Music Program
About the Music Program
The music program consists of chimes/handbells, strings, advanced choir, elementary choir, and beginning band.
There are mastery levels in all except the advanced choir (music is picked to intentionally move the vocal choir along). Each class is a group class. Placement in each upper level is decided by the director.
Grade level requirements:
Strings: 3rd -12th grade
Chimes: 3rd – 12th grade
Handbell choir: 4th – 12th grade
MS/HS choir: 7th – 12th grade
Elementary choir: 1st – 6th grade
Band: 6th -12th grade
SCIHE membership is required to join the music program. Ready to be a part of SCIHE? Membership can be found here.
There are 16 classes per semester with a concert at the end of each semester. Students are required to wear concert apparel for all performances.
How much does it cost?
Semester fees are $85 for the first student in a classification, $75 for the 2nd student from the same family in the same classification, and $65 for any subsequent students in the same family in the same classification.
For example, if a family has three children in various levels of the strings program, they would pay a total of $225 (made out to the strings director) the first day of class.
If a family has three children, one in strings, one in chimes, and one
in choir, they would pay $255 ($85 to each director).
The same $255 would be paid by a family with only one child in music who is in band, handbells, and choir ($85 to each director).
*Both MS/HS Choir & Elementary Choir have an additional $5 sheet music fee per student.
Strings, band, and sometimes chimes only accept new beginners in August, so if you plan to start a new instrument, please join us now! There are limited openings in chimes/handbells.
Parental Commitment:
Parents of students commit to providing string or band instruments, if necessary, helping their student practice at home, being a great cheerleader for their student’s progress, and covering study hall monitor duty a few times a semester.
Band members will need to purchase their instrument, a music stand, and Essential Elements for band book 1 (specific for your child’s instrument).
If you have questions or would like to register your child please contact the music coordinator at Music@scihe.org
Strings
Violin Trio is a traveling choir of competent strings players (as determined by the director). Students will perform at various venues (nursing homes and the like)
when possible.
Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced/Orchestra/Ensemble Strings classes are taught at the discretion of the director.
Vocal Choir
Choir students will learn beginning vocal technique, sight-singing skills, and music theory.
Choir instruction will be in sacred, patriotic, foreign language, traditional, and classical music.
Band
Each band student will be required to provide his/her own instrument, folding music stand, Method book, 2nd book (concert band only) and pencil.
▪ Method book for beginning band – Essential Elements Book 1
▪ Method book for concert band is Essential Elements Book 2
▪ 2nd required book for concert band: Patriotic Favorites
– Students will learn to care for their instruments, play them with proper technique and form and begin to develop skills in listening, playing, and sight-reading.
– The director will determine requirements for graduation from the beginning band.
– Band music includes sacred, patriotic, classical, traditional, and Christmas.
Band instruments include:
▪ Woodwind: piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone
▪ Brass: cornet, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba
▪ Percussion: drums, bells
Handbells & Chimes
Handbell class is for experienced ringers by directors’ invitation, with a maximum of 13 ringers.
Chimes class minimum grade is 3 rd , with a maximum of 11 ringers. All beginning handbell players, regardless of age, will start in chimes.
The bell choirs can be combined if the number of students warrants. Students will learn the basic techniques for handbell and chimes ringing.
– Gloves must be worn at all times when ringing. These must be purchased from the director. Current fee is $6 per pair.
– Handbell music will be sacred, classical, and seasonal music. Occasionally, we will add additional instruments and narrations.
Meet the Directors
Middle School/High School Choir – Michelle Farnsworth
Mrs. Farnsworth previously served as choir director at Sandy Hook United Methodist Church for 17 years. She currently directs both the adult and children’s choirs at St. Agnes in Nashville. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Music and Organ and has also studied voice.
Elementary Choir – Crystal Laws
Crystal earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice from the University of Oklahoma. She has been conducting children’s choirs since 2014 and currently enjoys singing in the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Chorus. Besides homeschooling her three children, she loves making music with her family and cuddling with her many cats.
Band – Aaron Laws
Aaron holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Music from Indiana University both in Horn Performance. He is a full time freelance software developer and married to Crystal Laws with three children.
Strings – Vanessa Edwards
As a founding member of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic orchestra, Vanessa Edwards has enjoyed
seeing the organization flourish over the past 38 years. She has been the Principal Second Violin and
Production Manager since 1998, the Education Director since 2004 and the Philharmonic Youth
Orchestra Conductor since the fall of 2009. However, her association with the CIP goes back further.
She was a participant in the first CIP (then Columbus Pro Music) strings classes in 1972. It’s only fitting
that she is the CIP Education Director today and manages (and teaches many of) the CIP strings classes
in Columbus elementary schools and organizes the CIP strings camp every summer.
Vanessa has shared her love of music and the violin with thousands of area children over the years. She
feels very rewarded when she sees students become excited about making music and confident with
their instrument. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband Greg, son Nick,
daughter-in-law Sarah, daughter Shelby and two grandchildren, Dylan and Milo.
Handbells & Chimes – Lindsey Fugill
Lindsey serves as the organist and worship leader at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, where she also directs several vocal and handbell choirs. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Concordia University Wisconsin.