Full Enrollment Program

The Full Enrollment Program is everything that I dreamed of being involved in as a young teenage guitarist. Finding an experienced teacher, who could show me the key techniques of the instrument, as well as its popular songs and styles, would have been pretty cool. But having the opportunity to study with just such a teacher and at the same time study music theory in weekly classes, and get involved in workshops and performances alongside other kids my own age would have been incredible. Students in the Uptown Music Collective’s Full Enrollment Program do just that every week.

Our Full Enrollment students take a private lesson, two workshops and a class each week. In their private lessons, which can be a half hour or hour long, they learn the technique of their instrument, the basic materials needed to make music, like chords and scales, as well as common styles and songs. In their classes, which start with basic music theory, they learn to read and write music, compose, arrange music for other instruments and to understand music’s inner workings. In their weekly workshops all of the elements are brought together and the students learn to make music together with other kids of their same level.

It’s this controlled combination of each of the important elements of music education that makes this program so effective. Instead of trying to cram all of the student’s music education into one half hour lesson, the information is spread out into classes and workshops taught by different teachers which ultimately give these students a broader and better understanding of music. Through the constant reinforcement in each of the students school activities they learn faster and go further then most students or parents would ever expect.

As of the 2008-2009 academic year the Full Enrollment Program was divided into three areas or tracks of study, each of which offer a certificate upon successful completion.

The three tracks of study are:

Musicianship Certificate
Performance Certificate
Songwriting Certificate

Each track can be completed in two years, although there is no time limit.

Certificate of Musicianship

This is the entry level course of study, all students must earn a Certificate of Musicianship before entering the Performance or Songwriting tracks. In the General Musicianship track the student will learn the basics of their instrument, reading and writing music, music theory, ear training, group playing, what goes on behind the scenes at a performance and performance skills.

Certificate Requierments

Principal Instrument

· Two years (6 semesters) of Private study on the student’s principal instrument

· Required jury examination at the end of each semester.

Classes (core classes)

· Music Theory I

· Music Theory II

· Music Theory III

· Harmony

Class Electives (must take two)

Music History, the Listening Lab, Intro to Songwriting, Rhythmic Theory

Workshops

· 2 years (6 semesters) of Basic Skills Workshops for principal instrument or other teacher approved Skills Workshop

· 1 year (3 semesters) of Tech Workshop

Workshop Electives (must take three semesters)

Intro to Rock, Intro to Blues, Intro to Jazz, Intro to Classical Guitar,

Recording Workshop

Performance Requirements: Must participate in two performances as part of a tech crew and in three recitals as a performer.

Volunteer Hours: 10 hours each year

Attendance at Community Events: Must Attend a total of 6 UMC Calendar Events and 4 teacher approved events.

top

Performance Track Certificate

The Uptown Music Collective is known for its large number of performance opportunities. Students in the Performance track lead the way, both performing in and helping to organize the school’s three recitals and two major performances each year, as well as the myriad other public and private performances students and teachers are involved in. In this track, students learn to play by ear, arrange music for small and large groups, understand the relationships between chords and scales, and perform in a wide variety of styles.

Certificate Requirements

Prerequisite: Must have earned a Certificate of Musicianship or an approved

equivalent

Principal Instrument

· Two years (6 semesters) of Private study on the student’s principal instrument

· Required jury examination at the end of each semester.

Classes (core classes)

· Chord Scale Theory

· Arranging

· Listening and Analysis

· Performance Ear Training

Class Electives (must take two)

Advanced Music History, Intro to Music Business, Songwriting I, Rhythmic

Vocabulary, Recording

Workshops

· 2 years (6 semesters) of Basic Skills Workshops for principal instrument or other teacher approved Skills Workshop

· 1 year (3 semesters) each in any two of the following Performance Workshops—Jazz, Rock, Blues, Acoustic, Classical Guitar and Songwriting

Performance Requirements:Must participate in three recitals as a backing band member, three major performances, and ten general performances.

Leadership Requirements: Must participate on one major performance leadership team, and direct one event (recital, major performance or other approved event.)Volunteer Hours:10 hours each year

Attendance at Community Events: Must Attend a total of 6 UMC Calendar Events and 4 teacher approved events.

top

Songwriting Track Certificate

The Songwriting Track leads the student through one of the most rewarding fields in music. Learning the process of writing, recording and performing original music is a draw for many students. The

curriculum in this track teaches students about the importance of melody, the relationship between melody and harmony, how to combine and write for the most common instruments, song form and structure, writing lyrics, getting into the creative mindset and more… This creative process is taught in an accepting, open minded manner with peer evaluation and constructive criticism from the instructors.

Certificate Requierments

Must have Certificate of Musicianship or equivalent

Principal Instrument

· Two years (6 semesters) of Private study at the intermediate or above level on the student’s principal instrument.

· Required jury examination at the end of each semester.

Classes (core classes)

· Songwriting I

· Songwriting II

· Chord Scale Theory

· Arranging

Class Electives (must take two)

Advanced Music History, Intro to Music Business, Rhythmic Vocabulary, Recording

Workshops

· 2 years (6 semesters) of Basic Skills Workshops for principal instrument or other teacher approved Skills Workshop

· 1 year (3 semesters) of the Songwriters Workshop, 1 year (3 semesters) Songwriters Performance Workshop

Performance Requirements: Must perform original compositions in three recitals, record a three song demo, and give a 45 minute concert of their original material.

Volunteer Hours: 10 hours each year.

Attendance at Community Events: Must Attend a total of 6 UMC Calendar Events and 4 teacher approved events.

top