Private Lessons
Scheduling
The UA Fort Smith Academy of the Arts operates on a semester schedule with each semester totaling 15 weeks of lessons. Each student receives one private lesson a week. After you register for lessons, you will be contacted by an instructor. Students may choose a private lesson of 30, 45, or 60 minutes in length. Private instruction may include periodic performance classes. These classes will be set by each individual instructor as their schedule permits. At the end of each semester, students will perform in recital. All students are invited to participate but are not required. Recitals and performance classes take place in the Breedlove Auditorium and the Breedlove Rehearsal Hall room 105. Please note that you will automatically be re-enrolled for the spring semester. You must notify the Academy if you do not wish to re-enroll.
Master Classes
Each year the Academy offers Master Classes for students enrolled in private lessons. Students are selected by their instructor to present music for the guest artist in an informal performance setting. The student will then receive a master lesson from the artist. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet and learn from nationally acclaimed artists. Master Classes are free to the student and to the public. We encourage everyone to attend.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is vital for the progress of each student. In many cases, the student's commitment to attendance becomes imperative for the success of the class. If you need to miss a lesson, please try to exchange lesson times with another student. Students should arrive on time for lessons. A student who arrives late for their lesson will not have that time made up. Parents should pick up their children promptly after the lesson is finished.
The Academy will offer make-up lessons for lessons missed due to teacher absence or inclement weather. Cancellation of lessons due to inclement weather will be based on the UA Fort Smith system.
Audition Procedures
Upon entering the program, an instructor will contact the student to schedule lessons. At the first lesson, or prior to the first lesson, the instructor will assess the student in such areas as playing or singing simple melodies, clapping or playing rhythms, note reading, and pitch matching. This assessment will help the instructor to determine the student's level and length of lesson.
Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to arrive at their lesson promptly on time and ready to begin. Any assigned materials such as lesson books, notebook, recital books, etc. should be brought to every lesson. Students should be prepared to play or sing the assigned material for the teacher.
Practice Time
Besides attending lessons, students are expected to practice at home. Parents are encouraged to assist small children with their practicing. Repetition in learning a new skill is extremely important. Therefore, daily practice time is essential for growth in private study. The Academy encourages students to spend a minimum of 30 minutes daily practicing and rehearsing assigned lesson material. Advanced students will need to spend a much greater amount of time practicing. The instructor will advise each student individually as to the amount of practice time needed.
Recital Attire
Students are expected to wear dress clothes and shoes. Boys may wear dress slacks and dress shirt with coat and tie optional. Girls may wear either dress slacks or skirt, with dress shirt or sweater, or a dress. If there is a change in the attire for a specific performance, the student will be notified ahead of time.
Recital Etiquette
During a recital performance, students are expected to be seated near the front of the concert hall. Once the student’s performance has ended on stage, the student is to bow and then return promptly to their seat and remain seated until the end of the recital.
In order to respect all performers, parents and family are requested to be in attendance for the entire recital program.
The Children's/Show Choir Kidz
Attendance Policy
The Children’s Choir operates on a 15-week semester with 90 minute rehearsals weekly. Because the choir is auditioned,
choir members are expected to attend every rehearsal and performance. Rehearsals are every Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Echols Conference Center. Parents are welcome to watch rehearsals. Children are to be picked up promptly at 5:30 following rehearsals. Periodically, rehearsals will take place in the Breedlove Auditorium. Parents will be notified ahead of this change.
The Show Choir Kidz is an ensemble of students from the Children’s Choir who like to sing and dance. The Show Choir also operates on a 15-week semester with 90 minute rehearsals weekly. Students from the Children’s Choir must audition to participate in Show Choir. Rehearsals for Show Choir are every Monday from 4:00-5:30 pm in the Echols Conference Center.
The Children’s Choir and the Show Choir perform a concert at the end of each semester in the Breedlove Auditorium. In addition, special community and university performances are scheduled periodically during the semester. The Show Choir generally takes a one-day tour each semester to several schools. Anyone interested in scheduling the Choir or Show Choir for a performance should contact Rosilee Walker at 788-7546 or email rwalker@uafortsmith.edu. Parents will be notified of additional performances and tours as they are scheduled.
To protect choir members’ self-esteem and health, and to ensure the choir’s continued growth, the following attendance policy is in place:
- Only TWO absences are allowed per semester. If the musician misses more than two times within a concert semester, the musician will contact the director and schedule a private session to ensure that the music is mastered. After this session, the director will decide whether the musician is adequately prepared to perform. Choir members are expected to attend ALL performances unless excused by the director.
- For an excused absence, the parents and/or musician will notify the director by telephone or e-mail prior to the absence. For an absence due to illness or emergency, the parents and musician will notify the choir director or the Academy director as soon as possible. Choir members are eligible to perform only if they are in compliance with the attendance policy.
- Dress rehearsals and ALL concerts are mandatory. If the singer has a stuffy nose or scratchy voice, he/she should still attend rehearsal even though he/she may not be singing.
Audition Procedures
Students accepted into Children’s Choir and Show Choir must enroll for the entire school year. Tuition for the year is due in the fall semester. Auditions will be held at least once per semester. Auditions for the fall semester will take place in early May and early August. Auditions for the spring semester will take place in mid-December and early January. In addition to on-campus auditions, the Choir Director will audition students at a variety of school sights. All prospective singers who would like to join the Children’s Choir must complete an information form, and audition for the director. Parents may accompany the child to the audition. The audition will consist of pitch matching, determining the child’s vocal range, assessing the singer’s quality of tone, diction, and his/her natural aptitude for singing. The singer will also be asked to sing a simple song, such as My Country Tis of Thee or Happy Birthday. Should you be unable to attend the scheduled audition dates, please contact Dr. Walker at 788-7546 to schedule a personal appointment and audition with the Choir Director.
