APSU Homeschool Music Program presents new offerings in 2016

Clarksville, TN – Since 2013, the Austin Peay State University Homeschool Music Program has offered general music courses for home-schooled students in Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky.

Beginning with the 2016-17 academic year, Austin Peay has announced the launch of several additional opportunities targeted at early childhood, upper elementary and middle school students.

New for the fall season, the General Music Class provides a solid musical foundation for children in kindergarten through second grade.

Students sing, move, listen, read and write music and play instruments through a series of engaging lessons and activities.

Also new is Music Play, an early childhood course designed to provide a rich an interactive musical environment for babies through five years and their caregivers. Classes meet weekly to allow children to explore musical concepts through cooperative play, singing, movement activities and instruments. Classes are tailored for each age range, as well as the individual child, helping to foster an understanding of music concepts, as well as the skills to encourage a musical lifestyle beyond the classroom.

The Elementary Honor Choir is available for third through sixth grade students, and gives students the opportunity to perform as an elite children’s choir, using standard elementary instruments, as well as non-traditional instrumental pieces and world percussion. While this is primarily a performing ensemble, practices will include music reading, listening and musical and vocal development.

Students in fifth through eighth grade may participate in the Beginning Band, a new opportunity for home-schooled students interested in learning to play a band instrument and participate in a symphonic band setting. Students will progress through standard beginning band repertoire as they develop music reading skills and instrumental proficiency and learn to play an instrument in a group setting.

All Austin Peay Homeschool Music Program courses are taught by experts in their field, including Austin Peay music professors, University graduates and current students. Classes meet in the Music/Mass Communication Building on the University campus and begin after Labor Day (September 12th for choir and September 13th for band).

For more information on the program, visit www.apsu.edu/music/homeschool-music-program, or contact APSU associate professor of music, Dr. Eric Branscome at branscomee@apsu.edu