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The OES Music program Pre K–12 seeks to expose students to the aesthetic and creative joy of making music and instill in our students a life-long appreciation and love for music. Music at OES is dedicated to guiding students to reach their highest possible level of excellence. Students learn the equal importance and interrelation of individual self-discipline and ensemble esprit-de-corps. Through our music offerings, our students grow in self-esteem, musicianship and a global awareness as we work together in the universal language of music.
Some school instruments are available for rental:
contact Sue Jensen at 503-416-9360
Performance Dress: All musical performances have the expectation for students to come in the following: blue polo shirt (with OES Logo), black skirt or pants, black shoes (the exception is boy's choir, which has its own dress code).
Group Violin Instruction for Beginners
The Beginning Strings class is for any child who is interested in learning the art of playing the violin. Incorporating both traditional western methods and modified Suzuki principles, the teacher creates for each student an atmosphere of encouragement, stimulation, and love for music, which is then nurtured at home through parental involvement in practicing and music-making. This approach helps the child develop musicianship, learning skills, and the ability to concentrate, while promoting healthy self-esteem. The entire family is enriched by this shared musical experience. Emphasis is on posture, focus, holding the bow, and elementary tone production. Students perform a common repertory together, play memory and ear-training games, and work on performance skills. The group class is an excellent complement to private lessons: the student learns to react and respond to instruction, to lead and to follow, to concentrate while surrounded by others, and to view himself or herself as part of a supportive, dynamic performing community. The ensemble performs three times during the year, at the December Winter Instrumental Concert, May LS Spring Festival Concert and at the concluding Strings Recital.
Neil Hollister began teaching in the Portland area in 1998, and has taught over 100 students privately. In addition, he has coached both adult and youth orchestras, and performed with many orchestras and ensembles–playing classical, jazz, country, and solos. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Washington (2002) and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland (1995). While completing his master’s degree, he studied pedagogy and completed a certificate in music theory.
Beginning Strings 1
Prerequisite: none
Kindergarten–5th Grade
Thursdays 3:00–3:50
Dates: February 7 - June 5
Location: Room 33
Cost: $75 Spring, polo shirt extra
Beginning Strings 2
Prerequisite: instructor permission
Kindergarten–5th Grade
Mondays 3:00–3:50
Dates: February 4 - June 2
Location: Room 33
Cost: $75 Spring, polo shirt extra
The 3rd Grade Strings Program is for any child who is interested in learning the art of playing the violin or cello, and/or continuing their study of the violin or cello. This program involves weekly, half-hour, group cello or violin lessons given during the school day. Strings instruction encourages a child's development of physical coordination, memory skill, attention span, auditory comprehension, artistic expression, creativity and teamwork. This class will perform three times during the year-- at the December Winter Instrumental Concert, the May Spring Festival Concert, and at a chapel.
Instruments may be rented through the David Kerr Violin Shop. OES has a few string instruments available for rent as well. If you have any questions, please contact
, OES Strings Specialist.
Some questions that have been asked:
What is the cost of the 3rd Grade String Program?
There is no charge for the in-school lessons. Parents are responsible for the cost of the instrument rental and lesson book.
Should I buy a violin or should I rent?
We strongly encourage you to rent a small-sized instrument rather than buy one. String instruments come in different sizes, from 1/16 to 4/4. Parents should wait to purchase an instrument until the child can play a full-sized model.
My child is left-handed. Does this affect his playing of a string instrument?A string instrument is not a right-handed or left-handed instrument. Those students that are left-handed will be extremely strong at learning the fingerings.
My child plays piano. Which is the best instrument for her to learn?
The violin reads the same notes as the right hand of piano, and the cello reads the same notes as the left hand of piano. The viola has its own clef (alto), which no other instrument reads.
Wednesdays 11:30–11:55 Violin
Fridays 11:30-11:55 Cello
Dates: February 6 - May 30
Location: Chapel Basement
Cost: $0, polo shirt extra (if needed)
Nelly Kovalev has been teaching private violin and beginning piano since 1996. She earned a bachelors of Music in Performance in 2003 and Master of Science in Teaching Music in 2005 from Portland State University. She has also had solo performances with the Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Young Artists, and Vancouver Symphony just to name a few! This is the start of her third year with OES.
Prerequisite: subject to teacher approval
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00–4:00
Dates: February 5- June 5
Location: Chapel Basement
Cost: $75 Spring, polo shirt extra
Instructor Lynn Vannier began at OES in September 2005 and teaches both beginning and advanced band classes. Lynn earned a degree in music education from Lewis & Clark College. She also conducts the Clackamas Community Band in West Linn and performs with the Lewis & Clark College Symphony as principal oboist.
A new beginning band class for 4th graders! It is offered during the school day during recess one day a week. Come learn to play the flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone! This class will perform three times throughout the year including the ecember Winter Instrumental Concert, the May Spring Festival, and at a chapel.
