|
Reprinted from the August 17, 2003 Telegram
and Gazette
By Anna L. Griffin
LEOMINSTER -- In just one year, the Community Music School of Thayer Symphony
Orchestra can boast more than 200 participants. And they're looking for
more. ``We're very pleased with the success the school has enjoyed,''
said Jill Norman Reed, the program director at the school. The school
will hold its second annual open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday,
Aug. 24, at the school, which is on the fourth floor of the Woodblock
Building, 14 Monument Square. The event is free and open to the public.
Tours will be given of the school by the parents of those taking lessons
at the school. Instructors will be present to answer questions and to
give ``mini'' music lessons. There will be a ``meet the maestro'' program,
in which those attending will be able to meet and ask questions of Toshimasa
Francis Wada, the artistic director of the Thayer Symphony Orchestra,
which also has its headquarters there. The orchestra holds many different
programs during the year and information about all of the programs they
offer will also be available at this time. Mrs. Reed said many different
classes are available, including lessons in violin, viola, cello, harp,
guitar, folk banjo, mandolin, flute, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, piano,
and keyboard. ``We're also thinking about starting an harmonica chorus,
if anyone is interested in that,'' Mrs. Reed said. There are also voice
classes and voice and piano classes available. The school has a jazz ensemble,
woodwind quintet and woodwind quartet. There are music theory classes
avail able for children ages 6 through 9 and music therapy classes available.
Private and group lessons are offered. In addition, there are classes
such as ``Music Together,'' a program for parents and their children,
``Kids Chorus'' and ``MiniZicians,'' a program to encourage young children
to explore the playing of music. The school, opened one year ago, was
opened to meet the needs of children and adults of all ages. Mrs. Reed
said the age of those attending programs at the school range from 6 months
to 76 years. The programs offered for the 15-week fall semester at the
school will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Registration and information forms
will be available at the open house, or, those who would like to learn
more about the school may do so by calling the school at (978) 466-8822
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting the Web
site www.thayersymphony.org.
|