Lessons, Classes and Ensembles at PMAC
Welcome to our online course catalog. Feel free to dowload a .pdf of our Spring 2012 Catalog. Scroll down this page to learn about our wide variety of programs for youth and adults. And don't forget that you can register online! We hope you'll join us for another fantastic summer of creativity at PMAC!
Music Lessons
The Portsmouth Music and Arts Center offers individual instruction in:
Baritone/Euphonium, Bass, Bass Guitar, Cello, Clarinet, Composition, Drums/Percussion, Flute, Guitar, Music Theory, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin and Voice.
One-on-one instruction at PMAC offers a wide variety of benefits for any student. Children can start as young as five years old (on certain instruments). Whether you are new to your instrument or have years of experience, our faculty can design lessons based on your goals, aspirations, and ability level. Come learn art or music in a fun and supportive environment. 30, 45 and 60 minute lessons are available for music study. Call PMAC at 603-431-4278 or dowload a .pdf of our official catalog for lesson pricing details.
Visual Arts Lessons
One-on-one instruction in visual arts allows students to work at their own pace with individualized attention. These lessons give the student the freedom to discover their unique passion and to explore the areas of art that interest them the most. As with private music instruction, art lessons nurture the students creative side in a fun and supportive environment. 45 or 60 minute lessons are available for visual arts. Call PMAC at 603-431-4278 or dowload a .pdf of our official catalog for lesson pricing details.
SPRING 2011: Visual Art Classes for Youth
Our Visual Arts faculty has created an exciting semester of fine arts course offerings that can be taken in sequence or individually. Each 6-week session focuses on a range of media, techniques, and subject matter, and all classes are developmentally appropriate for the given age group. Most importantly, our art classes are fun, engaging, and spark children’s creative thinking! All visual arts classes at PMAC are customized to meet the needs of each student enrolled in the class—an approach known as differentiated instruction. We understand that each student within a class has different abilities, skills, interests, and levels of confidence when it comes to visual arts. We take great care in providing leveled instruction appropriate to challenge their skills and nurture their abilities. We do this within a learning environment that is supportive, inspiring, and fun - allowing each student to create his or her own masterpieces and find their personal connection to visual arts.
MAGICAL MIXTURES! Mixed Media for Grades K - 8
Starting the week of January 9 and ending the week of February 13
Join us for a mixed-up adventure as we explore a variety of traditional and non-traditional methods of combining art mediums together to create expressive works of art! This session truly embodies the ‘magic’ of art materials and transformative processes. This session will incorporate mediums and techniques that are familar (like drawing and painting) and introduce NEW and innovative methods in printmaking, transfers, collage, textiles, metals and MORE! Come discover the possibilities when you start mixing up the mediums of art.
Grades K-1 Wednesdays, 4 -5:30 p.m.
Grades 2 - 3 Tuesdays, 4 - 5:30 p.m. $130/$115 PMAC Card
Grades 4 - 5 Thursdays, 4 - 5:30 p.m. $130/$115 PMAC Card
Grades 6 - 8 Mondays, 4 - 5:30 p.m. $130/$115 PMAC Card
Cost: $130/$115 PMAC Card (All Materials are Included!)
CREATIVITY WITH A CAUSE Community in Art for Grades K - 8
Starting the week of March 12 and ending the week of April 16
In this special session, young artists will learn how creating art inspired by the things they LOVE can be fun, personally rewarding, and a powerful way help their community! Artists will explore and partner with community organizations and create work that relates to their mission and purpose. If your young artist loves animals, they might work with the SPCA! Artists may make bright, playful images to cover the walls of a hospital to cheer its patients, or a visual plea to save a local lighthouse, or celebrate the beauty of our natural environment by creating landscape paintings of the places they want to preserve. We will use a variety of art mediums to create our work, and full-size color prints of student work willbe exhibited at the partner organizations. All original work will go home with students. Art is a powerful way to celebrate, educate and change communities, and we will communicate BIG ideas through visual arts!
Grades K-1 Wednesdays, 4 -5:30 p.m.
Grades 2 - 3 Tuesdays, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Grades 4 - 5 Thursdays, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Grades 6 - 8 Mondays, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $130/$115 PMAC Card All Materials are Included!
TRASHformations: Recycled & ‘Upcycled’ Art-Making for Grades K - 8
Starting the week of April 30 and ending the week of May 21 - 4 Week Course
Transform trash into treasures and when you dive into the crazy and creative world of making art using found objects, recycled materials, and repurposed items. We will see examples of many artists work (both local and from around the world) working in this new medium of recyclables. It is a FINE art for sure! We will brainstorm possibilities, develop our ideas and then experience the thrill of the hunt for just the right objects to build our sculptures! We will break things down and build them up anew! We will use anything from everyday recyclables like cardboard, bright plastics bottles, wrappers, cans, cases, and other packaging to more personal or one-of-a-kind objects like toys, watches, keys, jewelry/trinkets, and other fun finds! Artists are encouraged to bring in objects to share, or to use in their own works!
