Groups & Ensembles

Registration Steps:

1. Create your account and register for the appropriate group or ensemble here.
2. The office will confirm your registration.
3. You will receive an enrollment notification and payment link via e-mail to access your portal.
4. An email will be sent one week before the first rehearsal starts with important details.

There is a nonrefundable $20 registration fee per family per semester. Please see Payment Policies for additional information.

Discounts

Family discount: Families registering three or more students or registering for lessons on three or more instruments/groups/ensembles during the same transaction will receive a 10 percent discount off the family’s total tuition for the semester. The discount does not apply towards the registration fee or the monthly payment plan fee.

Eligibility

Introduce your child to the joy of music through singing, movement, rhythm, pitch, creative play, composers and musical styles, and hands-on exploration of musical instruments. Students develop foundational musical skills while learning about composers, musical styles, and expressive movement in a fun, engaging environment. Musical Beginnings is an excellent first music experience for young children ages 3-6, before beginning private lessons or instrumental study. 

Instructor: Brittany Quinn and Selma Winters

Schedule – UNW

• Mondays, 9:30–10:00 a.m., Totino Fine Arts Center F2211 (Choir Room)
• Meets for 6 classes each semester; 2 fall sessions offered (class may not be repeated).
• Fall 2026 dates:
  • Session 1: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19
  • Session 2: October 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Spring 2026 dates: January 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2, 16, 30 (no classes March 9 & 23); April 6, 13, 20, 27 

Tuition

• No tuition (6 weeks; 30-min classes)

Piano Beginnings introduces students to the fundamentals of piano playing in a collaborative group setting. Students learn note reading, rhythm, technique, scales, chords, music theory, improvisation, and ear training while performing both solo and ensemble music. Our piano lab allows each student to receive individualized instruction while enjoying the motivation and camaraderie of learning alongside peers.

Students meet in a piano lab equipped with multiple digital pianos. Each student plays on a digital piano with weighted keys and uses headphones so that the instructor can listen to and communicate with each student individually. The instructor has the ability to listen to each student alone or in combined groups. 

Instructor: Dr. Richard Lange

Advantages to Class Piano

• Students are given time to work on what they learn during the lesson and are taught how to practice.
• The class gives the instructor time to cover not only the students’ pieces, but also music theory, improvisation, music history, note drills, scales, chords and ear training.
• Students motivate each other and enjoy lessons because of the group setting. They feel the camaraderie of their peers, much like the band and orchestra experiences at school.
• Students develop rhythm and ensemble skills by playing duet and group pieces with other students.

Eligibility

Piano Beginnings is available to beginners ages 6 and up with no previous piano experience. Students must be able to read and work independently. Parents of young students may be asked to stay to assist their child’s learning. 

Schedule

Piano Beginnings is offered on Mondays for 12 lessons with a final performance.

• Mondays, 6:00–6:45 p.m., Totino Fine Arts Center F2229 (Piano Lab)
• Fall 2026 dates: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 
• Spring 2026 classes: January 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2, 9, 30 (no classes March 16 & 23); April 6, 13, 20, 27

Requirements

• Students must have a piano or keyboard to practice on during the week.
• Practice outside of class is expected.

Book Requirements:

• Will be provided in class

Other:

• Pencil

Fall Recital: December 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Tuition

• $130 per semester (12 weeks; 45-min. sessions)

​Would you like to learn to play the guitar? Learn the basics of how to play the guitar as a solo and an accompaniment instrument with no experience needed.​ Each half-hour session will consist of scales, chords, history, and music theory.

Instructor: Glen Larson

Eligibility

No previous experience or knowledge needed. Ages 5 & up. Adults welcome!

Schedule

• Thursdays, 6:30–7:00 p.m., Nazareth Hall N3326
• Fall 2026 dates: September 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3
• Spring 2026 classes: January 29; February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 19, 26 (no class March 12), April 2, 9, 16, 23

Requirements

• Acoustic guitar

A note from our guitar instructor on selecting a guitar:

We like to see students start on a classical guitar – that is, a nylon string acoustic guitar. There are a variety of brands, and every music store carries them. Just about anything you get will most likely be acceptable for a beginner. One thing we can suggest is that you pay attention to the size of your child. Depending on their size, you may want to get a guitar that is not full size such as a 3/4 size. An advantage of the classical guitar is that it allows students to get into a full size a bit sooner than if they were playing a normal style steel string guitar.

