A.) Students are welcome to enroll at any time!

To Enroll, simply EMAIL us and Request PDF Registration Packet...

HomeSchoolChoirs.Music@gmail.com

B.) We will EMAIL you three PDF Registration Forms. Feel free to sign them digitally if you are able or scan PDF and return them to us by email. Thank You.

1. Form #1 - Music Class Registration of Student

2. Form #2- Ave Maria HomeSchool Choirs & General Music Waiver and Release of Liability

3. Form #3- Ave Maria Master Association, Inc.             Participating In Events at Ave Maria Master Association Liability Agreement

   
   

   We are offering a professionally led choral and general music class where the student is enrolled to actively participate in the excitement of being a part of something bigger than himself or herself, developing his or her God given talents, and learning to sing as a group.

   
   

   Your child will benefit from our experienced approach in developing your child’s singing voice and engaging in highly interactive licensed materials used to effectively teach music.

   
   

4. $ Payment is required in advance. Your child will not be enrolled without the completed registration forms and full payment. Thank you.

   
   

   Payment is required for these choral and general music classes. Your child will not be enrolled in the class without the completed registration forms and full payment. Thank you.                                                                     

5. We accept advance Pre-PAYMENT of classes through Zelle at...

   HomeSchoolChoirs.Music@gmail.com

cash or check and we are “Step Up for Students”

tutor providers.

6. WHAT is the cost per class?

$25.00 per class is the tuition cost, once a week Wednesdays of the academic school year.

7. HOW many classes per session?

Each Session is to be prepaid in full at $25.00 per class times the number of classes remaining in that Session.

SESSIONS examples:

1st 10 week Session x $25 per class =$250

January 8th to March 19, No Class March 5th

2nd 10 week Session x $25 per class =$250

March 26 to May 28th.

Students are encouraged to attend consecutive Sessions of the academic school year 2024-2025 to optimize their on going sequential learning and musical developmental, understanding and overall growth in the choral participation and general music studies.

All classes are on Wednesday Mornings.

Proposed groupings of 60 minute Classes times are as follows,  9am: K-2nd; 10am: 3rd-5th; 11am: 6th-9th; 12pm: 9th-12th.

New Students are welcome to enroll at any time!!

See you there! Ave Maria South Park #2 Pavilion.

The very nature and discipline in the study of music requires that enrolled students commit to the full term of the classes in order to mature, develop musical growth, understanding and singing abilities with regular consistency.

Free sample or initial “try it and see" classes are not offered because it diminishes the integrity of the whole unifying choral experience when choir members come and go. It is impossible to assess from one early class all that will be experienced, learned and accomplished by the designed curriculum.

Ideally we would enjoy having your child for each session through the end of the 2025-2026 school year. 

Thank you for the investment and encouragement of your child's homeschool musical education. These lifetime skills will develop right and left brain hemispheres of memory, coordination, math, art, history, science and the understanding of the universal language of MUSIC.

……………………………………………………………………………

🎼 Singing is a great way to bring people together, forming a strong home schooling community ethos. Our goal is a homeschool choir community with its members meeting, making new friends and developing their singing enjoyment through active participation with others.

The goal is to present an opportunity for Ave Maria HomeSchool students to experience day time Choirs & General Music Classes, similar to public and private school students! We are passionate about making wonderful music memories for your children, creating Choirs & General Music Classes for HomeSchool Families. Singing is a great way to bring people together, forming a strong home

schooling community ethos.

Our goal is a homeschool choir community with its members meeting, make new friends and developing their singing enjoyment through active participation with others. Also the parents will meet other like-minded parents who also value the fine art and gift of the music.