Grades K-1 Wednesdays, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Grades 2 - 3 Tuesdays, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Grades 4 - 5 Thursdays, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Grades 6 - 8 Mondays 4 - 5:30 p.m.
$99/$90 PMAC Card All Materials are Included!
I JUST WANT TO DRAW!
Does your child want to draw ALL the time?! This NEW ongoing drawing class is designed especially for the motivated young illustrator, cartoonist, anime fanatic or dedicated doodler! I Just Want to DRAW will allow students to follow their own individual passions while being provided the materials and expert guidance to fulfill their artistic vision.Students will explore a variety of pencil, charcoal and colored pencil techniques and experiment with shading, textures and more. The majority of class time each week will be dedicated to students working on their own individual pieces of their choice and design.
This class is designed for students in Grades 3 - 5. Wednesdays from 4 - 5:30pm.
Session I: January 11 - February 15.
Session II: March 14 - April 18.
Session III: May 2 - May 23.
Cost: $130/$115 PMAC Card for Sessions I & II. Session III Cost $99/$90 PMAC Card.
MUSIC & ART THERAPY
Ginna Macdonald, Certified Music Therapist & Laura Beaudoin, Certified Art Therapist
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) is the proud new home of Music and Art Therapy Programs with Certified Music Therapist, Ginna Macdonald and Certified Art Therapist, Laura Beaudoin. For more information, please e-mail ginna@pmaconline.org or call us at 603-431-4278.
Music and Art Therapy has been found to be a clinically effective treatment for many different types of disabilities and other concerns, even in those who are resistive to other treatment approaches. Both Music and Art Therapy are used to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages by setting specific goals accomplished by the creative process of art making. Below is a sample of some of the areas that music and art therapists assist individuals:
Mental Health – Use of active music making, music listening and discussion to address psychosocial, affective, cognitive and communicative needs.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia – Focus on the use of meaningful music to provide sensory stimulation to assist with functional deficits in physical, psychological, cognitive and social functioning.
Autism Spectrum Disorders/Developmental Delays – Provide a unique variety of music experiences in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner to effect changes in behavior and facilitate development of communication, social/emotional, sensori-motor, and/or cognitive skills.
Pain Management – Use of a cognitive behavioral model of therapy to help create new thoughts, feelings and body states to replace dysfunctional patterns, reduce pain, stress, and anxiety.
Crisis and Trauma – Provide non-verbal outlets for emotions associated with traumatic experience. Active and positive participation can result in enhanced feelings of control, confidence and empowerment.
Traumatic Brain Injury – Focus on the use of music to help regain language and speech, memory/cognition, coordination and strength, while addressing emotional issues.
Arts Exploration for Little Ones with Special Needs
This group includes developmentally appropriate music and art making fun for parent and child. Each 60 minute session includes 30 minutes each of therapeutic activity with certified music and art therapists, Ginna Macdonald and Laura Beaudoin. For students ages 1-3 with parent or caregiver (limited to 6 pairs). 8 weeks. Please call the PMAC office at 603-431-4278 or e-mail ginna@pmaconline.org for more information on tuition and class schedule.
YOUTH ENSEMBLES & CLASSES
ROCK BAND!
Learn and rehearse songs chosen by your band and perform a ROCK SHOW at The Press Room in May! Instructors Mike Effenberger & Nick Phaneuf help students develop set lists and enhance their skills in improvisation & performance. Students learn about different rock/blues styles, and gain an understanding of each player’s role in a band. Prerequisite of 2 semesters or 1 year of individual instruction. Our Rock Band program welcomes drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboardists, strings, horns and woodwinds! All Fall 2011 Rock Band Students have first choice to re-register for their positions in their bands for the Spring (by 1/6). Open registration for available spaces and/or newly formed bands begins January 9! Junior Rock Band (for students age 9 - 12) runs Fridays from 3:30 - 4:25pm. All other bands for ages 12 - 18 take place on Monday and Fridays. For more information or questions, please contact Katie at 603-431-4278 or e-mail katie@pmaconline.org. All Bands will be held at PMAC. All ROCK BANDS begin the week of February 6 and will conclude with two shows on Saturday, May 19 at The Press Room!
