Piano
Students who study piano should have access to an acoustic piano or, if using an electric piano, a keyboard with weighted keys.
Stringed Instruments
Violins, violas, cellos, and string basses come in different sizes which enable them to be played by young children and adults alike. We recommend that a student is measured for the appropriate sized instrument by a professional. Please contact our office for recommendations of instrument dealers in our area.
Vocal Study
Students who study voice will receive foundational training which includes note reading and general music theory. Vocal styles taught include classical, pop, rock, folk, country, jazz, music theater, and gospel. Private vocal study for young children requires an assessment for readiness.
Guitar
Students who study guitar will learn to read music. Lessons are offered on both acoustic and electric guitar, and students are expected to bring their own instrument to lessons.
Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Instruments
Wind and percussion instruments come in one size which is why it is generally recommended that students delay study until they are big enough to physically handle the instrument (usually 5th grade). We offer instruction on: flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, mallet and battery percussion. Please contact our office for recommendations of dealers in our area from which you can rent an instrument.
Piano Safari Friends
Meet the Piano Safari Friends as your 5-6 year old starts on their piano journey. Piano Safari Friends is intended to prepare students for Piano Safari Level 1. Its aim is to provide young children with rich and enjoyable musical experiences through movement, singing, imitating, improvising, and learning the fundamentals of rhythmic notation and pre-staff reading. Ownership of a piano is required. Book is included.
This class begins in the fall and runs a full school year.
Katherine Fisher, instructor
Mondays, 4:15-5:05 p.m.
Room 540, Glidden Hall
For 5-6 year olds
$275 for spring semester - continuing students only
First class - January 13, 2025
Piano Safari - Level 1
Set off on a musical journey to explore fundamental musical and technical concepts at the piano. Piano Safari is an exciting approach that combines the best of established pedagogical traditions with innovative ideas. Students will be taught the basics of music theory, reading notation, and how to play with excellent technique and musicianship. Ownership of a piano is required. Books are included.
This class begins in the fall and runs a full school year.
Wendy Blackwood, instructor
Schedule TBD
Room 581, Glidden Hall
For 2nd and 3rd graders
$275 for spring semester - continuing students only
KidSing!
Children will learn the FUNdamentals of music through games and play and develop their singing voices in preparation for participation in the Athens Children’s Chorus.
Melanie Horne, instructor
Saturdays, 9:15-10:00 a.m.
Room 561, Glidden Hall
For 1st and 2nd graders
$80 for 8 classes in spring semester
First class - TBD
Smart Start
The positive atmosphere of this class helps foster lifelong connections with music, builds strong parent-child emotional bonds, and develops the foundation for basic cognitive skills including attention, memory, perception, and cognitive flexibility. Through Smart Start’s neuroscience-based curriculum, you and your child will learn about the fundamentals of music by moving your bodies, singing, and playing. In every class session, you will learn multicultural songs and games with particular attention paid to beat, rhythm, and listening skills. You’ll also receive access to the parent portal which includes downloadable activities to try at home, curated articles and content on childhood development, and updates on your child’s growth throughout the course.
Abigail Olson, instructorClasses will meet Friday mornings. Times will be determined by enrollment.
0-12 monthsBegin making lifelong connections with music and developing the foundations for basic cognitive skills through fun parent-child activities.
A care provider accompanies their child for all classes for this course.
1-2 yearsExpand your child's musical skills through movement, and further develop cognitive skills in fun and engaging ways.
A care provider accompanies their child for all classes for this course.
2-3 yearsDevelop your child's musical abilities through more independent activities and expand cognitive skills through creativity and self-awareness.
A care provider accompanies their child for all classes for this course.
3-4 yearsSinging, dancing, playing games - children adore this active, play-based learning environment.
A care provider accompanies each child in the 3-4 year class for the first few sessions only.
$175 for spring semester
Room TBD, Glidden Hall
First classes - the week of January 13, 2025
Athens Youth Chorus
Melanie Horne, director
The Athens Youth Chorus is a performance ensemble which focuses on healthy and expressive singing habits, rehearsal and performance techniques, and music reading skills. The ensemble performs 2- and 3-part songs, partner songs, and canons at various concerts throughout the year. Students learn musical concepts by singing quality music appropriate to the child voice from a variety of periods and a wide range of styles and cultures.
Apprentices - for children in grades 3-5; non-auditioned; meets 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursdays in room 472, Glidden Hall.
Advanced Ensemble - for children in grades 6-9; audition required; meets 7:00-8:15 p.m. on Thursdays in room 472, Glidden Hall.
Tuition is $250 for the 2024-2025 school year.
Cadet Strings
The ACMS Cadet Strings group focuses on developing individual string technique as well as group performance skills. One concert will be presented per semester. Music is provided. Students must provide their own instruments.
This group is for students who have beginning string experience.
Tuesdays, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Room 476, Glidden Hall
Tuition is $75 for the spring semester.
