TAMIU Offers Fall 2005 Young Artists Community Program

Registration for Texas A&M International University's 2005 Fall Young Artists Community Program is now underway. Classes are available for beginners and intermediate students ages four to 14. Give your children the opportunity to practice self-discipline and diligence while learning to play an instrument, sing, and/or exploring music at TAMIU.

Dr. Gilberto D. Soto, associate professor of music education, co-author of the National Music Education Series Spotlight on Music and Coordinator of the Young Artist Music Community Program since 2002, said the program offers children remarkable exposure to the world of music.

"The Young Artist Community Program has been in existence since Fall 2002 and provides fine arts courses in the areas of music discovery, piano, voice and guitar to those children interested in discovering the wonderful world of music. At the same time, the program provides an opportunity for TAMIU music students to become teachers and mentors to these children, as they will become future music educators for our state and/or nation. We offer these classes because we know how important it is to start music education at an early age," Dr. Soto said.

Beginning and intermediate classes meet once a week for an hour and the session runs Sept. 13 through Dec. 14.

The schedule is as follows:

Music Discovery (four to six year olds) - Thursday, 6 p.m.

Piano Beginners (six to nine year olds) - Tuesday, 5 p.m.

Piano Intermediate (six to nine year olds) -Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Guitar Beginners (six to nine year olds) - Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Guitar Intermediate (six to nine year olds) - Thursday, 5 p.m.

Piano Beginners (10 to 14 year olds) - Tuesday, 5 p.m.

Piano Intermediate (10 to 14 year olds) - Thursday, 6 p.m.

Guitar Beginners (10 to 14 year olds) - Thursday, 5 p.m.

Guitar Intermediate (10 to 14 year olds) - Thursday, 5 p.m.

Voice Beginners (six to 12 year olds) - Thursday, 5 p.m.

Parents may register their children at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA), room 216A, 3 - 5 p.m. The deadline to register is Sept. 13. There is a registration fee of $20 and tuition costs $45 per month. Space is limited.

For more information, contact Dr. Soto at gsoto@tamiu.edu, call 326.3046 or visit offices in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, room 216A.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu