Instrumental Ensembles

Music Instrumental Ensembles

If you play an instrument, you need to enroll in one of our exciting music ensembles. Group or ensemble playing is vital to your overall musical progress. All Academy music ensembles perform regularly and tour. Ask about special pricing options.

Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra

An advanced full orchestra for students in grades 9 - 12, and for college age students age 20 or younger. The flagship of the Youth Symphony program, the Symphony Orchestra performs standard orchestral repretoire and new compositions. The Symphony Orchestra is by audition only! For more information on auditions, please click here. A winter and spring concert at the University is scheduled each year, along with tours and collaborative performances with other Academy ensembles and visiting youth orchestras. Join master conductor Mr. Dan Mays.

Register Now: Instrumental Ensembles Registration Form (PDF)

Youth Honors Orchestra Schedule/Info.

Fall 2012
Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra begins	September 10 - 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
No Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra	November 21-25
Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra ends	December 17
Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra Concert	December 18

Spring 2013
Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra begins	January 28 - 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
No Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra	March 18-24
Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra ends	May 20
Youth Honor Symphony Orchestra Concert	May 21

Academy Orchestra

Academy Orchestra is an intermediate orchestra for students in grades 5 - 10. The Academy Orchestra performs original compositions and arragnements of symphonic music. By Audition. For more information on auditions, please click here.

Register Now: Academy Orchestra Registration Form

Fall 2012
Academy Orchestra begins	September 6 - 6:30-8:00 pm
No Academy Orchestra	November 21-25
Academy Orchestra ends	December 13
Academy Orchestra Concert	December 18

Spring 2013
Academy Orchestra begins	January 31 - 6:30-8:00 pm
No Rehearsals	March 18-24
Academy Orchestra ends	May 16
Academy Orchestra Concert	May 21

Prelude String Orchestra

For students in grades 4 - 7 who are new to reading music in an orchestral ensemble. Students should have completed Suzuki Book I (or equivalent) and have beginning note-reading skills.

Register Now: Prelude String Orchestra Ensemble Registration Form (PDF)

Fall 2012
Prelude String Orchestra begins	September 6 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
No Prelude String Orchestra	November 21-25
Prelude String Orchestra ends	December 13
Prelude String Orchestra Concert	TBA

Spring 2013
Prelude String Orchestra begins	January 31 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
No Rehearsals	March 18-24
Prelude String Orchestra ends	May 6
Prelude String Orchestra Concert	TBA

World Drum Circle

For students grade 4 - 7. No experience necessary. World drums of all types will be explored.

Register Now: World Drum Circle Registration Form (PDF)

World Drum Circle Schedule/Info.

New for Spring 2013!! There are now two sections of World Drum Circle. One section of World Drum Circle will meet on Monday and the other section will meet on Wednesday. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up today!!
All rehearsals take place in the Echols Building located on Waldron Road next to the Stubblefield Center.

Fall 2012
World Drum Circle begins	September 5 - 4:15-5:15 pm
Tours and Special performances	TBA
World Drum Circle Performance	TBA
World Drum Circle ends	December 5

Spring 2013
World Drum Circle Monday class begins	January 14 - 4:15-5:15 pm
World Drum Circle Wednesday class begins	January 16 - 4:15-5:15 pm
No Rehearsals	March 18-24
Tours and Special performances	TBA
World Drum Circle ends	May 6; May 8
Spring Concert for World Drum Circle	TBA

Flute Choir

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to develop your ensemble playing and experience the beautiful sounds of a flute choir. Two groups are offered: Junior Flute Choir - one year of flute lessons required to participate.

Advanced Flute Choir - this group is by audition only.

Register Now: Flute Choir Registration Form

Flute Choir Schedule/Info.

Junior Flute Choir rehearses every Monday from 6-7 pm and Advanced Flute Choir rehearses every Monday from 7-8 pm. All rehearsals take place in the Echols Building located on Waldron Road next to the Stubblefield Center. An audition for placement in each group will take place during the first two weeks of the regularly scheduled rehearsal times for each ensemble.

Fall 2012
Junior Flute Choir begins	September 10 - 6-7 pm
Advanced Flute Choir begins	September 10 - 7-8 pm
Tours and Special performances	TBA
Junior Flute Choir Ends	December 3
Advanced Flute Choir Ends	December 3
Flute Choir Performance	TBA

Spring 2013
Junior Flute Choir begins	January 14 - 6-7 pm
Advanced Flute Choir begins	January 14 - 7-8 pm
No Rehearsals	March 18-24
Tours and Special performances	TBA
Junior Flute Choir ends	May 6
Advanced Flute Choir ends	May 6
Spring Concert for Flute Choir	TBA

Music Theory

Have you ever wondered what all those signs and symbols mean on the music staff? Or maybe you wonder what a music staff is? Do you know the difference between the treble and bass clef? This class is a great addition to your private lesson as it will significantly increase your knowledge of music.

Music Theory I introduces students to the fundamentals of music theory with an initial focus on developing reading fluency in both treble and bass clef. Major topics will include identifying key signatures, major and minor scales, intervals, triad qualities, and seventh chord qualities. The class also incoroporates elementary ear-training and sight-singing exercises, as well as a brief introduction to keyboard geography into the lesson. This class is open to all students in grades 7-12.

Music Theory II students will study various composition techniques including form, counterpoint, orchestration, and arranging. To participate in this course, students must have completed Music Theory I.

Music Theory I will meet on Saturdays from 10:30am-11:30am and Music Theory will meet from 9:30am-10:30am. Both classes will meet from February 9-April 20 in Breedlove Room 201.

Register Now: Music Theory Registration Form

Tuition for Ensembles

Tuition for the Flute Choirs and Drum Circle is $110 each. Tuition for all other ensembles is $125 each. Tuition for Music Theory is $75. A $75 non-refundable deposit is due with all registration forms. The deposit is non-refundable. This will be applied to the tuition. You can not register without the deposit. The remaining tuition is due one or before the first lesson, unless you choose a payment plan. Contact the Academy office to set up a plan.

Please make checks payable to UAFS Academy of the Arts. You may also pay by credit card. Send payment and registration to Kathy Zeller, UA Fort Smith Academy of the Arts, PO Box 3649, Ft. Smith, AR 72913. For inquiries and credit card payment call Kathy Zeller at 479-788-7251.

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