First rehearsal - January 21, 2025
ACMS Community Strings
The ACMS community strings programs were begun in the fall of 2019 and started in partnership with the Athens City Schools and the City of Athens in the fall of 2022. Based on the successful Cadet Strings program at the Athens Community Music School at Ohio University, the community strings program is available at The Plains Intermediate School and Arts/WEST in the 2024-2025 school year.
These programs offers group instruction on orchestral string instruments highlighting a variety of music styles and celebrating the rich string heritage already revered in Appalachia.
Please contact the ACMS office at 740-593-4241 or acms@ohio.edu to receive more information and to register.
Athens Community Jazz Ensemble
Dr. Matt James, director
Join the Athens Community Jazz Ensemble - a band for instrumentalists 19 and up celebrating America's music. Rehearsals will be twice a month on Sundays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Saxophone, trombone, trumpet, guitar, bass, drums, and piano welcome.
Registration must be completed online, and only the $10 registration fee is required per semester.
Not available in spring 2025
Choral Union
Dr. Peter Haley, director
Choral Union is a large, mixed chorus of students, faculty, and townspeople. The ensemble unites annually with the Ohio University Symphony to perform outstanding major choral works each spring. Community members rehearse on Mondays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.
Registration must be completed online, and only the $10 registration fee is required.
First rehearsal - January 13, 2025
Campus Orchestra
Dr. José Rocha, director
The Campus Orchestra is intended for intermediate to advanced orchestral stringed instrument players and is open to qualified members of the community from middle school through adults. Meets on Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Glidden Hall Recital Hall.
University student participants may register for OU credit. Contact Dr. Rocha at rocha@ohio.edu for more information about credit.
Registration must be completed online, and only the $10 registration fee is required.
First rehearsal - January 16, 2025
Camerata Strings
The Camerata Strings is for intermediate and early advanced string players and advances group performance skills required of orchestra musicians as well as introduces members to a mix of classical works and contemporary favorites. One concert will be presented per semester. Music is provided. Students must provide their own instruments.
Tuesdays, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Room 480, Glidden Hall
$75 for spring semester
First rehearsal - January 21, 2025
Southeast Ohio Youth Wind Ensemble
Apply HERE for the SOYWE spring 2025 season.
Audition RequirementsAll requirements should be recorded separately and uploaded to YouTube. YouTube links should be submitted in the Audition Application Form.
Winds/Piano/Upright Bass:
- Record an etude of your choice that showcases your strengths as a musician. Etude should be a minimum of 32 measures long.
- Record the following major scales (Concert Pitch): B-flat Concert, E-flat Concert, A-flat Concert, F Concert, C Concert. Play as many octaves as you are comfortable with.
- Record your chromatic scale. This should showcase the full range of your instrument. Start on the lowest pitch and play to the highest pitch that you are comfortable playing. Pianist should play two octaves.
Percussion:
- Record the following major scales, as well as chromatic scale on xylophone or marimba: B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, F, C. All scales should be two octaves.
- Record a snare etude of your choice. Etude should be a minimum of 32 measures long.
- Record a timpani etude of your choice. Etude should be a minimum of 32 measures long.
Complete the SOYWE Application Form and submit by Tuesday, October 15th by 10:00pm. Results from auditions will be emailed to students by Saturday, November 30th at 10:00 p.m.
The Southeast Ohio Youth Wind Ensemble (SOYWE) seeks to establish itself as one of Ohio’s premier student musical organizations. Following a weekly series of 3-5 rehearsals, the bands will present concert performances on the campus of Ohio University or within the Southeast Ohio community. Students from Appalachian Ohio and West Virginia will audition and be selected to perform with the Southeast Ohio Youth Wind Ensemble, in partnership with the Athens Community Music School. Members of SOYWE will build upon foundational skills to prepare students for success in collegiate music programs.
SOYWE auditions and membership are open to all Ohio and West Virginia band students in grades 9-12. All SOYWE musicians must be enrolled in their school band or orchestra program. Home-schooled musicians are also eligible.
All rehearsals are held in room 101 of Glidden Hall on the Ohio University campus. This site is easily accessible for students traveling from any part of the region. Wind Ensemble rehearsals will be held weekly on Sunday afternoons (with the exception of one) from 1:00-4:00 p.m. beginning in spring 2025.
Students accepted into SOYWE will receive music in advance of the first rehearsal and, similar to an All-State band or orchestra experience, will be expected to come to the first rehearsal with the music technically prepared.
Auditions will be virtual and will be due November 20, 2024.
Upon receipt of notification that a student is accepted as a member of SOYWE, they will receive a rehearsal schedule and a contract for membership, which must be signed by the student and parent and returned to SOYWE at the first rehearsal. SOYWE leadership is actively seeking outside funding for the program, but tuition for SOYWE membership (once selected through audition) may be up to $140 for the season, payable online. These funds are used to purchase sheet music, commission/new music fund, reserve performance facilities, faculty masterclass and chamber music coaches, and for staffing needs.
For further information, please contact the Ohio University Director of Bands, Dr. William Talley, at wtalley@ohio.edu or Asst. Professor of Music Education, Prof. Emily Talley, at talleye@ohio.edu .