Children’s Chorale – Workshop
Jackson Children’s Chorale is an opportunity for young people to learn basic principles of vocal production and to be introduced to quality choral literature. This group is co-sponsored by Jackson Chorale.
- Ages: 9-14
- Price: $160
- Session days: July 31-August 3
- Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
- Instructor: Jackie Livesay & Nichole Thompson
- Accompanist: Jana Graves
Jackie Livesay, Instructor
Jackie Livesay holds a Bachelor of Music degree at Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. Both degrees are in Church Music with Organ as the principle instrument. She also obtained a Master of Arts in Education degree from Spring Arbor University.
Livesay currently is the Minister of Children’s Music and Organist at First United Methodist Church, Jackson, as well as serving as Orff Music Director at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson. She has directed Jackson Chorale Children’s Choir for the past five years.
Ms. Livesay is a retired Jackson Public Schools elementary music educator. She received the JPS Outstanding Elementary Educator Award in 2001. In addition to public school teaching and church music ministries, she has also taught pre-school music, college classes, and private organ and piano lessons.
Songwriting – Workshop
The goal of this 3-day workshop is to build a student’s confidence in their songwriting skills and processes as well as leave the workshop with their own original song. Beginning musicians are welcome, however having some music experience is encouraged. Students will learn the basics of songwriting and will be guided as they create their own song. Pianos will be provided. Bringing your own portable instrument is welcome, but not required.
- Ages: 14+
- Price: $72
- Session days: June 19-21
- Time: 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
- Instructor: Nichole Thompson & Steve Trosin
High School Brass Ensemble – Workshop
Brass players unite – calling any and all French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Trumpet, and Tuba students. This class is for middle school and high school-aged students to experience the fun of playing together in small brass ensembles.
- Ages: 12-18
- Price: $160
- Session days: July 24-27
- Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
- Instructor: Bob Woodard & Jasmine Hass
Rock Camp – Workshop
For intermediate and advanced guitar, bass, percussion, and vocal students. Do you have dreams of being a rock star playing to sold out arenas? Get a taste of the rock star life by forming your own band and learning to play together. This fun workshop will cumulate in a performance under the lights at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. Don’t forget about us when you hit the big time!
- Ages: 12-18
- Price: $300
- Session days: June 26-30
- Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
- Instructor: Scott Moilanen, Mike Crupi, & Steve Tucker
Beginner Guitar – 5 Week Class
Are you interested in jamming to your favorite country or rock artist? How about some solos with Blues legends? Or would you like to accompany other musicians in your family? Join our group beginner guitar classes to learn how to play and learn about guitar history and styles. We’ll work on strumming patterns, fingerpicking, basic open chords, how to read tabs and music, how to tune your instrument, how to improvise and last but not least we will learn to play popular songs in different genres! No experience required! For students aged 14 to 100! This 8 week course is perfect for those who have never played or looking to master the basics.
- Ages: 12+
- Price: $60
- Start date: July 13
- End date: August 10
- Thursdays 2:00-3:00 pm
- Instructor: Onur Alakavuklar
Intermediate Guitar – 5 Week Class
Are you interested in playing more than open chords on guitar and strumming simple rhythms? Join our intermediate guitar class to improve your finesse on guitar techniques, learn more about guitar styles and history of the guitar in various genres. In this course, we will work on legendary guitar solos, how to internalize and play complex-compound rhythms, and last but not least play as an ensemble. Following the Beginner Guitar Class, we will learn power chords and how to move around the fretboard smoothly, learn the basic Major and Minor bar chord shapes and reading staff notation over the first position, improvising over the pentatonic scale and more! Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of the fretboard and fundamental open chords (Am, C, G, D), common time signatures and tab reading.
- Ages: 12+
- Price: $60
- Start date: July 13
- End date: August 10
- Thursdays 3:00-4:00 pm
- Instructor: Onur Alakavuklar
Ukulele Ensemble – 5 Week Class
No experience required! We’ll work on strumming patterns, fingerpicking, basic open chords, how to read tabs and music, how to tune your instrument, how to improvise and last but not least we will learn to play popular songs in different genres! For students aged 14 to 100! This 5 week course is perfect for those who have never played or are looking to master the basics. Students will be able to use CMS ukuleles during their class – no instrument required.
