About Us
Private Lessons
Scheduling
The Academy offers one-on-one private instruction in piano, voice, flute, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, guitar, and percussion. All private instruction operates on a semester schedule with each semester totaling 15 weeks of lessons. Each student receives one private lesson a week. Weekly private lessons are scheduled with your instructor. After you register for lessons, you will be contacted by an instructor. To accommodate the student's age and readiness, 30, 45, and 60 minute lessons are offered. Parents may accompany their children to lessons. All students are required to bring a notebook and any assigned materials given by the instructor.Attendance Policy
Attendance is vital for the progress of each student. In many cases, the student's commitment to attendance becomes imperative for the success of the class. If you need to miss a lesson, please try to exchange lesson times with another student. Students should arrive on time for lessons. A student who arrives late for their lesson will not have that time made up. Parents should pick up their children promptly after the lesson is finished. The Academy will offer make-up lessons for lessons missed due to teacher absence or inclement weather. Cancellation of lessons due to inclement weather will be based on the UA Fort Smith system.Audition Procedures
Upon entering the program, an instructor will contact the student to schedule lessons. At the first lesson, or prior to the first lesson, the instructor will assess the student in such areas as playing or singing simple melodies, clapping or playing rhythms, note reading, and pitch matching. This assessment will help the instructor to determine the student's level and length of lesson.Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to arrive at their lesson promptly on time and ready to begin. Any assigned materials such as lesson books, notebook, recital books, etc. should be brought to every lesson. Students should be prepared to play or sing the assigned material for the teacher.Practice Time
Besides attending lessons, students are expected to practice at home. Parents are encouraged to assist small children with their practicing. Repetition in learning a new skill is extremely important. Therefore, daily practice time is essential for growth in private study. The Academy encourages students to spend a minimum of 30 minutes daily practicing and rehearsing assigned lesson material. Advanced students will need to spend a much greater amount of time practicing. The instructor will advise each student individually as to the amount of practice time needed.Recital Attire
Students are expected to wear dress clothes and shoes. Boys may wear dress slacks and dress shirt with coat and tie optional. Girls may wear either dress slacks or skirt, with dress shirt or sweater, or a dress. If there is a change in the attire for a specific performance, the student will be notified ahead of time.The Children's Choir
Attendance Policy
Because the choir is auditioned, choir members are expected to attend every rehearsal and performance. Rehearsals are every Monday from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. in the Echols Conference Center. Parents are welcome to watch rehearsals. Children are to be picked up promptly at 5:30 following rehearsals. Periodically, rehearsals will take place in the Breedlove Auditorium. Parents will be notified ahead of this change. To protect choir members’ self-esteem and health, and to ensure the choir’s continued growth, the following attendance policy is in place:- Only TWO absences are allowed per semester. If the musician misses more than two times within a concert semester, the musician will contact the director and schedule a private session to ensure that the music is mastered. After this session, the director will decide whether the musician is adequately prepared to perform. Choir members are expected to attend ALL performances unless excused by the director.
- For an excused absence, the parents and/or musician will notify the director by telephone or e-mail prior to the absence. For an absence due to illness or emergency, the parents and musician will notify the choir director or the Academy director as soon as possible. Choir members are eligible to perform only if they are in compliance with the attendance policy.
- Dress rehearsals and ALL concerts are mandatory. If the singer has a stuffy nose or scratchy voice, he/she should still attend rehearsal even though he/she may not be singing.
Audition Procedures
Auditions will be held once per semester. Auditions for the fall semester will take place in early June or early August. Auditions for the spring semester will take place in mid-December or early January. All prospective singers who would like to join the Children’s Choir must complete an information form, and audition for the director. Parents may accompany the child to the audition. The audition will consist of pitch matching, determining the child’s vocal range, assessing the singer’s quality of tone, diction, and his/her natural aptitude for singing. The singer will also be asked to sing a simple song, such as My Country Tis of Thee or Happy Birthday. Please note that the audition is an assessment test only. The Academy will not exclude any child who wishes to participate in the choir. Audition Date for Spring 2008: Monday, January 14, 4:00-5:30 pm in the Echols Conference CenterBehavior Expectations
The Academy Children’s Choir was created to give musically motivated children the opportunity to create beautiful music in an energizing, invigorating, and loving atmosphere. Choir members are expected to act appropriately at all times. Singers who cannot control their behavior will be removed from the choir at the director’s discretion without refund of tuition. The Children’s Choir will maintain a “3 strikes, you’re out” policy:- 1st Strike: Warning sent home to be returned, signed by parent
- 2nd Strike: Parent will be notified by phone or e-mail
- 3rd Strike: Child is removed from choir without refund of tuition
Practice Time
Besides attending all rehearsals, students are expected to practice outside of class. A CD, along with a folder of music, will be given to each student at the beginning of the semester. The CD will include the voice parts for all songs to be performed in the semester. Students are expected to practice with their CD and music 3-5 times weekly. Parents are encouraged to practice with the student.Concert Attire
