Programs

 

Making the Difference:

DRAMA, ART, DANCE, and MEDIA fused with MUSIC define the New Music School nmsCREATIVE experience. At NMS, students learn how to master their instrument and become a whole artist.

Learning to be an artist begins with selecting the right private instructor. Our faculty is unparalleled and our Advisory Board is made up of some of the world's most renowned musicians.

Through the many diverse programs offered at New Music School, students are exposed to advanced training in repertoire, theory, solfege, orchestral excerpts, and many more career building and informative programs. In addition, NMS does not put a limit on learning. Private instruction and other courses are offered to students of all ages and abilities whether you are just beginning, preparing for college auditions, or want to further your life-long appreciation for music. Select the appropriate program below for more information.

 

Instruction Levels:

Four fun and exciting program options are available to students at NMS; Just Beginning, Young Artist, College Preparatory and Orchestral Studies. All students participating in private lessons follow a curriculum created specifically for their instrument. After initial consultations with parents and private lessons have begun, faculty will place students in appropriate program levels.

Private lessons are offered for 36 weeks during the academic calendar. All lessons may be tailored to a student's need and availability. Programs are made affordable to all. Instruction occurs in the home and at hubs in surrounding suburbs.

Just Beginning

Do you want to become a musician? Have you just started playing a musical instrument and want further study? Sign up for the NMS Just Beginning Program and learn the basics to play an instrument. Students will be introduced to technique fundamentals and solo repertoire.

Program components include:

Private Lesson Program includes:

  • Weekly Private Lesson
  • Seasonal Group Recitals
  • Group Classes

Other components

  • nmsCREATIVE Seminar
  • Meeting with Performance Artists

Encouraged components

  • Concert attendance: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, The Joffrey Ballet, Goodman Theatre or Other Cultural Event

Academic Year Tuition

  • 30 Minute Lessons- $1500
  • 45 Minute Lessons- $2200

Young Artist

The Young Artist Program is designed for students to learn fundamentals and hone their technique. This program was built to create foundation. In the Young Artist Program students will master all scales, etudes, and student repertoire. Within this program there are three division levels that act as a ladder for students to climb. These divisions allow practice to be goal oriented and focused.

Program components include:

Private Lesson Program includes

  • Weekly Private Lesson or Private Chamber Session
  • Seasonal Group Recitals
  • Advisory Board Master Classes
  • Faculty Master Classes

Other components

  • nmsCREATIVE Seminar
  • Meeting with Performance Artists

Encouraged components

  • Concert attendance:Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, The Joffrey Ballet, Goodman Theatre or Other Cultural Event

Academic Year Tuition

  • Tuition available upon request

College Preparatory

The College Preparatory Department is built for students that show the necessary dedication and desire to make music on a high level. This program is geared towards advanced training. Studies will include solo repertoire, mastery of etudes, and sight-reading. Students also begin preparation for college entrance auditions and interviews. The College Preparatory program is by recommendation and audition only.

Program components include:

Private Lesson Program includes

  • Weekly Private Lesson or Private Chamber Session
  • Studio Recital
  • Joint and/or Solo Recital
  • Advisory Board Master Classes
  • Studio Classes

Other components

  • nmsCREATIVE Seminar
  • Meeting with Performance Artists
  • Attendance at Three Cultural Events

Optional components

  • Theory Instruction
  • Composition Class
  • Solfege (Ear-Training and Sight-Singing) Courses

Academic Year Tuition

  • Tuition available upon request

Orchestral Studies

Any student preparing for auditions for their school orchestra or wind ensemble, youth orchestra, summer festival, or collegiate program is encouraged to join the NMS Orchestral Studies Program.This program focuses on audition practices, orchestral and chamber excerpts, concerto repertoire and sight-reading. Students work together to form orchestral sections and audition panels in group classes. Faculty and Advisory Board members work closely with students in mock audition settings.