Tuition

• $125 per semester (12 weeks; 30-min. sessions)

Violin Group complements private instruction by bringing violinists together to refine technique, strengthen ensemble skills, and prepare for performances in a collaborative setting. Drawing from the rich tradition of string pedagogy and group instruction from the influences of Paul Rolland and Mimi Zweig, students develop musicianship through ensemble playing, healthy technique refinement, positive performance practice, and peer learning. Students must be enrolled in private lessons to participate. 

Instructors: Brittany Quinn and Grace Abt

Eligibility

Violin Group will be for late Suzuki Book 1 level or equivalent on up. As a new student, you may enroll in violin lessons and group class simultaneously. Minimum age: 6 years

Must be enrolled in private lessons to participate, ability to read music recommended.

Schedule

Violin Group: Tuesdays, 4:30–5:15 p.m., Nazareth Hall N3326

• Fall 2026 dates: September 15, 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1
• Spring 2026 Dates: January 27; February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 17, 31 (no classes March 10 & 24); April 7, 14, 21, 28

Performance

• Fall – December 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in Nazareth Chapel 
• Spring – May 4, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in Nazareth Chapel

Tuition

• $180 per semester (12 weeks; 45-min sessions)

Vivace Voices Ensemble is for young singers who are ready to grow as musicians and performers. Repertoire includes a variety of musical styles, languages, and sacred and secular literature. Rehearsals incorporate healthy vocal technique, music literacy, sight-singing, and ear training, while preparing students for meaningful performances throughout the year. New singers may set up a time with the instructor to determine voice placement. 

Instructor: Kara Peterson

Eligibility

Students ages 9–16 who love to sing. No previous choral experience necessary. 

Schedule

• Mondays, 6:00–6:45 p.m., Totino Fine Arts Center F2211 (Choir Room)
• Meets for 12 rehearsals each semester
• Fall 2026 dates: September 14, 21, 28; October 5, 12, 19, 26; November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• Spring 2026 dates: January 26; February 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2, 16, 30 (no classes March 9 & 23); April 6, 13, 20, 27

Performances

• Eaglecrest: TBD, 10:30 a.m., (9:30 a.m. call time)
• Fall – Christmas at Northwestern Lobby Performance: TBD, 3:15 p.m. (2:15 p.m. call time)
• Fall 2026 Ensemble Recital Performance: Monday, December 7, 6:30 p.m., Nazareth Chapel
• Spring Ensemble Recital Performance: Monday, May 4, 6:30 p.m., Nazareth Chapel

Auditions

All new students may schedule a 10-minute voice placement meeting with the instructor. The opportunity allows the instructor to best understand the strengths and needs of each student and determine voice placement for part singing. 

Placement meetings will be held prior to the first rehearsal on September 14. Please contact the Academy at 651-631-5108 or email academymusic@unwsp.edu to schedule your time.

Tuition

• $180 per semester (12 weeks; 45-min rehearsals)

Designed for guitarists with previous playing experience, Guitar Ensemble provides the opportunity to rehearse and perform a diverse repertoire with fellow musicians. Students strengthen ensemble musicianship, listening skills, rhythm, and artistic expression while collaborating with players of varying experience levels in an encouraging performance environment. 

Instructor: Glen Larson

Eligibility

Guitarists with at least one semester of lesson experience and a working knowledge of first position, note reading, rhythm, and chords. Adults welcome!

Schedule

• Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Nazareth Hall, N3326 (3rd Floor Classroom)
• Meets for 6 rehearsals each semester
• Fall 2026 rehearsal dates: October 27; November 3, 10, 17, 24; December 1
• Spring 2026 rehearsal dates: March 24, 31; April 7, 14, 21, 28

Ensemble Performances

• Monday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m., Academy Ensemble Concert, Nazareth Chapel
• Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m., Academy Ensemble Concert, Nazareth Chapel

Tuition

• $80 per semester (6 weeks, 60-min. rehearsals)