Audition Date for Fall 2008:
Wednesday, August 20, 4:00-5:30 pm in the Echols Conference Center
Behavior Expectations
The Academy Children’s Choir and Show Choir was created to give musically motivated children the opportunity to create beautiful music in an energizing, invigorating, and loving atmosphere. Choir members are expected to act appropriately at all times. Singers who cannot control their behavior will be removed from the choir at the director’s discretion without refund of tuition. The Children’s Choir will maintain a “*3 strikes, you’re out*” policy:
- 1st Strike: Warning sent home to be returned, signed by parent
- 2nd Strike: Parent will be notified by phone or e-mail
- 3rd Strike: Child is removed from choir without refund of tuition
Practice Time
Besides attending all rehearsals, students are expected to practice outside of class. A CD, along with a folder of music, will be given to each student at the beginning of the semester. The CD will include the voice parts for all songs to be performed in the semester. Students are expected to practice with their CD and music
3-5 times weekly. Parents are encouraged to practice with the student.
Concert Attire
Students are expected to have black pants, socks, and shoes, and a white shirt or sweater for all performances. Academy choir robes will be provided. Students in the Show Choir will be provided a tux shirt, bow tie, and vest. Holiday performances may require holiday-type dress. If there is a change in the attire for a specific performance, parents will be notified ahead of time.
Theatre
Young Actors Guild
Beginning July 1, 2007, the Young Actors Guild partnered with the UA Fort Smith Academy of the Arts to enhance theatre education and opportunities for area youth. The partnership was agreed upon and accepted by the YAG Board of Directors, Dr. Paul Beran, Chancellor of UA Fort Smith and Dr. Rosilee Walker, UA Fort Smith Artistic Director of the Academy of the Arts.
Theatre classes and rehearsals are held in the Echols classroom 115 and the Echols Conference Center. Production performances are scheduled primarily in the Breedlove Auditorium and Second Stage in the Echols Conference Center; however, other venues may be used for performances.
In addition to instructional costs for classes or camps, additional costs may be incurred for cast/production t-shirts, program ads, and some costuming; but, the purchase of any of these and other related items is optional, not a requirement. Such items are only offered to enhance the overall student experience and as a means of fundraising for scholarship purposes.
Parents are asked and encouraged to volunteer in preparation for and during actual productions. Areas where parent volunteer assistance will be needed include set building, working backstage, working in concessions, costume designing and/or sewing. Other opportunities where volunteer assistance will be needed may include cast parties, workshops, and camps.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is imperative to the success of the class and/or production. Acting classes begin promptly on Tuesdays at 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30pm while the YAG Players meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-5:15pm. All theatre rehearsals take place in the Echols Building.
A tentative rehearsal schedule will be made available at auditions for major productions. Please pay close attention to the rehearsal schedule and inform the Director of any conflicts. It will be up to the Director to approve conflicts. The rehearsal schedule should be regarded as tentative, since changes will often occur in length and dates of sessions. Be sure to have a current rehearsal schedule. The last two weeks of rehearsal prior to a production is the most critical and attendance at this time is the most important. Any adjustments made to the rehearsal schedule will be at the discretion of the production Director.
Cast and crew who will be late or absent from rehearsal must call the production Director prior to rehearsal. If you are unable to reach the Director, contact Dr. Walker at 479-788-7546. This is extremely important.
Audition Procedures
Students must audition for Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. A $50 deposit is due at the audition. Students not cast will have their deposit returned. Those cast in the production must pay the remainder of the tuition promptly. In addition, those students who are cast in a production but decline to accept the role will forfeit their deposit. Students enrolling in acting classes and the YAG Players productions of Jungle Book and Sleeping Beauty will be enrolled on a first come – first serve basis. Tuition for these activities is due at the time of enrollment.
Behavior Expectations
EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO SHOW RESPECT TO OTHERS, behave in a reasonable fashion, and exhibit common sense. In the circumstance where behavior becomes unacceptable, there is a “3 strikes, you’re out” policy:
- 1st Strike: Participant will be verbally warned of unacceptable behavior.
- 2nd Strike: Participant will be warned in writing of unacceptable behavior.
- 3rd Strike: Participant may be asked to leave the production.
If the unacceptable behavior places anyone’s safety at risk, dismissal may be immediate (without warning).
Once cast in a production, performers should not alter their appearance in any way (includes haircuts, hair coloring, piercing, etc.) without permission from production Director.
Cast and crew should bring scripts and pencils to rehearsals. This is a necessary tool for actors. No markers or ink pens will be allowed. Other items (such as homework, reading material, electronic games, etc.) which may be brought to rehearsal will be at the production Director’s discretion. No food or drink, except water, will be allowed during class time or rehearsals.
Parents’ presence in the rehearsal area will be at the discretion of the production Director. If parents are asked to drop off students, please pick them up promptly following rehearsal.
Practice Time
Besides attending all rehearsals, students are expected to practice outside of class. Scripts, character studies, and staging information will be given to each student to take home and study. Students are expected to memorize their lines outside of rehearsal and class times. Parents are encouraged to practice with the student.
Performance Attire/Costumes
Most costumes will be provided. However, cast members may be asked to provide some personal clothing or accessories. If cast member is unable to afford or acquire these, please let the production Director know as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.
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