Download Spring Class Schedule in Adobe pdf format

Class schedule
Spring Session begins April 12
Summer Session begins June 21
Fall Session begins Sept 20
ALL CLASSES ARE 6 90 MINUTE SESSIONS AND COST $110 (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED).

Beginning Didgeridoo Workshop
With Steve Sklar
This class will introduce participants to the fundamentals of playing this ancient Australian aboriginal instrument. Subjects covered will include the basic drone, animal sounds, circular breathing, and more. Bring your own instrument if you have one. There is a $1 material fee for a practice didg that you can keep. Multi-instrumentalist, throat singer, and sound healer Steve Sklar is best known locally for his work with Little Green Men, Big Sky, and the Overtone Orchestra. He has performed and given workshops around the world in the U.S., Taiwan, and Finland. Visit him online at www.khoomei.com and www.youtube.com/throatsinger.
Saturday, June 7 3-5 p.m.
$30

Introduction to Balkan Folk Music - Nickolai Kolarov
Explore Balkan (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Romanian and Gypsy) rhythms and melodies, including regular and irregular meters, two-part singing, and traditional and oriental scales. Students will develop an appreciation for the rich and varied tradition of Balkan music, learn folk songs and dances and enhance their understanding of the culture of the region. Familiarity with music notation is helpful but not required.
Monday or Wednesday evenings, 7-8:30 pm
April 14-May 19 or April 16-May 21

Introduction to African Guitar - Siama Matuzungidi
This class will explore rhythmic patterns and guitar riffs common to Soukous and High Life styles of music. Soukous is an up tempo music also called African Rumba, similar to Soca and Calypso from the Caribbean. High Life is a West African music style. Teacher demonstrations, listening to recordings, some history and discussions of popular African musicians in this style are elements of the class. Familiarity with basic chords and notes will be helpful
to students.
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm
April 16-May 21

Latin American Hand Drumming - Kale Olson-Reed
Hand-drumming is a great way to release the music in you and experience the rush of playing music in a group.You don’t need previous musical experience to participate in this class for beginning to intermediate levels. We’ll explore traditional rhythms from Africa to Latin America and rhythms created on the spot in a drum jam style.You will be introduced to hand drum technique as it applies to these traditional rhythms. Some congas or djembe will be provided; you are encouraged to bring your own drum.
Sunday afternoons or Thursday evenings,TBD
April 13-May 18 or April 17-May 22

Building Vocal Confidence: Performance Basics - Bobbi Miller
Love to sing, but afraid to do it in public? Learn all the basics of good vocal technique, increase your power and range, and find “your own voice”. The class will focus on vocal exercises, proper body alignment and breath control. There will be a performance for your peers.
Wed., 7:30-9 pm
April 16-May 21

Beginning Guitar - Paul Storms
While geared towards the beginner, this fun class often proves to be beneficial for students who have some experience. Learn the basics, scales, chords, accompaniment styles and play simple solos. Use of the pick and fingerpicking styles are also covered.
Saturdays, 9-10:30 am
April 12-May 17

Introduction to Guitar - Dale Dahlquist
You will learn the most useful guitar chords in several common keys, great starter flatpicking and fingerpicking patterns, and a few simple tunes – including rhythm, melody, and simple lead parts. Add in basic music theory you can apply immediately, proper technique, and helpful hints throughout – you’ll be well on your way! For beginners looking for a supportive learning environment.
Wednesdays 6:30-8 pm
April 16-May 21

Music Theory for the Guitar Level I and II - Dale Dahlquist
An opportunity for the serious beginner or the accomplished musician to understand the structure of chords and how to index and play each in several forms on the guitar. Learn the relationship of chords in a progression and how they resolve to and from each other through analysis of popular songs. Information on songwriting, improvising, pulling tunes from recordings and playing with other musicians also taught. Faster and easier than any theory book.
Level I:
Includes common scale types and chord types with fingerings (major, minor, suspended, 6th, 7th, add 9, major 7th, power chords). Prerequisite: Introduction to Guitar, equivalent private instruction or a ravishing curiosity.
Wednesdays 8-9:30 pm
April 16-May 21
Level II:
Includes more sophisticated songs and chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths, augmented, diminished, altered). Prerequisite: Music Theory for Guitar Level I, equivalent private instruction or consent of instructor.
Thursdays 8-9:30 pm
April 17-May 22

Jazz Improvisation - Paul Renz
This course will include the study and application of the following improvisation techniques: listening, melodic embellishment, scales, arpeggios, phrasing, cliches, chromaticism and the development of personal style. Students will improvise over simple music forms, chord vamps and 12 bar blues and work toward soloing in jazz standards.
Saturdays, Time TBD
Ongoing

Jazz Theory - Paul Renz
Explore the harmonic structure of 12 bar blues progressions and standard song form.We will examine the connection between jazz harmony and improvisation techniques such as arpeggios, chord scales, guide tone lines and melodic embellishment. Arranging and composition techniques will be covered as well as jazz rhythms, notation and terminology.
Saturdays, Time TBD
April 12-May 17

The Joy of Sight Singing - Paul Renz
Improve your aural skills and build sight-reading chops. Includes melodic and rhythmic dictation, identification of intervals and triads, basic rhythms, melodic patterns, common cadences and lots of sight-singing.You don't need a "good" voice to enroll. Students will be required to pay for some materials.
Saturdays, Time TBD
April 12-May 17

Jazz History and Listening - Stefan Kac
Explore the history of recorded jazz music from its origins through the present day. Listening will be interspersed with discussion of relevant historical and technical topics.
Wednesday evenings,Time TBD
April 16-May 21
Tuition: $145 (12 hrs- 8 x 1.5 hour sessions)

Sight Reading for Guitars - Paul Renz
Let's improve the sight reading reputation of guitar players! This course is a sight reading clinic for any number of guitarists. Participants will be required to purchase some sight reading materials. Additional music, including ensemble charts, will be provided by the instructor. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a skill that will serve you well, whether you wish to be a studio guitarist (commercial recording), compose your own music or be a better ensemble player.
Saturdays, Time TBD
April 12- May 17

All About Brass - Stefan Kac
Are you a beginning or intermediate brass player? Or maybe you’ve never played a brass instrument but always wanted to try? In this class, you will learn all about the trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium and tuba through informative lectures and fun group activities. All ages and ability levels welcome. Instruments will be provided for in-class activities only. Although it is ideal for each student to have their own instrument, it is not a requirement.
Wednesday evenings, Time TBD
April 16-May 21
Tuition: $80 (6 hrs)

FOUR WAYS TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES:
 • Call 612.333.6651 and pay by VISA or Mastercard
 • Send in a check with your name, phone number, the class name, and class dates/times
 • E-mail us at info@westbankmusic.org with the same information and your credit card number
 • Register in person during our office hours (3:30pm - 7:30pm Monday - Thursday and 9am - 1pm Saturday)

The Warren Park Scholarship
Established in honor of West Bank School of Music founder, Warren Park, this new scholarship will help students demonstrating financial need pursue their passion for music. The scholarship will provide between 10-40% off each session’s tuition and will be granted as funds allow.
If you’re interested in applying, call 612-333-6651, or stop by the office. Application deadline for winter session: Nov 1, 2007

1st Warren Park Scholarship Awarded!
We are proud to announce Robel Tedros as the first recipient of the Warren Park Scholarship! Robel is a studying piano with Christina Henry. Congratulations Robel!