Christ Methodist Day School is excited to have the Maxine Moore Music Academy as part of its enrichment offerings.
The MMMA was founded in 2005, thanks to a generous donation made by Mr. Ray Moore in honor of his late wife, Maxine Moore. Our goal is to bring glory to God by providing excellent musical instruction that will enable our students to achieve their personal best in musical expression. All MMMA instructors are dedicated Christian professionals with college degrees or Music Conservatory certificates in their respective fields. Private instrument and voice lessons and ROCK 3:16 praise band classes are open to the community.
Lessons
Piano
Piano classes incorporate learning the skill of reading music as well as theory. Pupils study the language of music and learn to communicate on a musical level. Music appreciation will also be approached once a month studying famous composers. At certain levels the iPad will be used to allow them to listen and play along with orchestral background music to familiar pop and classical songs.
Organ
Although it looks much like a piano, learning the organ involves an additional set of skills. The student can expect to learn bass pedal technique, the use of drawbars and the volume pedal. The fundamental techniques and theory of music are fairly universal and of equal importance, but the repertoire and the mandated techniques that the student will learn are unique to the organ.
Guitar
Beginners learn the standard music fundamentals: Staff, time signature, note divisions, melody, accompaniment. They play songs from the public domain as well as those of their choosing as they advance. Continuing students learn scales, modes, harmony, theory, repertoire and the elements of several styles, including rock, jazz, blues, and pop. Electric and acoustic guitar are equally suitable.
Bass Guitar
This course is for the electric bass guitar and focuses on the beginner. The student can expect to learn the name of the notes on the instrument and the various ways in which the bass guitar interacts within the rhythm section. There is an emphasis on arpeggios and following common charts. An introduction to the blues will precede rock, jazz, pop and other contemporary musical formats.
Violin & Viola
Beginning students build a foundation for solid playing skills, healthy practice habits, and a basis for musical understanding.Students learn proper stance or sitting position and how to hold the instrument and bow. They can expect to develop strong fundamental technique that includes correct bow pressure, legato and staccato techniques, intonation and the fundamentals for producing a beautiful sound.
Cello
Beginning students build a foundation for solid playing skills, healthy practice habits, and a basis for musical understanding. Students learn proper stance or sitting position and how to hold the instrument and bow. They can expect to develop strong fundamental technique that includes correct bow pressure, legato and staccato techniques, intonation and fundamentals for producing a beautiful sound.
Drums
This beginner course uses the trap set. Students learn rhythmic fundamentals, including the parts and names of the drum kit, note divisions, time signature, tempo and dynamics. Aside from standard “back-beats” and 6/8 ballads, there will also be fills and beat variations. Everything in this course pertains to the drum kit as an element in an ensemble situation.
Woodwinds
The two most important things a beginning woodwind player will learn are the position and tension of the lips, or embouchure, and which combination of keys produces each note. As the student progresses, the teacher will introduce simple, short and recognizable melodies and teach exercises to improve finger dexterity and breath control, as well as elements needed for good tone.
Low Brass
The embouchure, which is the pressure and position of the lips, is essential to learning any brass instrument. The student will learn which combinations of the three valves, or in the case of the trombone, the seven positions, will produce each pitch. The student will learn breath control, theory and repertoire, which will be studied by reading notes, specifically using the bass clef.
Voice
Beginner students can expect to learn about posture, diction, tension-free singing and breath management. As they continue, they will advance into vowel-shaping, the foundation of good tone and resonance, and smooth vocal transition. The repertoire will vary to demonstrate and become familiar with assorted techniques. Stage presence and confidence is emphasized in preparation for recitals and performances.
ROCK 3:16
The primary genre for this band class is driven by the group’s musical tastes. Students learn to work and perform as a band, using pop, praise, and country music, as well as rock ‘n roll standards. Returning bands learn about multi-track recording, traditional and modern promotion, and audio/video production. They’re encouraged and assisted to perform in the community. Past engagements include Mid-South Fair Talent Show, Hard Rock Café, The Sky Zone, and private parties.
Instructors
After playing in rock combos in the late seventies, Rick moved to San Antonio to study under Jackie King and jazz legend Herb Ellis at the Southwest Guitar Conservatory. Upon returning to Memphis, he immediately began giving lessons and playing the local venues. His house gigs have included (but are not limited to) The Peabody, Grand Casino, and Adams Mark hotels, and clubs on Beale Street. He developed “Rock School” in the early nineties, and later, ROCK 3:16. Between those dates, he authored the three-book series; “The Young Christians’ Guitar Method”. Rick has given an estimated 30,000 guitar lessons, which is evidenced by the fact that his former students have sold millions of records. On any given night they may be seen performing from Beale Street to stadiums around the world.
Beth is a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. She is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music with a degree in viola performance. An active free-lancer in the Mid-South, she formed the Beth Luscombe Strings and performs for numerous special music occasions. She has performed and recorded for many high profile commercial artists including Rod Stewart, Al Green and Kallen Esperia. She counts The Lion King, My Fair Lady and South Pacific among her theater works. Beth currently performs with numerous churches, the Eroica Orchestra, The Jackson (TN) Symphony, the IRIS Orchestra, and the Orpheum Theatre Orchestra. Before coming to Memphis, she was assistant principal of the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico and the Ohio Chamber Orchestra. In Cleveland, she had an active private teaching studio and was a faculty member of the Cleveland Institute of Music. To learn more, click on the photo.
Jennifer Proseus enjoys teaching children the joy of music. She earned her bachelors of Music in voice and a masters of music in Orff music from University of Memphis. She is a certified in Orff Level I, II, III, and masterclass. Jennifer has taught music at Christ Methodist Day School since 2015 where she directs the Spirit Singers Choir, an auditioned Honor Choir, and various musical programs during the school year. She also directs a children’s choir and sings in the Chancel Choir at Bartlett United Methodist Church. Jennifer serves on the regional board of the West Tennessee General Music Association. In her spare time, Jennifer loves reading, relaxing, learning new things, and spending time with her husband and their two daughters.
Marilyn’s love for music started from a young age. She began studying classical piano and hymns at the age of seven. From there, she went on to study music in college, earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of Memphis and her master’s degree from Belmont University. After college, Marilyn taught elementary music classes, piano and choir for several years. She was also a pianist and soloist at her church for twenty-five years. She enjoys sharing her experience and love for music with the students at CMDS.
Contact MMMA
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