In this four-session workshop, students will enjoy helping each other and working together in preparation for their all-county auditions. This is a perfect opportunity for both first time and returning audition students to finesse their scales and technique in addition to their required excerpts. Each week will have a different focus, culminating in a mock audition the final week with an experienced adjudicator. Put yourself at ease and look forward to your best possible score!

Instructors: Mark Runkles, Aileen Wiswakarma & Barbara Anastasion

Location: Ensemble Room & Gershwin Room, lower level

Schedule: Each Saturday from October 14th through November 4th, 1:00PM-2:00PM

Fee: $100

Join guitarist Tony Scaltz for this one hour all-ages workshop on modern guitar—no playing experience or guitar required! You’ll hear about various styles for the acoustic guitar and get a live demonstration in the process. See how modern American guitar traditions have been informed by Classical Spanish and world music idioms. Also learn about the versatility of the guitar and elements of compositional thought. There will be time for Q & A with the instructor.

Instructor: Tony Scaltz

Location: Ensemble Room, lower level

Schedule: October 17th, 7:00PM-8:00PM

Fee: FREE, suggested donation $5

In this fun and exciting four-week workshop, four middle school (grades 6-8) students will participate in a collaborative electronic keyboard group where they will develop musical creativity and fundamental ensemble skills. Students are interviewed ahead of time to ensure that the repertoire matches their interests. They will learn to listen and stay together as a musical group while learning keyboard features and arrangement and part writing techniques. Students will have the opportunity to perform as a group at future Opus recitals. Completion of at least Level 1 of Piano Adventures or equivalent is a prerequisite. Students will be provided with their own keyboard each week.

Instructor: Tim Pinelli

Location: Gershwin Room, lower level

Schedule: Each Saturday from October 14th through November 4th, 4:30PM-5:30PM

Fee: $100

In this four-session workshop, dedicated piano students ages 12 & up will participate in an interactive and supportive environment that fosters collaboration and musical maturity. Students will perform current repertoire each week to gain experience playing for others and in-depth knowledge about piano repertoire, music theory, history, technique, and the mechanics of the instrument itself. They will get to know each other in dedicated activities, and learn to be critical and engaged performers and listeners via constructive feedback. Additionally, they will explore how studying the piano intersects with and relates to other life pursuits.

Instructor: Tim Pinelli

Location: Ensemble Room, lower level

Schedule: October 21st, November 18th, December 9th, 3:00PM-4:30PM

Fee: $105

Our four-session strings studio class is a must for advancing violinists, violists, cellists, and string bassists ages 12 & up! It’s fun to play for others, and with others. While students work on their performance skills, they’ll learn how to provide constructive feedback and observe what’s going well, observe what others are doing and see that others are learning the same thing, and motivate each other to work harder each week. Fundamentals of string playing like bow use, articulation, string crossings, intonation, shifting, and vibrato will be regularly stressed and refined. Time permitting, we may consider string ensemble repertoire which is not always possible in an individual lesson.

Instructor: Mark Pfannschmidt

Location: Ensemble Room, lower level

Schedule: October 21st, November 18th, December 2nd, 1:00PM-2:30PM

Fee: $105