- Ages: 12+
- Price: $60
- Start date: July 13
- End date: August 10
- Thursdays 4:00-5:00 pm
- Instructor: Onur Alakavuklar
Advanced Strings – Workshop
This class is for advanced students who have had at least 2 years of strings instruction and can read music. We will explore music written for small ensembles and improve our skills to collaborate in a more intimate setting.
22/23 String Team students will receive an automatic 50% discount at registration.
- Ages: 12-18
- Price: $200
- Session days: July 24-27
- Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
- Instructor: Shaun Huang & Jed Fritzemeier
Jed Fritzemeier, Instructor
Since 2019, Jed has been the Director of the Community Music School and Director of Music Education for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. A performing bassist, Jed plays with the orchestra in addition to free-lancing throughout the area. He was a public school orchestra teacher for 34 years finishing his career for the Chelsea School District, Chelsea, Mi. Jed was Teacher of the Year for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and the Michigan American String Teachers Association in 2008. In addition to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, his performance credits include the Michigan Opera Theater, Toledo Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Racine Symphony, Racine, Wisconsin, South Dakota Symphony, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and various festival orchestras, jazz ensembles, rock bands, polka bands since he was 15 years old.
Fiddle Camp – Workshop
This class is for anyone who has had at least 1 year of string instruction. Students must be able to read music. Music for this class will consist of all types of folk music such as American Fiddle Tunes, Irish and Scottish Airs, Jigs and Reels, Nordic Roots and anything else from the Folk music traditions. It’s all about FUN!
22/23 String Team students will receive an automatic 50% discount at registration.
- Ages: 10-18
- Price: $200
- Session dates: July 10-13
- Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
- Instructors: Matt Polson, Paul Moodie, & Jed Fritzemeier
Jed Fritzemeier, Instructor
Since 2019, Jed has been the Director of the Community Music School and Director of Music Education for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. A performing bassist, Jed plays with the orchestra in addition to free-lancing throughout the area. He was a public school orchestra teacher for 34 years finishing his career for the Chelsea School District, Chelsea, Mi. Jed was Teacher of the Year for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and the Michigan American String Teachers Association in 2008. In addition to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, his performance credits include the Michigan Opera Theater, Toledo Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Racine Symphony, Racine, Wisconsin, South Dakota Symphony, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and various festival orchestras, jazz ensembles, rock bands, polka bands since he was 15 years old.
Summer Strings – Workshop
This class is designed to improve music reading skills and violin technique. This class is for anyone who has had at least 1 year of string instruction. Students must be able to read music.
22/23 String Team students will receive an automatic 50% discount at registration.
- Ages: 10-14
- Price: $200
- Session dates: June 26-29
- Time: 9:30 am-12:00 pm
- Instructors: Mark Mathias & Matt Polson
Mark Mathias, Instructor
Mark Mathias, double bass, studied with Lawrence Hurst at the University of Michigan obtaining a Bachelor of Music Performance degree in 1974. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and has taught violin, viola, violincello, double bass, and music technology in the Jackson Public Schools for over 20 years. He attended the Interlochen Arts Academy and, in addition to membership in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra for 23 years, has performed with the Flint Symphony, Lansing Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony.
Music Theory – Workshop
A comprehensive introductory course on Music Theory to better understand and describe the phenomena heard in tonal music. This class will outline fundamental concepts musicians can utilize to better perform, analyze, and create music. Throughout the course, students will learn the essential aspects of harmony, melody, rhythm and form through the study of basic notation, scales, key signatures, time signatures, triads, and cadences. This course is perfect for students considering a career in music, or for younger musicians who want to better understand the music they work on in their middle or high school ensembles.
- Ages: 12-18
- Price: $120
- Session days: July 24-27
- Time: 2:30 pm-5:00 pm
- Instructors: Chris Hass