our MISSION IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS OF ALL AGES WITH EDUCATIONAL AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSICAL STYLES OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSICAL MUSIC GENRE.

These styles may include Jazz, Rock, Country, Folk, Hip-Hop and World Music. The teaching of these styles will be informed by the instructors' knowledge of traditional Western Musical notation and Theory as well as their professional experience in the musical style being presented.

 

Upcoming Events

 

Classes in the Contemporary Music Department

 
Featured

Rock Ensembles

Our Contemporary Music Department is now offering this fun and exciting class, Rock Ensemble, taught by Ali Thomas. Students need to be recommended and/or audition. This class is performance oriented.

Fall 2023
Wednesday 5-6pm
$125/semester

Percussion

Beginning students perform together and practice djembe, cymbals, tambourine, triangle and simple mallet playing in an ensemble setting. Emphasis on rhythm and following conductor cues. Ages 8-13. $175

Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
Monday 2:30-3:30pm Farmin-Stidwell Elementary
Wednesday 2:30-3:30pm Kootenai Elementary

Introduction to Jazz

Learn the fundamentals of improvisation, study the history of Jazz, our country's "Classical Music", get to know the Jazz Greats and learn the theory and notation used for playing and understanding Jazz music. This introductory course is a prerequisite for joining the MCS Jazz Ensemble, a performance oriented group which competes at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival each year.

Fall 2023 not offered

Jazz Ensemble

This performance-oriented small group is open to students playing any instrument or singing at a fairly competent level. The group plays Jazz standards in a combo setting from many styles of Jazz including Bebop, Cool, Swing, and Latin. Audition is required as well as the prerequisite "Introduction to Jazz" class, which can be taken in conjunction with this class. Goals for the group are rehearsing Jazz standards to a performance level with several local and regional performances throughout the year including the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Audition required • Recommended for Ages 13+

Fall 2023
Mondays 5:00-6:30pm
$125 /semester

 

The Instructors

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Ali Thomas, Department Head, Percussion

Ali has taught West African drumming for 20 years. She also teaches guitar, orchestra percussion and trap set/drum kit. She teaches children and adults of all ages; in large groups or one-on-one private lessons. Ali has deep musical roots, and began her training at the young age of 4, singing in the family band. After learning piano, flute, tenor sax, bass guitar and guitar, Ali found her true passion in West African style drumming, which lead to drum kit and other percussion. She has been to Guinea, West Africa three times to study traditional drumming of the Mandingue ethnic group. Ali has also brought drum masters, from the tradition, to the United States, to collaboratively host international workshops. These workshops were part of her work as Assistant Director of Tam Tam Mandingue, an international school of West African drumming. Ali’s goal is to teach the joy of percussion and rhythmic success to as many people as possible, whether through hand drumming, kit drumming, or in orchestra in the percussion section.

 
 
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Truck Mills, Guitar

Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Truck Mills has been performing professionally for over 40 years. Originally from the Seattle area, he moved to the Sandpoint area in 1993. In addition to maintaining a busy performing schedule, he has been giving private guitar lessons, from beginner to advanced, both at home and at Boulder Creek and Northwest Academies for nearly 20 years and now joins the Conservatory in our Contemporary Music Department. Truck draws from his background and interest in a wide range of musical styles as he strives to tailor lessons to the interests of each student, and to encourage and motivate them to express their own musical personality.

 

Sheldon Packwood, Guitar + Bass Guitar

Sheldon has been mentoring aspiring guitarists and bassists of all ages for over twenty years. After a forty-year career as a touring and studio musician on multiple instruments, he returned to his hometown of Sandpoint and has continued to perform with regional musicians on a regular basis. His experience performing in multiple musical genres allows him to tailor lessons to fit each student’s unique needs.


 
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Denis Zwang, Clarinet + Flute + Oboe + Saxaphone

Denis Zwang teaching experience spans several decades. He is a well versed instructor and specialist on many of the woodwind instruments, including the saxophone, flute and clarinet. Aside from teaching, Mr. Zwang actively performs with orchestras, as a solo artist, and has a rich history with recording studios and National Artists. Mr. Zwang is currently teaching saxophone, clarinet, flute and oboe at the Music Conservatory.