Groups & Ensembles

Registration Steps:

1. Create your account and register for the appropriate group or ensemble here.
2. The office will confirm your registration.
3. You will receive an enrollment notification and payment link via e-mail to access your portal.
4. An email will be sent one week before the first rehearsal starts with important details.

There is a nonrefundable $20 registration fee per family per semester. Please see Payment Policies for additional information.

Discounts

Family discount: Families registering three or more students or registering for lessons on three or more instruments/groups/ensembles during the same transaction will receive a 10 percent discount off the family’s total tuition for the semester. The discount does not apply towards the registration fee or the monthly payment plan fee.

​Would you like to learn to play the guitar? Learn the basics of how to play the guitar as a solo and an accompaniment instrument with no experience needed.​ Each half-hour session will consist of scales, chords, history, and music theory.

Instructor: Glen Larson

Eligibility

No previous experience or knowledge needed. Ages 5 & up. Adults welcome!

Schedule

• Thursdays, 6:30–7:00 p.m., Nazareth Hall N3326
• Spring classes: January 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2, 16, April 6, 13 20, 27
• Fall classes: TBD

Requirements

• Acoustic guitar

A note from our guitar instructor on selecting a guitar:

We like to see students start on a classical guitar - that is, a nylon string acoustic guitar. There are a variety of brands, and every music store carries them. Just about anything you get will most likely be acceptable for a beginner. One thing we can suggest is that you pay attention to the size of your child. Depending on their size, you may want to get a guitar that is not full size such as a 3/4 size. An advantage of the classical guitar is that it allows students to get into a full size a bit sooner than if they were playing a normal style steel string guitar.

Tuition

• $125 per semester (12 weeks; 30-min. sessions)

Class Piano is a group session in which three to eight students of similar age and skill level learn to play the piano together. Students will learn to read music and play both solo and ensemble pieces in a variety of styles. The classes will include scales and chords with music theory, improvisation, and ear-training. This is a great course for beginners wanting to start piano in a group setting.

Students meet in a piano lab equipped with multiple digital pianos. Each student plays on a digital piano with weighted keys and uses headphones so that the instructor can listen to and communicate with each student individually. The instructor has the ability to listen to each student alone or combine two to five students so they can play songs together.

Instructor: Pam Sohriakoff

Advantages to Class Piano

• Students are given time to work on what they learn during the lesson and are taught how to practice.
• The class gives the instructor time to cover not only the students' pieces, but also music theory, improvisation, music history, note drills, scales, chords and ear training.
• Students motivate each other and enjoy lessons because of the group setting. They feel the camaraderie of their peers, much like the band and orchestra experiences at school.
• Students develop rhythm and ensemble skills by playing duet and group pieces with other students.

Eligibility

Class Piano is available to beginners age 7 and up with no previous piano experience. Students must be able to read and work independently. Adults are welcome!

Schedule

Class Piano is offered on Mondays for 12 lessons with a recital on the final day of class.

• Mondays, 6:15–7:00 p.m., Totino Fine Arts Center F2229 (Piano Lab)
• Spring classes: January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13, April 3, 10, 17, 24
• Fall classes: TBD

Requirements

• Students must have a piano or keyboard to practice on during the week.
• Practice outside of class is expected.

Book Requirements:

• Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Book 1 series (Piano Lessons, Piano Solos, Piano Theory Workbook)

Other:

• Pencil
  
• Dry marker

Spring recital: April 24 from 6:00–6:30 p.m.

Fall recital: TBD

Tuition

• $200 per semester (12 weeks; 45-min. sessions)
  

Come join an ensemble where guitarists can further their skills and perform together! Collaborate with others at different ability levels while playing a variety of musical genres.

Instructor: Glen Larson

Eligibility

Guitarists with at least one semester of lesson experience and a working knowledge of first position, note reading, rhythm, and chords. Adults welcome!

Schedule

• Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m., Instrumental Room F1360 (basement of Totino Fine Arts Center)
• Meets for 6 rehearsals each semester
• Spring rehearsal dates: March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25

Ensemble Performances

• May 1, Academy Ensemble Concert, Nazareth Chapel

Tuition

• $80 per semester (6 weeks, 60-min. rehearsals)

Eligibility

Students ages 3-6 develop a love for music and learning in a group class setting through exposure to a variety of musical instruments, rhythmic and pitch techniques, singing, playing musical games, learning about composers and a wide variety of music, while having lots and lots of fun!

This class is for students who may be too young for private instrument instruction or prefer learning more general musical knowledge before choosing and studying a specific instrument.

Instructor: Lily Christensen

Schedule

• Spring classes: January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13, April 3, 10, 17, 24

Tuition

• $120 per semester (12 weeks; 30-min rehearsals)

ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS FOR SPRING!

The Vivace Voices Choir repertoire spans a variety of styles and languages, secular and sacred. Vocal technique, theory, sight-singing, and ear-training skills will be incorporated in rehearsals. Music will be unison and/or two-to four-part singing for treble and/or mixed voices.

Instructor: Melody Johnson

Eligibility

Students ages 10–17 who love to sing and have had some previous musical experience.

Schedule

• Mondays, 6:00–7:00 p.m., Totino Fine Arts Center F2211 (Choir Room)
• Meets for 12 rehearsals each semester
• Spring dates: January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24

Performances

• Eaglecrest: April 29, 10:30 a.m.
• Spring Ensemble Concert: May 1, 7:00 p.m., Nazareth Chapel

Auditions

All new students must schedule a 10-minute voice placement audition. Students should come prepared to sing a song a capella; the director will also have each student do some vocal exercises and sight reading.

Auditions will be held Saturday, September 10 from 10:00 am–12:00 pm. Please contact the Academy at 651-631-5108 or email academymusic@unwsp.edu to schedule your audition.

Tuition

• $150 per semester (12 weeks; 60-min rehearsals)

Develop your technique, learn new pieces, and perform with others in a fun, collaborative environment. Violin Group is offered to beginning and advanced students currently enrolled in private violin lessons, whether with us or another private teacher.

Instructors: Brittany Quinn

Eligibility

Beginning Violin Group will be for beginners through Suzuki Book 1 level or equivalent. As a new student, you may enroll in your first violin lessons and group class simultaneously. Minimum age: 4 years

Must be enrolled in private lessons.

Schedule

Violin Group: Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Nazareth Hall N3326

• Spring dates: January 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25

Performance

• TBD

Tuition

• $170 per semester (12 weeks; 60-min sessions)

The UNW Academy of Music Worship Choir exists to provide opportunities for community singers and students to experience meaningful worship and lead others in glorifying God together through song.

The Worship Choir meets to rehearse, fellowship, and present multiple worship concerts and events held at churches around the Twin Cities area and on the University of Northwestern campus.

Instructor: Ben Wagner

Eligibility

Adults only!

Schedule

• TBA

Performances

• TBD

Tuition

• $100 per semester (12 weeks; 90-min sessions)
  

Emphasis

The UNW Academy of Music Worship Orchestra exists to provide opportunities for community musicians and students to experience heartfelt worship and pursue the glorification of God together through music.

The Worship Orchestra meets to rehearse, fellowship and present multiple worship concerts and events held at churches around the Twin Cities area and on the University of Northwestern campus.

Instructor: Ben Wagner

Eligibility

Adults only!

Schedule

• TBA

Performances

• TBD

Tuition

• $100 per semester (12 weeks; 90-min sessions)