FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shirley Luna – February 6, 2004

SFA’s Music Preparatory Division Recognized

The Music Preparatory Division at Stephen F. Austin State University has been recognized by the National Association of Schools of Music for meeting the criteria set forth for Non-Degree-Granting Programs for the Community.

SFA’s Music Preparatory Division each semester serves approximately 250 area children, ages newborn to 18, through private lessons, musicianship classes and performance opportunities.

The National Association of Schools of Music is the same organization that awards accreditation to music programs in colleges and universities across the nation.

"We are quite pleased with the recognition," said Dr. Ron Anderson, chair of the Department of Music. "It’s an indication to everyone that our program, which began in 1980, is well-respected, well-run and of superior quality."

The accolade is the second major recognition by a national organization the preparatory division has received. In 1996, the program was the first community school in Texas to become an associate member of the National Guild of the Community Schools of the Arts. Currently, there are eight others in the state, but they are all located in metropolitan areas, said Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division.

"The music department values the Music Preparatory Division as one way in which it can fulfill its mission as a cultural leader and center of learning in the arts for the region," said Anderson. "Enrollment figures certainly indicate that we are filling a very real need in East Texas by offering opportunities not available in the public schools or any other educational agency in the region."

Registration is still open for the spring semester, according to Barnett. Students may register for weekly private lessons in piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, classic guitar, harp and voice. Group instruction is available through Kindermusik programs for newborns through age 7, Suzuki violin for ages 3 and older, and musicianship classes for beginning and intermediate piano students.

Three choral programs are also available: the SFA Live-Wire Choir for students in second through fourth grades, the SFA Children’s Chorus for students in fifth through eighth grades, and SFA Showstoppers for students in seventh through 12th grades.

Music Prep faculty includes full-time members from the SFA Department of Music with earned doctorates to SFA graduate and undergraduate students in pedagogy.

Contact Barnett at (936) 468-1291 or by e-mail at pbarnett@sfasu.edu for more information.

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