MIDDLE SCHOOL CONSERVATORY
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Play Production Workshop
Want to be a star? This class is a great way to start. Intended for serious acting students who wish to take their skills to the next level, this class will move beyond the basics of characterizations and acting and create a full production. Through the course of rehearsals, students will learn about scene work and creating a believable character, using the text and concepts of a real play. The class will culminate in a one-act performance for invited friends and family.
- Instructor: Ashley Bugg-Brown
- Cost: $100 for 10 classes
- Time: Thursdays 3:45-5:00 p.m.
- Location: Drama Room
Dance Exploration Workshop
Our growing Dance program seeks to give students tools for physical self-expression through the discipline of dance. Six-week workshop sessions will be led by Tamara Prince-Parrish, choreographer and teaching artist. Each workshop is suitable for beginning to advanced dancers and will incorporate a wide range of disciplines including ballet, modern, jazz and African styles. Classes will focus on physical conditioning and creative expression—perfect for everyone from athletes to actors!
- Instructor: Tamara Prince-Parrish
- Cost: $100 for 6 classes
- Time: Wednesdays 3:45-4:45 p.m.
- Location: TBA
- Attire: Dancewear or comfortable clothing, i.e. t-shirts, tank tops, leggings, shorts, etc. Please no jeans or baggy/loose clothing. Students are encouraged to wear leather dance shoes.
Nothing But Treble – Voice Class for Young Women
Designed for the beginning to intermediate voice student, this group lesson focuses specifically on the middle school female voice. Students will learn about breath support, projection and confident singing in a supportive and encouraging environment. Everyone is welcome, whether you want to be a pop star, sing on Broadway or just improve your skills. We meet in in the mornings, so come start your day singing!
- Instructor: Christina Paz/Cynthia Romoff
- Cost: $240 per semester for 12 classes
- Time: Thursdays 7:30-8:25am
- Location: Chorus Room
Voice Club: MEN ONLY (Grade 7 and Above)
The first rule of Voice Club, you do not talk about Voice Club. Second rule, you DO NOT talk about Voice Club. This series of four six-week sessions is open to all young men with changed voices and will be led after-hours by baritone Matthew Hayner. If you’ve ever wished you could sing, now is the time to try it out in a completely female-free zone. Sign up for one session or the whole year, there is no performance required and beginners are welcome.
- Instructor: Matthew Hayner
- Cost: $100 per session for 6 classes
- Time: Wednesday 5:00-6:00 pm
- Location: Chorus Room
Groove Theory Ensemble (Grades 6-8)
Get into the groove! Aspiring musicians are invited to take part in contemporary music ensemble this fall led by Neal Bowen, recording artist and bassist for the Grizzlies house band. Get a taste of what it’s like to be a musician and an artist, training in music you want to play. Already have a band with friends? Great. Enrolled in private lessons? Even better! Ensemble training is the outlet for putting into practice all that you’ve learned.
Fall semester will focus primarily on listening to lots of music, learning to hear what you’ve been missing, and developing a setlist, press kit, rehearsal schedule and overall plan for your band. You will explore how to use social media such as Twitter and Kickstarter to each band’s advantage. You will also begin rehearsing in different configurations and working on understanding basic harmony and rhythm, as well as navigating a rhythm chart/lead sheet.
Spring semester we will begin seeking opportunities to serve the community through performance and recording music. Ensembles will perform at the end of the school year and share with the Lausanne community and beyond what they’ve accomplished and how they’ve grown as a band and as musicians.
Placement auditions will be held at the beginning of the year. As numbers permit, students will be placed in small ensembles according to a number of factors including experience, instrumentation, and schedule.
- Instructor: Neal Bowen
- Cost: $175 per semester
- Time: Tuesday 3:45-7:00 (exact rehearsal times assigned following placement audition)
- Location: Band Room
Jazz Band (Grades 6-8)
This year we will introduce Jazz Band in the middle school, led by Memphis jazz icon Johnny Yancey. Come get your swing on in zero hour and learn the fundamentals of jazz theory and performance. The band will perform on the Lausanne Band concerts in November and April. Placement in this ensemble is by instructor permission, registered students will be contacted regarding an audition time.
- Instructor: Johnny Yancey
- Cost: $175 per semester
- Time: Zero Hour (Day TBA)
- Location: Band Room
Drumline (Grade 8 and up)
Eighth grade students are eligible to join the Lausanne Drumline, now in its second year, led by Taylor Clay, veteran drumline guru and leader of the Grizzlies drumline, “The Grizzline”. This group meets year round in zero hour and performs at games and on the Spring Band concert. Placement in this ensemble is by instructor permission, registered students will be contacted regarding an audition time.
- Instructor: Taylor Clay
- Cost: $175 per semester
- Time: Zero Hour (Day TBA)
- Location: Norfleet Gymnasium
Private Lessons
Middle School students may take lessons during zero hour or after the academic day. Evening and Saturday lessons are available by request. All students are encouraged to perform in a formal recital in April, as well as participate in small, studio-based recitals and workshops throughout the year.
Teaching Artist Roster
- Piano: Lora Geteva, Cindy Littlefield, Matthew McClure, Christina Paz, Dr. Kevin Richmond, Dianna Samples
- Violin/Viola: Roxanne Murray Daws
- Cello: TBA
- Guitar: Davy Ray Bennett
- Bass: Neal Bowen
- Voice: James Harr, Matthew Hayner, Christina Paz, Cynthia Romoff
Extended lessons (45 minutes) are available for advanced students with instructor permission. Students are encouraged to compete in local adjudications and honor ensembles when appropriate.
Some instruments may only be available on certain days and during certain times. Scheduling priority is first come, first served.
- Cost:
- $790 for 30 private lessons per year
- $650 for 30 semi-private/group lessons per year
- Location: Conservatory Rooms, Band Room, Chorus Room
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