Fremont Music Academy

Orchestra & Band for Youth & Adults

Monday Evenings

Register now for the Fall semester starting Mondays, September 9th to December 4th

The Fremont Music Academy is a community learning environment for string, wind, brass and percussion instruments. The focus is on beginning, intermediate and advanced level instrumental technique, music reading skills and the joy of playing in an ensemble. FMA ensembles provide free public performances throughout the fall and spring semesters at Fremont Presbyterian Church.

• Instruments are not provided but are available for rent or purchase from local music stores.

• Cost: $60/semester tuition or $130/family tuition as well as the purchase of any corresponding class method book if used in that ensemble.

• If interested in a scholarship, contact the Music & Worship Arts office at classicworship@fremontpres.org.

Beginning Band 4:00-4:40pm

5TH GRADE - ADULT

Led by Director, Kevin Glaser. All woodwind, brass and percussion instruments are taught. Guitar and piano are not taught. Beginning band members will learn tone production, proper note fingerings, and rhythm reading in an enjoyable and positive learning environment. Required Materials: Standard of Excellence Book 1. Contact: Kevin at kzglaser@gmail.com

Intro to Strings 4:50 - 5:30pm

4TH GRADE - ADULT: BASIC VIOLIN INSTRUCTION

Led by director, Emilie Simmons, students will learn how to read music in the treble clef and properly hold the violin and bow. They will play fun, easy pieces in first position. If you’ve ever wanted to learn to play the violin, this is the class for you! Basic instruction for viola or cello may be available upon request. Contact Emilie at emilie.simmons@aol.com                                  

Beginning String Orchestra 4:00-4:40pm

4th GRADE - ADULT: LEARN HOW TO PLAY IN A STRING ORCHESTRA

Led by director Emilie Simmons. Violins, violas, and celli all have unique “voices” and played together, they can be quite awe inspiring. The director will lead pieces that are exciting and fun to play,

whether from popular movies, the classics, or original compositions. Prerequisites: Must have two years minimum of violin, viola, or cello experience and also somewhat proficient at reading music. Contact Emilie at emilie.simmons@aol.com

Community Symphonic Band 4:50-5:50pm

YOUTH - ADULT: A DYNAMIC BAND FOR ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIANS AND THOSE WHO MAY HAVE TAKEN A BREAK FROM PLAYING. REPERTOIRE INCLUDES TRADITIONAL WIND BAND LITERATURE AS WELL AS POPULAR MUSIC.

Led by director, Kevin Glaser. Combining woodwinds, brass and percussion. This ensemble performs intermediate to advanced level music with an emphasis on a quality sound, technical accuracy, and thoughtful musicianship. The Symphonic band is for students and adults that are proficient on their instruments. Prerequisites: Must have experience reading intermediate level music rhythms and ability to play chromatic scale. Contact: Kevin at kzglaser@gmail.com

Community Symphonic Orchestra 6:00-7:00pm

YOUTH - ADULT: THIS IS A FUN AND ENERGETIC GROUP THAT PLAYS A WIDE RANGE OF MUSIC FROM SERIOUS

ORCHESTRA LITERATURE TO LIGHT CLASSICS AND POP MUSIC.

Led by director Kevin Glaser. The Community Symphonic Orchestra is open to all musicians proficient on strings, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. This ensemble performs intermediate to advanced level music with an emphasis on a quality sound, technical accuracy, and thoughtful musicianship. Prerequisites: experience playing advanced level rhythms, ability to play all major and chromatic scales, and permission from the conductor. Contact: Kevin at kzglaser@gmail.com

Community String Orchestra 7:10-8:10pm

YOUTH - ADULT: CALLING ALL PROFICIENT VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, AND BASS PLAYERS!

Led by director Emilie Simmons, this is a community string orchestra for intermediate and advanced string players. Some pieces selected may be challenging, yet beautiful and rewarding to perform. Many members also play in the Fremont Presbyterian supported String Ensemble, Garden Strings, however, this is not a requirement. Prerequisites: Permission from the conductor. Contact Emilie at emilie.simmons@aol.com

Children’s and Youth Choirs

Wednesday Late Afternoons

Register now for the Fall 2024 semester starting Wednesdays, September 4th thru December 4th.

