Courtyard Flute Choir Academy
For summer 2025, we’re offering an advanced beginners class and an adult class.
Everything Flute
Come have some fun as part of our summer Flute Choir Academy for advancing beginners and intermediate students who love to play the flute.
Courtyard Flute Academy includes lots of ensemble /flute choir playing. We’ll also listen to a famous flute piece each week.
Classes may also include spotlight coaching, depending on student interest.
We’ll touch on three themes during the course of the academy, applying our themes to ensemble repertoire as well as coaching.
Overview
Summer Flute Themes
Flute themes for 2025 will be announced based on final confirmation of participating students.
Our focus Flute Themes for the 2024 academy were:
- Listening vs. Reading (What’s your brain doing?!)
- Articulation
- Intelligent Practicing
Interested?
If you are the parent of an advancing beginner or an adult student, please email our flute teacher directly by no later than June 20th for placement information at: sarah@pakmusic.org
- Location: The Courtyard and World Music Studio at 10 Irving Street in Worcester
Ages for Summer Flute Academy
Some summers, we are open for all ages.
For 2025, we’ll be hosting:
- Advancing beginners. Usually this means at least one year of playing your instrument; roughly grades 5 to 8. Placement is according to level of playing.
- Adult students – intermediate level.
Not sure which group? We’ll ask for some more information about your experience.
More About Levels
Some summers, we are open for all ages.
For 2025, we’re scheduling advancing beginners, defined as:
- Ability to maintain a steady beat
- Familiarity with time signatures of 4/4, 3/4 and 2/4.
- Ability to read quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes
- Ability to play from low E to high (3rd octave) C, including:
- B Flat, E Flat, A Flat and F Sharp.
Adult Students should be able to:
- Maintain a steady beat
- Read time signatures in 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, cut-time, and 6/8.
- Fluent reading of all rhythmic combinations (from whole notes to sixteenth notes, including dotted rhythms).
- Manage the full range of the instrument (low C to third octave A/B)
Summer Flute Academy Details for 2025
Schedule 2025
One Hour class.
Meeting once-a-week; sometimes twice a week in July and/or August, for a total of 5 gatherings. We’ll set a day, specific dates and time according to student availability.
Group Times 2025
Usually late afternoon or early evening. Times will be set pending review of schedules with interested students.
Interested?
Please email our teacher Sarah Smongeski to express interest prior to June 20th. Sarah will be reviewing placement, groupings, and schedules during June.
Tuition 2025 - TBC
Tuition will be set based on size of group and final schedule.
- 2025 Tuition TBC
- 2024 Tuition: Group 1 Tuition – $190 and Group 2 Tuition – $220
Tuition is due at time of registration. Tuition is non-refundable.
If you cannot afford the tuition, please let Sarah Smongeski know when making initial contact.
We can potentially arrange for split billing or advise on whether you might qualify for financial aid.
Summer Flute Academy Details for Prior Year of 2024
Schedule 2024
Once-a-week on Wednesdays.
Six meetings:
- Wednesday, June 26
- no classes week of July 4th;
- July 10, 17, 24, 31
- August 7 – Warm Up Class and 7:00 pm Concert
Group Times 2024
Group 1 – Advanced Beginners: 4:00 to 4:50 pm
Group 2 – Intermediates: 5:00 to 6:30 pm
Concert Evening
August 7, 2024
6:00 to 7:00 pm
We’ll play ensemble music for families and guests.
In the Courtyard or in Vinton Hall, depending on weather.
Tuition 2024
- Group 1 Tuition – $190
- Group 2 Tuition – $220
Tuition is due at time of registration. Tuition is non-refundable.
If you cannot afford the tuition, please email us at info@pakmusic.org to review payment options.
We can also advise on whether you might qualify for financial aid.
Which Level?
Choose: Advanced Beginners group 1 or Intermediates group 2.
Group 1 is available to flute players who are part of a small group, band or orchestra program and/or who study privately. Usually 2 to 4 years of playing experience, depending on student.
Group 2 is primarily for those who take private lessons; grades 8 and up (adults welcome); Depending on age and reading ability, we will consider students (by screening) who do not currently take lessons. Usually, students will be in grades 8 to 12 although younger and older students welcome, including adults, if you fit reading and technical guidelines.
Teacher
Pakachoag Flute teacher Sarah Smongeski
What to Expect
Group 1: We’ll arrange a short screening to make sure the Group 1 level is appropriate for you. (We want everyone to be successful if you join).
For everyone: We’ll provide a set of ensemble pieces (depending on your group assignment) to prepare in advance.
Early registration encouraged – and you’ll receive music a little sooner.
Student Spotlights will be part of each class.
Students can request to participate as a spotlight student when registering.
Spotlight Students will be asked to prepare one short piece (about a half page for Group 1; full page for Group 2) to play for the spotlight portion of a class.
Focus Flute Themes for this year’s academy are:
- Listening vs. Reading (What’s your brain doing?!)
- Articulation
- Intelligent Practicing