The primary mission of the Millikin University Preparatory Department is to foster a lifelong love and enjoyment of music for students of all ages from the greater Decatur area, to enhance their musical knowledge and performance expertise, and to create a companionable link between the university and the community.
For over 100 years, Millikin University’s School of Music has provided quality music lessons for students of all ages from Decatur and surrounding communities. Today, that tradition continues as highly-trained faculty and upper-level students teach in their areas of expertise. Our programs have expanded to include the Millikin Children's Choir Program, summer music camps, Music & Movement classes for preschoolers, and other new opportunities. Prep Department families receive the “PrepNotes” newsletter three times a year, and are offered various “Prep Perks” including discounted tickets to specified events at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
For the current issue of PrepNotes, click HERE.
Announcing: Summer 2012 Music Camps! This year's camps include the annual "Summer Sings", "Music Alive" and beginning and intermediate Guitar Camps as well as two new offerings: Music Theory and High School Piano Camp. Click HERE for information and registration for all camps; see the link on the right column of this page for specific information and registration form for the High School Piano Camp.
Program Descriptions
Applied Music Lessons
Participants: Ages 6 through adult
Piano: Ages 6 and up
Guitar: Ages 10 and up
Orchestral/Band Instruments: Ages 10 and up
Voice: Ages 14 and up
Suzuki method violin: Ages 3 and up
The Applied Music program offers individual lessons in piano, voice, guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion, and string instruments. Instructors include School of Music faculty members, Preparatory faculty, and upper-level students. Students may choose 30-minute, 45-minute or one hour lessons. Lessons are offered in both fall and spring semesters, with many instructors also available for summer lessons. Students have the opportunity to perform in recitals held monthly in Millikin’s beautiful Kaeuper Hall or Pilling Chapel. To view the recommended learning outcomes/guidelines for each instrument area, click HERE. Contact the Prep Department for rates and availability, or click HERE for information for the 2011-12 school year.
The Millikin Children's Choir Program
Participants: Children Ages 5-18
KinderChoir: Ages 5-6 years
Apprentice Singers: Ages 6-8 years
Singers Choir: Ages 8-12 years
Concert Youth Chorale: Ages 12-18 years
The Millikin Children's Choir Program is a regional choir dedicated to bringing the joy of singing and the lasting development of musical knowledge and skill to all participants. The choirs are conducted by master choral teachers with advanced music degrees and under the direction of Melissa Miller, Program & Artistic Director. The choirs incorporate a broad-based choral repertoire from all cultures and centuries, and they perform on the Millikin campus and for community events. Special events may include tours to surrounding schools, joint concerts with other children’s choirs, and a choir festival. Placement interviews and registration for the choirs are held in early fall or by request. Click HERE to visit the MCC web page (with links to current schedules, forms, etc.), and HERE for a brochure.
Music and Movement Class
Participants: Children ages birth through four years and their parents
Music & Movement is a series of classes that consist of playful traditional folksongs and rhymes that are easily learned and can be shared at home. The goal is to give each child early experiences that will enrich their musical development. The classes meet once a week on Saturday mornings for 10 weeks in spring and fall, and are taught by Early Childhood Music Specialist Christine Smith. Click HERE to learn more.
Summer Music Camps
Participants: Children Ages 5-18
The Prep Department offers a variety of summer music experiences for children of all ages. Summer Sings, the annual Children’s Choir Camp, is held for one week in June. Each year the camp takes on a new theme and includes daily choral practice, a variety of electives, and a combined finale concert. Adventures in Music/Music Alive is a one-week exploration of musical creativity for elementary/middle school-aged children, including the opportunity to craft their own music in Millikin’s state-of-the-art computer lab. Other summer activities have included a youth jazz band, a preparatory academy for serious young instrumentalists, and a high-school music camp. Contact the Prep Department in early spring for this year’s offerings.
Children’s Orff “Funsemble”
Participants: Children in Grades 1 - 5
Join the fun! Make music with other area elementary-aged students using the Orff Schulwerk approach to music education. Based on musical play, children use percussion instruments, recorders, singing, improvisation, and movement to gain musical skills, develop creativity, and have fun! Under the direction of Dr. Catherine Tu, Millikin’s elementary music specialist, and assisted by Millikin music education students. Class held spring semester.
Beginning suzuki violin
Participants: Children ages 4-7 and their parents
Led by Dr. Sharon Chung, this sampler class is an introduction to parents and their children aged 4-7 who are interested in learning more about the Suzuki method of violin instruction. Dr. Suzuki's "mother tongue" method incorporates the ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, learning with other children, and listening. No prior musical experience is necessary. Following completion of the sampler, students may continue studying with Dr. Chung thorough private lessons and group Suzuki class. Eight week session offered fall semester on Mondays, 4:00-4:45 pm.
For information and registration, contact:
Millikin University School of Music
Preparatory Department
1184 W. Main Street
Decatur, IL 62522
217.425.4698
tcunningham@millikin.edu