We can help you rekindle your passion for music!

The Adult Program is designed for adults of all ages, whether you are beginning lessons for the first time, refining your advanced skills, or coming back after many years away from lessons. At ISM, adults study music in a supportive atmosphere that facilitates the process of learning. Our experienced faculty has the patience and expertise to work with adults in many areas, including technique, note-reading, rhythm, theory, and interpretation. Their encouragement helps students develop the necessary basics in a fun yet challenging manner. Repertoire is based on a variety of musical styles in order to enhance enjoyment and maintain interest. Many adults have found that learning to play a musical instrument is a stimulating, challenging and rewarding way to relieve stress and be involved in creative and recreational activity. Our programs and classes are conveniently scheduled around the average adult's busy schedule. Daytime, lunch hour, evening and weekend times are available.

Adult students can choose from an array of learning opportunities: private instruction, classes, ensembles, workshops, performances, and recitals.

Private individual lessons in all instruments and voice

Discover the joy of learning the technical and musical skills needed to make any instrument or voice a vehicle for self-expression and enjoyment! Highly stimulating and fun, this program enhances artistic and personal development by bringing out the highest potential within each individual. Private Instruction is offered in piano, violin, viola, cello, voice, percussion/drums, flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone, harp, and guitar.

Optional performance opportunities

All adults, regardless of the complexity of their pieces or levels are encouraged to participate in the recitals. The recitals provide an opportunity to present music that students have mastered, enabling them to gain feedback from their peers, feel more comfortable performing, and develop a confident stage presence. Instructors work with each student to choose the most appropriate pieces for performance.
 

Jazz-private instruction in all instruments

 Improvisation offers an alternative to traditional lessons. This program is run by Wade Beach and Mike Maher, who teach students fundamental jazz techniques, the basics of improvisation, jazz theory, history, reading, harmonization, and performance using a jazz and blues curriculum. Students also receive an opportunity to  jam with a professional rhythm section. Students applying for this program should have  basic music reading skills.
 

Jazz Ensemble
 

This small group is  open to adults who want to experience the joy of playing in an ensemble. This program is run by Wade Beach and Mike Maher, who teach students fundamental jazz technique, reading, harmonization, and performance skills, using a jazz and blues repertoire in a group setting.
 

Chamber Ensembles

These classes are designed for avid amateur adults who enjoy making music with other chamber music enthusiasts. The class provides an opportunity for artistic and personal growth in a friendly, supportive atmosphere where participants can improve their skills and have a chance to perform in public. These classes provide coaching and intensive study. Standard chamber music reper­toire (from Baroque through Contemporary) that is written for string quartets, woodwind quintets, piano trios, quartets and mixed ensembles is studied.  Participation in these groups nurtures musicianship and reinforces reading and ensembles skills. Students develop awareness of blending and balance, and the ability to listen to one selves and a larger group. Students must take a placement audition and should have a minimum of three years playing experience.

Music Theory/Composition

Music theory directly enhances a student’s ability to understand and communicate the full musical meaning in performance. ISM theory classes build student musicianship by  teaching them to  understand the language of music. With sufficient theory background, students learn and memorize faster and generally sight-read better than students without theory knowledge. To develop the ability to hear and manipulate sound mentally vital for effective musical performance, ear training is strongly emphasized in class. Well developed theory skill also forms the basis for student composition, and/or any styles of improvisation. In theory classes, students learn basic knowledge of note reading in treble and bass clefs, rhythmic values, and simple terminology. As the students progress, they are able to recognize and analyze complex harmonic and rhythmic applications in music.
 

Optional Diploma/ Certificate Program

The Diploma/Certificate Program is for students who want to deepen their musical involvement and education and attain an especially high level of performance and participation. This comprehensive music curriculum provides structure and guidelines for students who wish to measure their musical progress.

• National Piano Guild/American College of Musicians Examinations (piano)

• American String Teacher Association Examinations (strings)

• ABRSM Examinations (all instruments and voice)

ISM prepares interested students for the practical (instrumental) and theory examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), National Piano Guild/American College of Musicians, and American String Teacher Association Examinations. Faculty select students for whom the exam curriculum and performance challenge provide appropriate motivation and reward. These assessments by external examiners present the opportunity for each student, their teacher and the school director to review the student's progress together and offer encouragement, guidance and advice on specified areas.

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