When: Mondays at 7pm, Fridays at 3:30pm (Junior), Fridays at 4:30pm & Fridays at 5:30pm (plus TBD band/s based on student demand/availabilty)
Tuition for the Fall: $225/$210 PMAC Card
Youth JAZZ Combo
PMAC’s Youth Jazz Combo, led by Matt Langley, is an excellent way to learn to play jazz and improvise. Geared for students ages 12 - 18, the focus is on improvising while learning classic and contemporary jazz charts. Students also learn to work in the unique group dynamic of the jazz combo. This ensemble will end each semester with two shows at The Press Room! Past year’s combos have played at The Music Hall, Jazzmouth and been featured in clinics with world famous jazz musicians. Prerequisite of 2 semesters or 1 year of lessons. The Youth Jazz Combo is open to drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboardists, horn, string and wind players. All Fall 2011 Students have first choice to re-register for their positions in their bands for the Spring (by 1/6). Open registration for available spaces and/or newly formed bands begins January 9! The Youth Student Jazz Combo begins Saturday February 11 and will conclude with two shows on Saturday, May 19 at The Press Room!
When/Where: Saturdays from 10 - 10:55am & 11 - 11:55am
PLUS Large Band Rehearsals at PMAC
Tuition for the Fall: $225/$210 with PMAC Card
The Bow Street Youth Orchestra & Junior Ensemble
The Bow Street Junior Ensemble is for beginning to early-intermediate string students who have studied their instrument for at least one year and are comfortable reading music. This is a fun and supportive ensemble led by Lynne White McMahon and is ideal for young students. The Bow Street Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Augusto Salazar, is open to intermediate and advanced students who have had substantial experience playing in ensembles and are ready for challenging repertoire. Primarily a chamber orchestra for strings, other instrumentalists are welcome to audition for the ensemble, and may be called upon, depending on ensemble needs. Rehearsals begin Saturday, March 10. Spring Concert dates are Saturday, May 19 at 7pm and Sunday, Sunday, May 20 at 2pm.
Bow Street Junior Ensemble Saturdays, 9:30 - 11am $165/$150 with PMAC Card
Bow Street Youth Orchestra Saturdays, 9:30am - 12 noon $215/$200 with PMAC Card
Session begins Saturday, March 10 and concludes with two performances on May 19 & 20.
Rehearsals will not meet on Saturday, April 21 for April Break
Jump Start Piano Level I & II
The piano is the perfect first instrument for young children age 5! Musical concepts such as high/low and the letter names of notes are easily understood when learned on the keyboard. Movement activities, games, and singing will also help nurture your budding musician. In this small class setting of four to six children, students learn piano basics through hands on exploration of the keyboard with instructor Ginna Macdonald. Class size is limited, so register now! For children 5 years old. And INTRODUCING...Jump Start Piano, Level II! Designed for students who have completed, Level I. This 6-week course will pair each student with a piano partner in these semi-private lessons with Ginna Macdonald. After completion of Jump Start Piano, students will be ready to JUMP into private instruction!
Jump Start Piano Level I: Tuesdays from 4 - 5 pm at PMAC
Dates: January 31 - April 10 Cost: $210/$195 with PMAC Card
Jump Start Piano Level II (Prerequiste JSP I): To Be Scheduled (based on student availability)
Dates: May 1 - June 12 (no lesson during Departmental Workshop Week)
Cost: $99/$90 with PMAC Card
ADULT ENSEMBLES & CLASSES
THE NEW HORIZONS BAND & THE NEW BEGINNER BAND!
For adults who play a band instrument at any level. If you’ve NEVER played before, start from scratch in our morning band. We can even help you get rent an instrument - now’s the time to start!
THE NEW HORIZONS BEGINNER BAND: Tuesdays. 9 - 10am at PMAC
NEW HORIZONS INTERMEDIATE BAND: Tuesdays, 7:30 - 9 p.m. in the Ports. High School Band Rm.
Dates: Thirteen Rehearsals beginning January 31, final concert on May 11
New Horizons Band Tuition: $170/$155 with PMAC Card
Beginner Band Tuition: $120/$110 with PMAC Card
SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE
What’s more fun than one saxophone? A whole bunch of saxophones! Come jam with us!
When/Where: Tuesdays, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. in Portsmouth High School’s band room.
Dates: Thirteen Rehearsals beginning January 31, final concert on May 11
Tuition: $200/$185 with PMAC Card
CHAMBER STRINGS ENSEMBLE
Play classical, fiddle, and other styles of music. Come play the the classics at PMAC!
When/Where: Tuesdays from 7:30 - 9pm at PMAC.
Dates: Thirteen Rehearsals beginning January 31, final concert on May 11
Tuition: $205/$190 with PMAC Card
FLUTE CHOIR
Fun for adult flautists of beginner to intermediate levels.
When/Where: Tuesdays, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. in Portsmouth High School’s Choir Room
Dates: Thirteen Rehearsals beginning February 1, final concert on May 11
Tuition: $185/$170 with PMAC Card
BLUES BAND
Get your groove on with the Blues Band!
