir meets at MVNU in the R.R. Hodges Chapel Building beginning on Monday, September 25 at 4:15 PM. Payment for the year can be made in full ($65) or in two payments ($35 each).