Music Connection Celebrates 10th Year with New classes and Offerings and.. Cookies!

Music Connection Celebrates 10th Year with New classes and Offerings and.. Cookies!

“Something old and something new as we begin our 10th year of providing students and families with outstanding music lessons and music education seems like the best and most exciting path,” said Janet Kuester, director of The Music Connection.

“On September 6, 2004, The Music Connection opened with 60 students and 3 teachers in Orland Park,” she continued. “Now we have 2 locations, Frankfort and Orland, a staff of 25 teachers and office support, and our peak enrollment last year was 500 in our lessons and classes.”

“This year, as I met with my staff, we are pledging to do three important things with every student: educate, motivate, and inspire,” she continued. “That is the mission of every outstanding music teacher, and we have a staff of outstanding professional teachers.”

The students also, will be given a vision from the Music Connection’s teachers: learn, commit, practice, and celebrate. “Our systems of motivating students to continue and develop their full potential have been expanded so that each parent, teacher, and student can keep the lessons going so that students achieve what we (parents and teachers) all want for them: The skills to enjoy music for a lifetime!” stated Mrs. Kuester.

New this year for piano students: all students enrolled in private lessons also receive enrichment classes. These classes include: music theory, ear training, performance skills, extra help with sight reading and note reading, as well as the help of expert educators to encourage them to learn and enjoy the process. Monthly attendance is strongly encouraged and students may attend as many sessions each month as they wish at no extra charge.

“Chris Eubank, our newest member of our piano faculty, has developed our curriculum and will be teaching these classes. She is a person with great ideas, vision, and experience to teach and motivate children.”

“We will also continue to offer our popular master classes with Mr. Farobag Cooper as well as Suzuki Piano Club on Saturdays with Mrs. Kuester.”

“Advanced violin students are always looking for a reason to practice. So we have found one: our new “Gigging Troupe.” Lots of the high schoolers want to learn how to ‘play a job.’ We mentor them in this process by helping them learn the pieces that they will be playing in the future and give them an opportunity to perform,” said Janet. “We have already been invited to perform October 10 at the Tall Grass Arts Association.”

“Our younger traditional private violin students will have an opportunity to participate in traditional group class. This class will be taught by Ms. Tai Fraction, one of our newer violin faculty members. She developed the class to help the children have fun and get more help with music reading. It will be held Thursdays in Frankfort.”

“Violin continues to be popular with adults and our Friday night adult group continues to be a hit. All of the violinists in the group began their instruction as adults. This class starts in September. For beginners, private lessons are a great way and a comfortable way for adults to start because they can learn at their own pace”

“Because our vocal program has expanded so much the last 2 years, our vocal students will actually have their own concert for the Holidays. They will perform at Lincolnway North in December. Our children’s choir will also perform.”

For students and families who are testing the waters or just want to get started, Music in the Box classes for 0-5 taught in Orland and Frankfort continue to be very popular as well as “Try it and See for Violin or Piano”.

“And of course, guitar is the instrument that is most visible in our culture! Chris Rejman, a degreed professional is well educated, young, and passionate about Suzuki and traditional guitar. He enjoys teaching guitar students to expect more from themselves. He feels it is very important that children play all types of music to develop their ability, knowledge and technique.” Guitar is offered privately and in group.

“Harp is an instrument that is popular with adults and children alike,” she continued. “We offer an adult class as well as private lessons.”

“Clarinet just started last year and we have enjoyed introducing the first woodwind instrument to our private students. Alison Ryan is our instructor. She was raised in New Lenox, and graduated from Milikin University with a degree in music education, so she has had some excellent training. She loves teaching clarinet and is very kind and patient.”

“Though summer is already past history, we are already planning our summer camp scholarship auditions for next year,” she continued. This past summer, 3 Music Connection students, piano, vocal, and string were selected through the 1st annual Music Connection Summer Scholarship auditions to attend an approved summer music camp. All of the students who attended summer music camp this past summer were thrilled with the accelerated progress, inspiration to do more, and the new friendships they developed with like minded peers.”

Even though we are “The Music Connection”, music connects us to so many things, including art. This year we are offering new art classes in Orland Park and Frankfort. Our first classes will start in October and run for 5 weeks. Students will be exploring a variety of mediums. These initial classes will be offered on the weekends. Each class will be 1.5 hours long. Children can unwind from their school week, explore art, and parents can get some relaxing done and some errands run!

“We start our 10th year official celebration with cookies for parents and students.” On Thursday, September 4, 4-8PM, there will be cookies in Frankfort. Saturday, September 6, there will be cookies from 8AM—1PM. Whether you are a current student or want to stop in and see us and have a cookie, we’ll be there!

The Music Connection is located at 10751 165th Street in Orland Park and 9370 Laraway Road in Frankfort. We offer private and group instruction in violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, piano, voice, harp, clarinet, and early childhood.

Visit our website: www.theconnection2music.com or call 708-364-7590 or 815-464-4434.