When/Where: Wednesdays, 7:30 - 9 p.m. at PMAC
Dates: Thirteen Rehearsals beginning February 1, final concert on May 11
Tuition: $205/$190 with PMAC Card
THE BREWERY LANE BIG BAND
Join us for this exciting session and play classic big band arrangements!
When/Where: Wednesdays, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Portsmouth Middle School’s Band Room
Dates: Thirteen Rehearsals beginning February 1, final concert on May 11
Tuition: $250 ($125 if enrolled in another PMAC adult ensemble for the fall semester)
JAZZ COMBO
Play and improvise solos over great jazz standards and new jazz works.
When/Where: Thursdays, 7:30 - 9pm at PMAC
Dates: Thirteen Rehearsals beginning February 2, final concert on May 11
Tuition: $205/$190 with PMAC Card
ADULT ART CLASS: WONDERS OF WATERCOLOR
This class is appropriate for new, beginning and intermediate levels. January 12 - February 16
Discover the joy and beauty of watercolor painting! We will explore various subject choices and compositional arrangements for each student’s work and get them drawn onto paper. We will then uncover the exciting mysteries of color theory through hands-on experimentation, and learning color mixing and application techniques specific to watercolor to bring your images to life! All instruction is given within a comfortable, supportive classroom environment encouraging each student to try new things, share work, process discoveries along the way, and enjoy the rewarding sense of accomplishment with their finished work. Jeff Moses, Instructor. Thursdays from 11 - 12:30pm.
ADULT ART CLASS: RELIEF BLOCK PRINTMAKING
No experience necessary! Beginners welcome! March 15 - April 19
This class is designed to introduce students to the fun and satisfying art of relief block printing. Whether using wood or some of the new-to-market, easy-to-carve variations of linoleum you are bound to get hooked on the magical process of printmaking! From simple images to detailed fine-line drawings, students will learn how to transfer images, create value (lights/darks) through use of hatching techniques and decorative pattern and textures, and use ink and brayer to create black and white as well as color prints. Subjects can be realistic or abstract, vary in size, and even include ‘stamp’ sized pieces. Prints may be framed, made into cards, and even traded with classmates. No art experience necessary to join this fun and creative adventure in printmaking! Jeff Moses, Instructor. Thursdays from 11 - 12:30pm.
ADULT DRAWING CLASS SCHEDULE - SPRING SEMESTER 2012
Wonders of Watercolor January 12 - February 16 $130/$115 PMAC Card
Relief Block Printmaking March 15 - April 19 $130/$115 PMAC Card
All classes meet at PMAC on Thursdays from 11am - 12:30pm.
Discounts and Financial Aid
THE PMAC CARD
The Portsmouth Music and Arts Center offers a special discount card to all students and families who wish to receive special pricing on classes, camps and lessons. When you purchase a “PMAC Card”, you are eligible for the special PMAC Card tuition price - a significant discount over the regular tuition price. This card is designed for students who study at PMAC year round, or who take multiple lessons or classes. It is also beneficial for families with several students. Your PMAC card is valid for three consecutive PMAC school sessions (Fall, Spring, Summer) beginning with the session you purchase the card.
The PMAC Card for Individuals: $40—PMAC Card tuition pricing for one person
The PMAC Card for Families: $75—PMAC Card tuition pricing for all members of your family (one household)
EASY MATH: If your child takes Fall and Spring Private Lessons and you purchase The PMAC Card, you receive a $72 discount on your tuition. (Family Cardholders receive that same discount for every child taking lessons, in addition to sibling discounts! You can’t beat it.) And the savings grows with each camp, ensemble, or class you add.
OTHER DISCOUNTS
PMAC offers a 10% family discount for each additional student after the first when more than one family member (single household) studies at PMAC during the same semester. We also offer a 10% multiple program discount for each additional program after the first that a single student registers for during the same semester. These discounts are separate from the PMAC Card discount, and a PMAC Card is not needed to take advantage of these discounts. All discounts are applied to the class or program with the lower tuition value. PMAC limits discounts to a maximum of 10% for any one program (not including the PMAC Card discount). Multiple discounts cannot be layered in any way that exceeds 10% of the tuition cost.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial aid is granted to students on the basis of family need and PMAC’s availability of funds. Applications are available at the administrative office and must be returned by the appropriate deadline. In determining awards, the Financial Aid Committee considers family financial need, along with such additional factors as temporary unemployment, emergencies, illnesses, and total music training expenses. All student financial aid information is confidential. Continuation of assistance depends on evaluation of the student’s commitment and progress. New and continuing students who are enrolled in private lessons, classes, or ensembles, are eligible for financial aid. Recipients of partial financial aid who fail to pay the balance of tuition become ineligible for future aid. Financial aid recipients are expected to provide volunteer services for PMAC as scheduled through the office.
To apply for financial assistance, please download our Financial Aid Form. Application deadlines are listed on our Calendar page.
