Blue Gator Fine Arts

AAA Music FUN Camp for Ancillae students
entering Grades 2-4
July 14, 15, 16, 17 (Monday-Thursday)  
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 

Faculty:
Mr. Esposito, Mrs. Broytman, Mrs. Schmauk, Mr. Bythrow 

Fee:
$250 (Snack and water provided each day.) 

This is an opportunity to learn about music while having some summer fun! Our 4-day program is designed for students to get creative, have fun and learn new skills. 

What to Expect: 

FUN activities will include Group Hand Drumming, Choral Activities and Skills, Broadway for the Beginner, Listening to Music through Creating Pictures, Music and Movement, Setting Words to Music, Rhythm Games Galore, and Classical Music Freeze Dance. Students will experience all activities throughout the four days.  

On Thursday at 10:30, we will showcase what we learned with a performance for the AAA Summer Campers. Parents, family and friends are welcome to attend! 

If your child is already enrolled in AAA’s Summer Camp, your child can participate for the half day in Music Fun and then return to AAA’s Summer Camp for the rest of the day.

AAA Summer Music Intensive for Ancillae students
entering Grades 5-8 
July 14, 15, 16, 17 (Monday- Thursday)   
6:30PM - 9:00PM 

Faculty:
Mr. Oehler and Mr. Bythrow 

Fee:
$250 (Snack and water provided each night.) 

Join us for an exciting four-day summer music experience designed to sharpen your skills, connect with other musicians, and perform in a high-level concert while working closely with our instructors. 

BAND and/or VOICE: This is your chance to work directly with Mr. Oehler or Mr. Bythrow in a setting that pushes you musically while still being fun and engaging. Strings are welcome! 

Monday - Wednesday will be full of Masterclasses & Ensemble Rehearsals 

Thursday, 7:30 PM – Final Concert Performance 

What to Expect: 

Masterclass Sessions – Bring a prepared solo piece to perform in a relaxed, supportive setting with an audience of musicians and faculty. Get personalized feedback, refine your piece, and perform it in Thursday’s recital. Mr. Bythrow and Mr. Oehler will combine these sessions. 

Ensemble Experience – Be placed in a group based on instrumentation and skill level—whether it’s a flute quartet, jazz band, brass trio, or full concert band!  Rehearse exciting repertoire and prepare to perform as part of our final concert. 

Vocal Experience- Be placed in a group based on skill level to rehearse excerpts from musicals. This is an opportunity to hone your acting and singing skills while having maximum fun.  

Concert Night – Showcase everything you’ve worked on in a polished, high-energy performance featuring both solo and ensemble performances. 

Can’t decide because you love both singing and playing an instrument? No worries, you can do both- Mr. Bythrow and Mr. Oehler will work together to bring you the best of both worlds!   

REGISTRATION:  
Should an Ensemble or Studio be filled, the student will be placed on a waiting list until the time at which placement becomes available. Families new to the Academy are informed of the Fine Arts Program offerings during the new student’s registration process.  

OTHER POLICIES & INFORMATION:  
There are no lessons scheduled during the holidays. Please check the school calendar for the specific dates. Two make-up lessons for student absences will be given per year. Instructors will make up any lesson missed due to their own absence or due to any calendared school event. There are no make-ups or credits for class offerings or ensembles. Students are required to purchase music books for their lessons. Each instructor will advise the students regarding the materials to be purchased. Mid-year registration openings will be made available in the first week of December. Prospective students are welcome to observe lessons and classes at any time (with the instructor’s approval). 

PROGRAM BENEFITS:  
Music lessons are conveniently scheduled before, during, and after school hours. Music ensembles are scheduled at non-academic times during the school day. Band and Mixed Chorus are scheduled after school on Thursdays when no athletic practices are scheduled. Students may be given the opportunity to participate in group lessons, recitals, concerts, festivals, competitions, and other events. Selected students may perform throughout the year at assemblies, liturgies, and other special events.  Throughout the year, the Fine Arts faculty is available to answer your questions and help familiarize you with the program.

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS:  
Account balance for private music lessons, ensembles, and other Fine Arts classes will be added to your tuition payment plan using FACTS Tuition Management System. Families are responsible for full-year payment regardless of completion.  Refunds will only be given in exceptional circumstances as instructors are contracted based on enrollment.  In order to register for fine arts, all students' tuition and fees must be paid up to date.

TUITION AND FEES:  
Music Lessons: $900.00 per year for 25 30-minute lessons. 25 lessons are given per academic year including 2 make-up lessons. The length of a lesson is 30 minutes unless upon instructor request.  Two of the 25 lessons can be group rehearsals for recitals. Up to 3 additional lessons can be partner or group lessons at the discretion of the instructor. 

Music Ensembles: $150.00 per year for the first ensemble and $75.00 per year for the second ensemble. No charge for additional ensembles after the second.  Grades 1-4 Choristers and Grades 3-4 Orff is $50 for each student.

Dance Classes: $700.00 per year for 30 minute classes. $725.00 per year for 45 minute classes.  25 classes during the school year.

Registration is submitted online only. 

Band (Prelude Band or Concert Band (Grades 4-8) All brass and woodwind instruments with percussion play in a group setting. Students just starting on an instrument will be placed in Beginning Band. Students whose abilities have proven the capacity to play more complex pieces will be placed in Concert Band. 

Concert Choir (Grades 5-8) Students will learn the fundamentals of choral singing including sight-reading, dynamics, phrasing and breath control. 

Choristers (Grades 3-4) Students will learn to sing in parts, study music of various styles, and develop the necessary skills for singing in a choir. 

Choristers (Grades 1-2) Students will learn to sing in parts, study music of various styles, and develop the necessary skills for singing in a choir.   

Orff Ensemble (Grades 3 & 4) Maximum 20 students. Students play on assorted sizes of xylophones and other percussion instruments. Students learn the basics of ensemble playing including following a conductor, understanding form, rotating parts, and playing patterns. 

Handbell Ensemble (Grades 5-6) Maximum 20 students per group. Performs music on a set of handbells. Each student is responsible to play one or a few bells, with each bell representing one note, that, when played together, is like a single instrument. 

Handbell Ensemble (Grades 7-8) Maximum 20 students per group. Performs music on a set of handbells. Each student is responsible to play one or a few bells, with each bell representing one note, that, when played together, is like a single instrument. 

Liturgy Choir (Grades 5-8) Students learn liturgical music that they will sing and cantor during Mass and services throughout the school year. 

Liturgy Ensemble (Grades 5-8) Students learn liturgical music on their instruments that they will play as a group during Mass and services throughout the school year. 

Select ensembles are comprised of students who demonstrate the ability to undertake the study of more complex music.  Entrance to the select ensembles is based on audition or teacher recommendation, and is left to the discretion of the Ensemble Director/s. Select ensembles include: Chamber, Guitar, String, and Select Choir.

Visual and dramatic art opportunities will be offered through the Co-Curricular Program. 

Dance classes include: Creative Movement: Preschool, Ballet and Tap: Kindergarten, Ballet, Tap, and Jazz: Grades 1&2, Ballet, Tap, and Jazz: Grades 3&4, and Intro to Dance Cultures & Movement Modalities: Grades 5-8.