Students are expected to have black pants, socks, and shoes, and a white shirt or sweater for all performances. Holiday performances may require holiday-type dress. If there is a change in the attire for a specific performance, parents will be notified ahead of time.Theatre
Young Actors Guild
Young Actors Guild is a 501(c)(3), not- for-profit organization. Our mission is, “To present the junior citizens of the community educational and entertaining programs in the field of drama; setting the standards of such programs to the highest quality.” Young Actors Guild (YAG) is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors which provides direction for the organization and a vision which considers community, passion, respect, commitment, excellence, integrity, teamwork and thriftiness as true values. The YAG Board works diligently providing programs that build self-esteem and expertise in the art of theatre performance and production. Beginning July 1, 2007 and continuing through June 30, 2008, (YAG) has partnered with the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS), Academy of the Arts to enhance theatre education and opportunities for area youth. This partnership has been agreed upon and accepted by the YAG Board of Directors, Dr. Paul Beran, Chancellor of UAFS and Dr. Rosilee Walker, UAFS Artistic Director of the Academy of the Arts. The Young Actors Guild office will be in the Echols Building on the campus of UAFS and open during various times of the week which will be determined and posted. YAG updates and news may also be accessed at www.yagonline.org or by calling, 479-782-1696. Theatre classes and rehearsals will be held in the Echols classroom and Conference Center. Production performances will be scheduled primarily in Breedlove Auditorium and Second Stage in the Echols Conference Center; however, other venues may be used for performances. Young Actors Guild is a volunteer organization which does not always have a person in the office to answer telephone calls and reply to email messages. There will be a voice mail message which will inform you as to when the call will be returned or when to expect a reply to your email; unless, an unexpected emergency or a technical difficulty does not allow. In addition to instructional costs for classes or camps, additional costs may be incurred for cast/production t-shirts, program ads, and some costuming; but, the purchase of any of these and other related items is optional, not a requirement. Such items are only offered to enhance the overall student experience and as a means of fundraising for scholarship purposes. Because of the volunteer nature of YAG, parents are asked to volunteer in preparation for and during actual productions. Areas where parent volunteer assistance will be needed include set building, working backstage, working in concessions, costume designing and/or sewing. YAG will also have various other opportunities where volunteer assistance will be needed such as cast parties and workshops.Guidelines for Productions
1. EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO SHOW RESPECT TO OTHERS, Behave in a reasonable fashion, and exhibit common sense. In the circumstance where behaviors become unacceptable, there is a three step process:- Participant will be verbally warned of unacceptable behavior.
- Participant will be warned in writing of unacceptable behavior.
- Participant may be asked to leave the production.
If the unacceptable behavior puts anyone’s safety at risk, dismissal may be immediate (without warning). 2. A tentative rehearsal schedule will be made available at auditions. Please pay close attention to the rehearsal schedule and inform the Director of any conflicts. It will be up to the Director to approve conflicts. The rehearsal schedule is always a work in progress and often changes will occur in length and dates of sessions. Be sure to have current rehearsal schedule. The last two weeks of rehearsal prior to a production is the most critical and attendance at this time is the most important. Any adjustments made to the rehearsal schedule will be at the discretion of the production Director. 3. Cast and crew who will be late or absent from rehearsal must call YAG at 782-1696, prior to rehearsal. If you are unable to reach any one please leave a message. This is extremely important. 4. Once cast in a YAG production, performer should not alter appearance in any way (includes haircuts, hair coloring, piercing, etc.) without permission from production Director. 5. Cast and crew should bring scripts and pencils to rehearsals. This is a necessary tool for actors. No markers or ink pens will be allowed. 6. Other items (such as homework, reading material, electronic games, etc.) which may be brought to rehearsal will be at the production Director’s discretion. 7. No food or drink, except water, will be allowed during class time or rehearsals. 8. Most costumes will be provided by the YAG. However, cast members may be asked to provide some personal clothing or accessories. If member is unable to afford or acquire these, please let Director/YAG Board member know as soon as possible so arrangements can be made. 9. Parents’ presence in the rehearsal area will be at the discretion of the production Director. If parents are asked to drop off students, please pick them up promptly following rehearsal or YAG activity. 10. Reservations for family members will be made available prior to general public. Parents and immediate family members are asked to purchase tickets for one performance. Parents who have volunteered in any aspect of the production will be able to attend additional performances without charge, provided extra seating is available. 11. Ticket cost will generally be $10 unless otherwise stated. UA Fort Smith accepts cash, check, or credit card for reservations. YAG accepts cash or checks for reservations. All reservations must be paid for prior to performance. 12. School Performances of YAG productions will be performed when venue and rehearsal schedules allow. Schools which are interested in YAG productions need to contact Young Actors Guild at 479-782-1696.
5210 Grand Ave. • P.O. Box 3649