Northern Illinois University Community School spring art and music programs for children and adults of all ages begin in mid-January, with registrations due Jan. 11. The CSA offers year-round art and music programming, employing more than 50 teachers and serving more than 400 participating students from 50-plus surrounding towns.
Scholarships
Financial aid is available for students age 18 or younger who want to pursue their study of the arts and who demonstrate financial need. Applications are available online and at the CSA office. The deadline to submit an application for need-based scholarships for spring 2016 is Jan. 7.
Music classes for young children
Prelude is a group music class with singing, dancing, and rhythm and music games for toddlers ages 1 to 3. It is taught by Laurie Rodriguez and meets Saturdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Development group music class is for children ages 3 to 5 and builds on the activities of the Prelude Class, with some demonstrations of music instruments. The class meets on Saturdays from 10:35 to 11:05 a.m. Early registration is recommended for these popular classes that begin on Jan. 16 and meet for 12 weeks.
Music-related classes for
older children and adults
Group Guitar for Kids provides children ages 8 to 12 with an introduction to guitar playing through a fun, song-oriented approach to learning. Exposure to fundamentals of music such as scales, chords, rhythm, melody, harmony and playing technique allows students to begin building their own toolbox of musical skills, which can lead to confident and comfortable playing. Taught by Aerie Bernard, this class meets from 6 to 6:55 p.m. Wednesdays starting Feb. 3.
Qi Gong (or Chi-Kung) is a precursor of Tai Chi. Students learn 24 postures divided into three sets. These exercises can be done at one time during the day or interspersed amid practice sessions or rehearsals to renew energy and release tension. Qi Gong also enables greater relaxation and concentration when practiced immediately before a performance. Eric Schroeder leads this class for ages 12 to adult, meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. on six Thursdays starting Jan. 28.
Guitar Basics and Intermediate Guitar is taught by talented guitarist and long-time teacher Quentin Dover on Wednesday evenings. Guitar Basics meets from 6 to 6:55 p.m. and Intermediate Guitar meets from 7 to 7:55 p.m. Both classes are for ages 13 to adult, begin Feb. 3 and meet for 12 weeks.
Jaina Krueger teaches group piano classes for ages 13 to adult on Monday evenings starting Jan. 25. Square One Piano: Group Basics Class meets from 6:15 to 7:10 p.m. and is for beginners. Piano Forte: Building Piano Skills meets from 7:15 to 8:10 p.m. and is for intermediate players.
Art Express for kids
Art Express is for ages 4 to 12 and meets on six Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning Feb. 6. Students learn about art and the world as they create original arts and crafts. Taught by NIU art education students supervised by an NIU School of Art instructor, the curriculum is new every semester and the classes are organized by age and limited in size.
Music ensembles
Musicians enjoy an ensemble experience as a way to share a love of music with others. The community school offers several ensembles, some for young musicians and some for older children and adults. Every ensemble performs in concert in the NIU music building at the end of each semester.
CSA Symphonette is a string orchestra for ages 8 to 16 that rehearses on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Directed by Linc Smelser, this group plays lively and challenging music and performs in concert twice during the year. The first 2016 Symphonette rehearsal on Feb. 2.
CSA Sinfonia is directed by Linc Smelser. This full youth orchestra, for musicians age 14 to 20, meets from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 6. CSA Sinfonia plays a wide variety of music and performs in concert three times during the year. Please call to ask about openings; this is an audition-only ensemble.
CSA Chamber Music
Director Linc Smelser coaches chamber ensembles; call 753-1450 for more information or to arrange an audition.
NIUkulele Ensemble is fun for beginning and intermediate ukulele players ages 9 to adult, directed by CSA guitar teacher Eric Schroeder. Beginners receive instruction and intermediate players are given more complicated parts to play. All types of ukuleles are welcome, and everyone must have an instrument. The group meets from 7:30 to 8:25 p.m. Mondays beginning Jan. 25.
CSA Guitar Ensemble meets Wednesdays from 8 to 8:55 p.m. Directed by Quentin Dover and designed for beginning and intermediate guitar players age 14 to adult, the group works on ensemble skills, building confidence and skill on the instrument. The first rehearsal is Feb. 10.
CSA Steelband is a great way for people to become familiar with the unique sound of the steelpan. Directed by Yuko Asada, CSA Steelband welcomes members age 14 to adult. No previous experience on the instrument is needed, but it is recommended that students be able to read music.
The steelpan family ranges from soprano to bass and each student chooses an instrument. The group rehearses from 6:30 to 7:25 p.m. Mondays beginning Jan. 25, playing many types of music including calypso, classical, rock and rhythm and blues.
CSA Children’s Choir directed by Mary Lynn Doherty rehearses on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 20 from 4:45 to 6:15 p.m. Placement auditions are on Jan. 13, call the office at 815-753-1450 to arrange an audition time. Welcoming children ages 7 to 15, the choir rehearses challenging and varied repertoire from all over the world and performs in concert in fall and spring. Children develop sight-reading and musicianship skills and learn to work together.
Music lessons
Traditional private music lessons are taught on a weekly basis and are available on all instruments. Music lessons using the Suzuki approach (combining private and group lessons) for young children are taught on violin, cello, piano and guitar.
Students attend private lessons weekly in the NIU Music Building. Participating students are invited to perform in recitals at the end of each semester. Lessons begin the week of Jan. 18.
The NIU Community School of the Arts is sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts at NIU. More information, including the scholarship application form and the registration form, can be found online at www.niu.edu/extprograms/csa/index.shtml or call 815-753-1450, or visit the Community School office located in Music Building Room 132.