Wiggling Worship 5:15-5:45pm

In the Purple Room

KINDERGARTEN AND YOUNGER

Led by Children’s Minister, Debbie Rattan. Come join this active music and movement class where children can discover Jesus and learn basic music skills with their parent/guardian through singing, dancing, rhythm instruments and finger play. Important Details: Kindergarten and younger must be accompanied by a parent or other special adult. No cost. For further information or questions contact Debbie at drattan@fremontpres.org or Rachel at rjackson@fremontpres.org.

Music ’N Motion 5:00-6:00pm

In Westminster Hall

1ST THROUGH 6TH GRADES

Led by Christine Brauer and Linda Hogg-Wood. This is a fun program where children learn to sing together in a choir and explore music, rhythm, and vocal technique through various fun methods including bells, chimes, rhythm games, and plenty of movement. Children will have the opportunity to participate in worship in a few Sunday morning services and perform in a winter and spring concert.  No cost. For further information or questions contact Rachel at rjackson@fremontpres.org.

Sounds of Praise Choir 5:00-6:00pm

In the Music Room

7TH THROUGH 12TH GRADES

Led by director, Rachel Jackson, the Sounds of Praise Choir is all about building community and having fun as we learn choral music and complex rhythms together. We sing a variety of sacred music styles ranging from the classics to more contemporary literature. This semester, we will continue learning hand chimes! Our goals are to understand more about Jesus in the context of text and music, improve our singing and sight-reading skills, build confidence, and learn what it means to lead others in worship. Students also learn the importance of using their gifts to serve our community and church. Students will perform songs during a worship service and for concerts in December and May. Come and sing with this fun youth choir! No Cost. For further information or questions contact Rachel at classicworship@fremontpres.org.

Choral Skills Lab – July 17th and 31st from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Music Room

Sign up today for these two labs that will focus on topics including reading a score, the changing voice, the aging voice, support and control, blending pitch and tone, diction and dynamics. We will sight-read music and test our choral skills on an unfamiliar sacred anthem. This lab will make you a more skilled and confident singer whether in worship services or in a Christmas or Community Concert setting. This lab is recommended for any choral singer at any level. Voth labs will be different. Please come to one or both if able. Youth with changed voice through adult singers are welcome. $5 per class to cover the materials. If you are interested in joining the Christmas Choir, Youth Choir, or the Sanctuary Choir this lab is for you! Please RSVP by completing the registration for and email Rachel Jackson with any further questions at rjackson@fremontpres.prg.

Sanctuary Choir: 2024-2025

Be part of this dynamic community and help lead the congregation in worship every Sunday morning at the 9:00am Classic Service, September - June. Grade 8 through adults are welcome! (8:00 am call time on Sundays). Rehearses Thursdays, 7:00-9:00 pm. Email Rachel at classicworship@fremontpres.org for more info.

Annual Events

Choir Retreat August Aug 23-25, 2024 at Zephyr Point Conference Center in NV. 

Christmas Choir (High School-Adult) for The Glorious Sounds of Christmas Concerts
Sing with the Fremont Sanctuary Choir and other community choral singers in our three glorious, classical Christmas concerts accompanied by full orchestra and pipe organ on December 13th, 14th, & 15th 2024. It is a short-term commitment with a very rewarding finale. Music this year includes movements of the Magnificat by John Rutter, and pieces by Eric Whitacre, Handel, Dan Forrest and many others. For inquiries contact Rachel at classicworship@fremontpres.org

John Dewey Pigman Memorial Scholarship Fund
If you are in college or heading to college, active at Fremont Presbyterian Church, and planning to major in, or have a strong interest in music, drama or fine arts, then you are a candidate for the John Dewey Pigman Memorial Scholarship. The Pigman Memorial Scholarship Committee is currently accepting applications through August 8th, 2024. To complete an application, use the application button below. Please send your inquiries to Jim Parks at jimparks600@gmail.com.