CIFA Course Offerings
PRIVATE LESSONS—MUSIC
Weekly private instruction (10 weeks per trimester)
Regular weekly private instruction is offered in 30-, 45-, and 60-minute increments in the various disciplines represented by our faculty. Registration is made for each ten-week trimester. Fees are slightly higher for instruction with WCU/CIFA artist-faculty.
Beginning piano students with some prior experience may select private lessons only or participate in the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program beginning group class. (Please note: an informal placement audition is required).
Teacher Assignments
Once your registration form has been reviewed, you will be contacted for the purpose of arranging lessons with one of our faculty members. In order to assure an optimal fit between instructor and student, a simple audition and discussion of your options in private study may be necessary. Whenever possible, teacher preferences will be honored. Please refer to the CIFA faculty listing in making your preference decision.
WCU/CIFA Artist-Faculty*
| PIANO: |
Dr. Ellen Price Elder, Dr. Howard Keever |
| VOICE: |
Josephine D’Arpa, Dr. Rudy Gatlin, Dr. Don Odom,
Dr. Connie Roberts, Dr. Gene Winters |
| ORGAN: |
Kathy Vail |
| THEORY/COMPOSITION: |
Dr. Howard Keever |
LESSON FEES: 1 hour– $375.00; 45 minutes – $295.00; 30 minutes – $210.00
CIFA Faculty†
| PIANO: |
Mary Chung |
| WOODWINDS: |
Wes Cameron |
| BRASS: |
Wes Cameron |
| VOICE: |
Sarah Mabary |
| GUITAR: |
Trevor Hunt |
| VIOLIN: |
Nathan Lambert |
LESSON FEES: 1 hour– $345.00; 45 minutes – $270.00; 30 minutes – $190.00
CIFA Student Faculty+
| PIANO: |
Katie Boyer, Pamela Finch, Tae-Young Hong |
| VOICE: |
Natalie Ferrand, Stephen Ferrand, Jamie Hatcher |
| GUITAR: |
Ashley Antie, Stephen Ferrand |
LESSON FEES: 1 hour– $270.00; 45 minutes – $210.00; 30 minutes – $150.00
*WCU/CIFA artist-faculty—Performing artist, terminal degree or equivalent professional experience, full-time faculty member at WCU, ample teaching experience
†CIFA faculty—Highly qualified instructors/performers. Masters degree.
+Student faculty—WCU undergraduate music majors; Piano Pedagogy Laboratory group class interns
GROUP CLASSES—MUSIC
| PIANO LAB PROGRAM |
New Beginning Group Piano Class for Children (ages 5-8)
Dr. Ellen Price Elder, Instructor
Meets Tuesdays/Fridays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., beginning in the fall
*An informal audition is required for placement in the group. |
Group and private keyboard instruction for children, which introduces and reinforces musical concepts. Classes provide instruction in technique skills at the keyboard, sight-reading, theory, and ear training. Games and other creative and improvisational activities help to provide an outlet to make learning fun for the children.
Group classes foster a musical community among the students. They have numerous opportunities not only to play for one another, but to also play together as a class ensemble. These are experiences that they remember for a lifetime.
1st Trimester – 10 weeks – Two (2) Weekly 1 Hour Group Classes with Dr. Elder $375.00 + $30.00 annual registration fee = $405.00 + materials (available for purchase at Wolfe Gang Music Co.). These materials will be used for the entire 30-week session.
2nd Trimester – 10 weeks -- During the winter trimester, one of the group classes is replaced with a 30-minute private lesson.* Instructor rates and trimester fees vary, and are outlined below.
WCU/CIFA Artist Faculty
| $210.00 |
One (1) 1 Hour Group Class with Dr. Elder |
| $210.00 |
One (1) 30-minute Private Lesson |
| $420.00 |
|
CIFA Faculty
| $210.00 |
One (1) 1 Hour Group Class with Dr. Elder |
| $190.00 |
One (1) 30-minute Private Lesson |
| $400.00 |
|
CIFA Student Faculty
| $210.00 |
One (1) 1 Hour Group Class with Dr. Elder |
| $150.00 |
One (1) 30-minute Private Lesson |
| $360.00 |
|
3rd Trimester – 10 weeks
Same as 2nd Trimester.
*Private lesson teachers will be assigned by Dr. Elder at the beginning of the winter trimester. Care is taken to ensure an optimal fit between teacher and student. Whenever possible, instructor preferences will be honored.
MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP (MAG) CLASS
Pamela Finch, Instructor
Meets Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., beginning in the fall.
This class is designed for children with some prior musical background. In this class students will discover Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary musical periods. They will learn about famous composers and musicians through stories and recordings. Orchestras and instrument families will come to life through the use of web technology. Dance and movement will enhance the understanding of musical concepts, and the review of musical ideas will reinforce the student’s private lesson study. Musical expression will blossom through composition and improvisational activities. Features of the group experience will be shared during CIFA trimester recitals.
Cost = $150.00 per trimester of instruction. This class will meet during the fall, winter, and spring trimesters (30 weeks total).
USING MUSIC ADAPTIVELY
This program is geared primarily to children with special needs. The instructors include students who are majoring in music therapy at WCU. The musical experiences, in addition to teaching basic musical skills, reinforce skills being taught in school in the areas of language, motor, and pre-academic curricular. Classes are provided either individually or in homogeneous groups of two to three. Supervision is provided by a registered or board certified music therapist.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the year there are numerous opportunities to perform. At the discretion of the instructor, students are encouraged to participate actively in CIFA recitals, HMTL (Hattiesburg Music Teachers League) recitals, and the various festivals and competitive events in the southern Mississippi region and beyond. For those events with sponsorship outside the CIFA, participation fees normally apply.
CIFA student recitals
At the end of each trimester, CIFA will hold student recitals. Please refer to the CIFA Academic Calendar for details.
CIFA scholarship auditions
Talent/need-based scholarship auditions for current CIFA students were held Sunday, May 23, 2010 in the Lucile Parker Art Gallery. Scholarship information and an application form were mailed to current CIFA students.
Faculty/guest artist recitals
Attendance at evening performances on the WCU concert series is strongly encouraged. A CIFA Events Calendar will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.