Mondays 11:00–11:25- Flutes and Clarinets
Thursdays 11:00–11:25 Trumpets and Trombones
No charge, except polo shirt (if needed)
This class is open to students who wish to learn to play an instrument. Students may choose from the following list of wind and percussion instruments to begin their Band experience: flute, clarinet, oboe, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone horn, and percussion. Students with no previous instrumental experience are encouraged to take private lessons in order to more quickly develop the skills necessary to play in performances. Students are required to rent or purchase an instrument. Instruction will focus on basic tone production and instrument care, as well as concert etiquette. Students will divide their class time between technique building exercises, performance pieces, and music theory games. On Friday of every week, Beginning Band students will have a joint class with the Advanced Band students to give them a combined musical experience with students whohave been playing for one or two years. The Beginning Band class is a great way to introduce the love of music to the entire family, and to give students another form of expression and an opportunity to build teamwork skills. The ensemble performs three times during the year-- at the December Winter Instrumental Concert, the May Spring Festival Concert, and at a chapel.
Prerequisite: None
3rd-5th Grade
Tuesdays 3:00–4:00
Dates: February 5 - June 3
Location: Chapel Basement
Cost: $75, polo shirt extra
The Advanced Band class is the continuation of the Beginning Band program and is designed for any student who has had at least one year of band class. All of the goals from Beginning Band are continued in this class as students tackle more demanding pieces, better tone production, and review instrument care and concert etiquette. To these goals we will add more challenging rhythms, ear training, and sight-reading. Every Friday, Advanced and Beginning Band students will work together in a large group rehearsal. Common pieces will be rehearsed and performed together in concerts, and the opportunity to work on tone production, rhythm, and teamwork skills will further enhance the creation of musical expression that is started in the Beginning Band. The ensemble performs three times during the year-- at the December Winter Instrumental Concert, the May Spring Festival Concert, and at a chapel. More advanced students may wish to participate in the OMEA Solo/Ensemble Festival subject to teacher approval.
Prerequisite: Beginning Band/Teacher Approval
4th & 5th Grade
Tuesdays and Fridays 3:00–4:00
Dates: February 5 - June 6
Location: Chapel Basement
Cost: $75, polo shirts extra
The choir program is a year-long commitment, beginning in September and extending into May. This will allow the choir to reach a higher level of musicianship and sing more challenging music. Students will perform at the OES Advent Service (December 12) and Zoo Lights in December, in addition to other special events. The OES spring concert (May 8) will be the culminating event, demonstrating what the students have learned during the school year. You will be billed in the fall for half the class fee and in the spring for the remainder. All students will be given a polo shirt (orders will be taken the first week of October and shirts will be distributed by the first performance). It will be an exciting year! Fees include all performances and music, polo shirt is extra.
This choir is a great opportunity for enthusiastic young singers. Students will learn to transfer the music reading skills they are learning in music class to reading choral music appropriate for their age and ability. Students will learn the basics of correct singing in an atmosphere that is fun and relaxed, yet promotes personal discipline. Above all, students will develop a strong sense of working together to make beautiful music. Students will also demonstrate what they have learned in the many performance opportunities through the school year. Choir is a year-long commitment. Families must notify the ASC office by Dec. 18, if not continuing in the spring.
Deborah Bridgnell earned her Bachelor’s in Education with a Music minor from Southern Oregon University. Deborah taught general music classes and directed children’s choirs for six years in Long Beach. Mrs. Bridgnell has directed the children’s choir and the bell choir at the First Presbyterian Church for the past few years in addition to teaching Choir at OES.
Primary–2nd Grade
Tuesdays 3:00–3:45
Dates for spring: January 8 - May 20 (19 classes)
Location: US Music Room
Min/max enrollment: 22/50 students
Cost: $185 Spring
Polo Shirt: $15 (if needed)
Through the study of choral literature, singers will improve their voices while developing a strong sense of teamwork. Students will perform at various chapel services in both fall and spring sessions and culminate their year with an evening concert on May 8. In addition to the performances listed above, in the spring students will attend an All Day SWOKE Choir Festival, culminating in an evening performance with other choirs from the Portland area under the direction of a guest conductor. Basic music reading skills will be learned through singing and performing in a choir setting.
Kris Van Auken earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master’s in Education from Lewis & Clark College. Kris taught music, instrumental and vocal classes for 13 years in public schools, and has been teaching at OES for the past 12 years. She is a reelance piano accompanist in the Portland area and has been teaching general music classes at OES for the past nine years. Kris is also the Artistic Director of the Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choirs and conducts 4 of the 6 ensembles.
3rd–5th Grade
Wednesdays 3:00–4:00
Dates for spring: January 9 - May 21 (19 classes, plus all day festival)
Location: US Music Room, Scott House
Min/max enrollment: 22/50 students
Cost: $195 Spring, polo shirt extra (if needed)
This ensemble is for boys with unchanged voices, 4 th grade and older. The OES Boys’ Choir embraces the rich history of boys’ choirs in the Anglican tradition and explores both secular and sacred literature encompassing diverse and global traditions. The OES Boys’ Choir performs at the Advent Service, Evensong, the All School Choir Festival, the LS Spring Concert, US Fine Arts Night, in addition to performances with the US Boys DooWop Ensemble, "Those Guys." Students required attire is OES blazers (provided on loan from the school), white shirts, khaki pants, and neck ties.
4th-6th Grade
Wednesdays 3:00–4:00
Dates for spring: January 9 – May 21 (19 classes)
Location: Band Room, Church Basement
Cost: $190 Spring (blazer, tie, extra fee)
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