Program components include:

Private Lesson Program includes

  • 14 Week Fall and/or Spring Session
  • Weekly or Bi-weekly Individual Lesson (in addition to their private instrumental lesson)
  • Bi-weekly Group Lesson (subject to enrollment)
  • Mock Auditions
  • Advisory Board Master Classes

Other components

  • Meeting with Conductors

Academic Year Tuition

  • $630 per session

Defining nmsCREATIVE

nmsCREATIVE is an artistic philosophy and expressive pedagogy. It is an open resource of ideas in which all artistic disciplines are encouraged to participate. nmsCREATIVE redefines how artists communicate and collaborate. Having knowledge in how a visual artist uses shadow, how a dancer manipulates a gesture, and how an actor accesses emotion heightens a musician's craft. Foundationally, nmsCREATIVE promotes building new connections. How does an artist connect with an audience, with their craft, with their history, with themselves? This self discovery roots the nmsCREATIVE experience.

Our Instruments:

At New Music School, we provide private instruction for all listed instruments. Each individual instrument has specific goals and objectives for students developed by the NMS Advisory Board and Faculty Chairs. Those statements are presented here.

Piano

The piano department at NMS aims to present repertoire and technique in new directions. From the first day of lessons, an emphasis is placed on rhythm, ear training, and note reading whether through classical, jazz, and/or popular music. Students continue through the piano curriculum learning significant repertoire, all the while addressing the fundamentals necessary for all levels of performance in the future. Training occurs at all ages in theory, ear training, sight singing, technique, and history.

Piano students are exposed to artist teachers through master classes with internationally known pianists along with the opportunity to attend other instructional master classes. Additionally, piano students at NMS learn how the piano relates to all the fine arts by working with renowned professional vocalists, dancers, artists, and actors.

Piano instruction is offered in the classical, jazz, and popular genres.

Flute

The Flute Department places a strong emphasis on the logical development of a solid technique. The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation through technical studies and tone development introducing new techniques in a progressive order. This solid base will enable the student to learn standard repertoire with ease and grace while growing musically. Repertoire will include works from Baroque through Modern music as well as covereing many of the major orchestral excerpts.

Oboe-English Horn

More information to come.

Clarinet

The Clarinet Department aims to provide clarinet instruction and musical training reaching for the highest professional standard. At NMS, we tailor private instruction to meet the needs of each individual student, recognizing that each student has a unique learning style and different strengths and challenges. We encourage the personal growth of each student and provide them with the optimum private lesson experience.

Bassoon

More information to come.

Saxophone 

The Saxophone Department centers on mastering the vast technical capabilities of the instrument while using the eclectic repertoire to develop a strong understanding of disparate musical styles. We focus on versatility, specifically in the ability to adapt to a variety of performance settings in both classical and popular genres. Our curriculum also encourages students to work with the various members of the saxophone family, promoting flexibility and developing universally applicable technique through minor, yet necessary, modifications. Through working with our curriculum, our students not only learn to master the music of the past, but they are prepared to perfect the music of future. 

Horn

More information to come.

Trumpet

More information to come.

Trombone

More information to come.

Tuba

More information to come.

Percussion

The Percussion Department combines all aspects of Percussion into a comprehensive and manageable scheme of practice and study. We strive to verse all Percussion students in western and non-western approaches working both in the classical and popular genres. This curriculum focuses on tying in all areas of percussion, maximizing a student's ability to learn new repertoire and techniques. Students will learn a few core techniques and how to adapt them to new instruments. This interconnectivity of techniques is crucial to the Percussionist who must master an almost infinite number of instruments.

Strings

Creative Director, Sharon Tenhundfeld, will introduce violin, viola, cello, and double bass to New Music School Fall 2009. In preparation for the upcoming year, Ms. Tenhundfeld will conduct a search for the highest quality string faculty. These educators will form a community in order to best shape the growth of artistry in each NMS string student. Their teachings will focus on the enjoyment of music while supporting the studies of technique, sound production, rhythm, and stage presence. In addition, a focus of body awareness and injury prevention are stressed so that each student utilizes their whole body and plays to their full ability.

NMS anticipates creating programs that will focus on the student as an individual, group player, and an appreciator of music.   

If interested in becoming a NMS string student please register early!