Music Programs

The joy of music. Novices and professionals alike have considered us an invaluable music education resource for over 40 years. We are proud of our reputation for providing the highest quality instruction and innovative programming, meeting the changing needs and interests of music professionals, amateur musicians, and music enthusiasts. Contact us by calling 608-265-5629 or by e-mail.

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Music programs include

• Continuing Education Classes - Study music in the Madison area through noncredit classes and workshops. We offer many classes, including music appreciation, fundamentals, composition, music technology, early music, performance ensembles, and beginning and intermediate classes in piano, voice, guitar, strings, and various ethnic and folk instruments, ensembles, and vocal traditions. Visit the catalog of classes.
  
  
• Professional Development - For over 40 years, professional musicians and music educators have come to the UW-Madison each summer to study with acclaimed artist/teachers. These programs offer unique artistic and educational opportunities for school music teachers, private teachers, performers, teacher educators, and conductors, as well as university students.
  
  
• Madison Early Music Festival - Musicians, scholars, and enthusiasts from around the country gather for a week in July to enjoy, discuss, and perform music composed before 1750. There are classes, lectures, and performing opportunities for everyone from the novice to the expert, and six public concerts featuring world-renowned artists-in-residence, faculty, and students. University credit and CEUs available for workshop participants.
  
  
• National String Instrument Repair Clinics - These intensive clinics provide hands-on experiences for those interested in learning to repair string instruments.  And – new in 2011 – Harp Maintenance Workshops for lever and pedal harps!  Participants work on their own projects under the guidance of skilled specialists. Clinics include: Basic/Beginning Repair, Intermediate Repair (both for violin, viola, cello), Fretted Instrument Repair, Bow Repair, Lever Harp Maintenance, Pedal Harp Maintenance.
  

• Online music - We offer noncredit courses that can be taken entirely via e-mail or the Internet. Like all independent study programs, you can register for Celtic Music: Regional Cultures and Modern Success , Music Theory: Create Your Own Course or Create Your Own Music anytime! Music 351, Basic Concepts of Music, is a 15-week online credit course which runs on the regular campus schedule.
  
  
• Independent Learning - Enjoy the flexibility and convenience of studying at home on your own schedule. Receive detailed professional feedback through mail-in assignments. Music theory, music history, appreciation, jazz studies, and world music courses are offered for credit and CEUs. A world music course designed especially for music educators are also available.
  
  
• Educational Video Series - Clinics on Cassettes is a comprehensive set of instructional videos for use in the music classroom, the studio, or self-directed learning. Renowned artist/teachers share their expertise in strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, keyboard, jazz, general music, and ensemble development. Tapes available individually. Most titles are available on VHS and DVD.
  

Also of interest

• School of the Arts at Rhinelander - An extensive music program including choral, folk singing, instrumental lessons, music appreciation is held every summer in the north woods of Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
  
  
• UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic: In two separate sessions (Junior High and High School), music students join together for a week of creative skill building through rehearsals in band, orchestra and choir, as well as a variety of classes.
  

Related resources

• UW-Madison School of Music: Offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, and has opportunities for non-major participation in performing ensembles, as well as opportunities for community adults to perform in university-community ensembles. It also offers an astounding number of concerts featuring its world-class faculty, guest artists, and students performing in ensembles and recitals.
  
  
• School of Music Community Music Lesson Program: Offers a program of private vocal and instrumental lessons with graduate students for students of all ages.
  
  
• Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras: WYSO is made up of 365 young musicians performing in four levels of orchestras. The organization provides a challenging, non-competitive learning environment where students can become excellent musicians and develop a life-long appreciation of music.
  
  
• Wisconsin Union Theater: Classical concert Series, World Music Festival & Concerts, Isthmus Jazz Series and more!
  
  
• Wisconsin Center for Music Education: Serves music teachers, students and community members with diverse music education programs and resources.

Contact information

Madison area non-credit classes, professional development workshops, MEMF: Chelcy Bowles, 608-265-5629, e-mail: cbowles@dcs.wisc.edu. About Chelcy Bowles

Distance learning and web-enhanced classes: Jamie Henke-Paustian, 608-263-6822, e-mail: jhenke@dcs.wisc.edu. About Jamie Henke-Paustian

Photo by Jeff Miller