Fundamentals of Music

AMUSE's Fundamentals of Music series is designed to give students a more well-rounded music education. Classes include topics in Music Theory, Music History, Conducting, Breath Control, and Jazz.

Cost: $105 for seven classes (except where noted), plus the cost of materials

To enroll, select "Summer Camps" from the Group dropdown menu on the next page.

Music Theory, Level 1

3rd-8th grade, Beginning to Intermediate

This class is designed for continuing band/orchestra students with some previous experience. Topics will include: the keyboard, notation, major scales, intervals, rhythm, durational symbols, beat and tempo, meter, simple time signatures, and the circle of 5ths.

AUGUST SESSION: August 4 - August 25 ($120; an extra class will be added during the session to bring the total to 8)

Tuesday/Thursday 12:00-12:30pm (via Zoom)

Music Theory, Level 2

3rd-8th grade, Beginning to Intermediate

This class is designed for continuing band/orchestra students. Topics will include: minor scales and intervals, augmented and diminished intervals, consonance and dissonance, eighth-note triplets, compound time signatures, and more tempi.

Prerequisite: Music Theory, Level 1, or teacher placement

AUGUST SESSION: August 3 - August 24 ($120; an extra class will be added during the session to bring the total to 8)

Monday/Wednesday 12:00-12:30pm (via Zoom)

Music Theory, Level 3

5th-10th grade, Beginning to Intermediate

This class is designed for continuing band/orchestra students.

Prerequisite: Music Theory, Level 2, or teacher placement

AUGUST SESSION: August 3 - August 24 ($120; an extra class will be added during the session to bring the total to 8)

Monday/Wednesday 1:00-1:30pm (via Zoom)

Breathing and Sound for Brass and Woodwinds

All ages, Beginning to Advanced

Brass and woodwinds require air to create music. This class will help any brass or woodwind player make a beautiful sound by working on breathing and playing in a controlled manner. By the end of this class, students will have better range, better sound, and better control of their instrument.

AUGUST SESSION: August 3 - August 24 ($120; an extra class will be added during the session to bring the total to 8)

Monday/Wednesday 2:00-2:30pm (via Zoom)

Introduction to Conducting

8th grade and up, Intermediate to Advanced

Ever wonder what it is that Gustavo Dudamel is doing in front of the LA Philharmonic, or what it is that your Band or Orchestra Director wants? This course is the first step towards unlocking those mysteries. Students will learn the basics of conducting, improve their rhythm, learn score reading, and improve their music reading.

AUGUST SESSION: August 3 - August 24 ($120; an extra class will be added during the session to bring the total to 8)

Monday/Wednesday 3:00-3:30pm (via Zoom)

Jazz Theory: Tasty Harmony

Ages 13 and up, Advanced

 This class will dive into the sounds of Jazz Theory. The course will cover chords, progressions, scales, and ear training to enhance the student's understanding of jazz harmony. At the end of the class, students will be able to identify common chords and progressions in Jazz, understand and play a variety of scales used in Jazz, and continue to develop their ears through ear training exercises.

AUGUST SESSION: August 4 - August 25

Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-2:30pm (via Zoom)

Jazz Improvisation: Creativity Unleashed!

Ages 13 and up, Advanced

This class is an introduction to the world of Jazz Improvisation. Students will explore how to create and perform an improvised jazz solo. At the end of the class, students will be able to perform the melody and an improvised solo on a few different jazz standards, taking their musical creativity to another level.

Prior Jazz Theory knowledge or concurrent enrollment in the Jazz Theory course strongly recommended.

AUGUST SESSION: August 4 - August 25

Tuesday/Thursday 3:15 - 3:45pm (via Zoom)

Summer Violin Workshop

Ages 8 and up, at least one year of experience

This course will focus on playing positions, counting, ear training, bowings, dynamics, and more! It will supplement and build on fundamentals that are covered in the school music programs, in a format specifically designed for young violinists.

AUGUST SESSION: August 3 - August 24

Monday/Wednesday 1:00-1:30pm (via Zoom)

Performance Workshop for Strings

Ages 10 and up, Intermediate to Advanced

This course will focus on intermediate and advanced playing techniques. Class time will be split between lecture format and masterclass format. This class is great for students who wish to increase their stage presence, improve their phrasing, and learn from their peers!

AUGUST SESSION: August 3 - August 24

Monday/Thursday 3:30-4:00pm (via Zoom)