Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - What began with a hope and plenty of prayer in 2003 has turned into a boon for music students and instructors.
The Grace Academy of Fine Arts is a division of the Grace College School of Music. Three years ago Prof. Tim Sandborn and his wife Ruth orchestrated a network of college students and professional music teachers, pairing them with students.
Today, GAFA has 23 teachers and more than 100 students each semester. The youngest student is 4; The oldest is 64.
"Most of the students are 14 years old and younger," Sandborn said at Beyer Music Hall on the Grace campus. "We start to see a drop when students reach middle school age; they, understandably, have other interests then."
Students are paired with instructors for private lessons. They also receive training in music theory, music history and get large-ensemble experience throughout the semester of study.
The Academy keeps the music school's graduate students busy, too. Most of the 17 new music majors are involved in the academy one way or another.
"Ruth and I do the lion's share of administrative chores," Sandborn said. "We collect checks and order music, so the college students concentrate on teaching. One student produces the newsletter, others are responsible for recital details and the competition in the spring.
"The object is to have graduating Grace seniors leave with teaching as well as administrative experience."
Because the Grace art department offers classes open to the public, the academy has scaled back and is not sponsoring art classes. Instead, the instruction is on traditional instruments and voice.
"If someone were set on learning to play the ukulele or harmonica, we would have to find an instructor," Sandborn said.
The spring semester students will be able to visit the piano lab near the Christian Performing Artists' office. A room is set up to hold nine electric pianos. The teacher can listen to all or just one student. The student, through a microphone and headphones, can communicate with the teacher.
Last year six recitals were scheduled in December to showcase all the students' work.
"In one recital, a little boy began to sing his song, got lost and burst into tears," Sandborn said. "He came back out as the last presentation, got through the song with no mistakes and everyone leapt to their feet cheering and clapping."
The academy has camp during the first week in June for 5 to 12 year olds. Next summer's theme is "The Chronicles of Narnia."
During a 12-week semester, lessons are offered on four different levels: $11 per half hour lesson with an associate teacher; $13 for a master teacher; $28 for a professional teacher; and $20 for a professional plus teacher. Forty-five-minute lessons are available. A deposit of $35 holds a spot with a teacher. A discount is available for paying in full by Nov. 11 or for enrolling second and third family members.
For more information, call 574-527-6489 or e-mail Sandborn at tim.sandborn@grace.edu
On the Net: www.musicatgrace.org
