Participatory Classes

The Armstrong Community Music School has a one-time $25 registration fee per family.  This charge covers all of our programs and is valid for an entire household.

Suzuki Violin Program

ACMS' Suzuki violin program is now entering its second year. Interested students can begin violin at age 3.

The Suzuki approach to music education, more appropriately called "Talent Education," provides a wealth of musical experiences for beginners of all ages. More than forty years ago, Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach.

Parents provide essential support by creating a conducive environment, facilitating a daily routine of careful but fun practice, and attending private and group lessons, as well as solo and group performances.

To get started in the ACMS Suzuki Program, parents attend special classes that will lead to their child's continuous success. It is documented that students of any age who begin lessons after the parent has completed a parents course have better chances for immediate and long-term success (and more fun!) because the parents and teacher have built consensus on method, approach, expectations, commitment and dedication. Parents will learn basic skills on their own instruments while truly experiencing and understanding what their children will be asked to learn. Upon completion of the parent class, students begin once-weekly 30-minute private lessons as well as weekly group lessons.

Parent Class

Pre-requisite: Instructor approval.  Interested parents must speak with the instructor regarding class requirements.

For more information about the program and to talk to an instructor,

please call 474-2331.

Students: Private lessons are to be paid for in advance on a monthly basis in accordance with ACMS private instruction policies, at the rate of $20 per half-hour lesson.  Weekly Group classes are also required and must be paid for in full at the beginning of each semester.

Group classes for continuing students are as follows:

Materials: Students must provide their own instruments, required texts for the parent class, and accessories as needed. The instructor will provide full details to interested parties.

Studio Voice Class

For classical voice students of ACMS, these sessions will be presented in a Masterclass format, with students preparing and performing pieces for the class and receiving constructive critiques and instructions from faculty.