We are passionate about sharing our professional music teaching skills with the Ave Maria Homeschool Community. Each class applies what it has learned to the joy of singing together as a choir. Students learn how to properly use their God-given voice and sing to the best of their abilities. The sequential building blocks of learning basic music elements opens doors to a lifetime of skills and enjoyment, whether consumers, listeners or performers. The homeschool choirs and general music experience is rooted and presented from the perspective of Catholicism, learning the history and musical literature from Gregorian Chant to the 21st century music. The people of God created music from the earliest recorded times in human history, from David's psalms to the development of Gregorian Chant and the progression of music throughout history, celebrating and acknowledging every aspect of Catholic life.

Philip Nelson has bachelor’s and master's degrees in music education, certified K-12, and has taught music for over 25 years, grades 7-12, in public and Catholic schools. Cheryl Nelson has a bachelor's degree in music education and a law degree, has taught music K-12 for 5 years in both public and Catholic schools, and served as a church accompanist throughout her professional career.

The Nelsons were drawn to Ave Maria because of its emphasis on building Catholic community and moved here in August of 2021. They are passionate about offering their combined music teaching skills experience and love of the Lord Jesus Christ to the youth of the Ave Maria Home School community.

“The one who sings,” St. Augustine of Hippo (+430) said, “prays twice!”

As Catholic music educators we believe that through the study of music and song, we can inspire reverence in the Eucharistic Lord and His Blessed Mother "twice as much.”

Ephesians 5:19 SING and make music from your HEART to the LORD!

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the LORD Always, again I say Rejoice!

Mozart gave us God’s Laughter! Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a devout Catholic who composed over 60 pieces of sacred music, including masses, motets, and oratorios: Mass in C minor K. 427, Ave verum corpus K. 618, Requiem mass K. 626, Vesperae solennes de confessore in 3 Minor, Exsultate, jubilate, K. 165, Church Sonatas:Mozart's sacred music is still part of the Catholic church choir repertoire today.

Beethoven gave us God’s Fire! Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) composed several works of Catholic music, including two masses, an oratorio, and a hymn: Missa Solemnis, Mass in C major, Christ on the Mount of Olives, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.

Bach gave us God’s Word! Bach composed a total of five masses. In the Roman Catholic mass there are five main sections—Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus (including a Benedictus) and Agnus Dei.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, composer of some of the greatest Catholic Mass settings, said it best: "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the Glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

Catholic centered homeschool choirs will develop natural God-given voices to sing to the best of their abilities with a song repertoire coordinating with the Catholic liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, including patriotic songs and more! These lively musical sessions create a CHOIR singing experience for homeschool families, students K-12, as students learn the joy of singing together. From the simple fun of campfire singing to large congregational hymns of praise and thanksgiving at Mass, students will learn lifetime skills and understand the beauty and fine art of music making together.

STUDENT CLASS RECITAL for parents and guests will be on the last class day of each Session. (Participation is optional)

The general music curriculum is educationally certified according to the National Core Arts Standards, teaching with highly interactive sessions the basic rudiments of music history, theory, harmony, melody and rhythm, all from the Catholic perspective, noting the great contributions of Catholic musicians over all of the ages.

No experience is required. Any student who has the desire to become part of a group shared experience of learning, studying, performing and making music together will succeed. Music is an International Language. Ability and prior experience, whether vocal or instrumental, is always appreciated.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS Catholic Identity & Leadership. Here in the beautiful town of Ave Maria, we will begin every music class with a prayer, the Hail Mary. Each student is expected to act respectfully towards themselves, each other, the music teacher and the entire class. Being respectful to all others is reinforced in the context of how God wants us

to live, especially treating everyone else like we would treat Jesus.

Each student is encouraged to do his or her best to participate, by raising his or her hand before talking or getting out of a seat, not interrupting others and personally growing in the understanding and study of music.

All students will be taught age-appropriate lessons of general music in Solfege/Pitch, Listening, Dynamics, Melody, Harmony, Unison, Chords, Patterns in music, Creating music, Timbre, Form, Expression, and Learning to read iconic music notation and sing Catholic and American songs. We are striving to teach and develop over time, the fundamental rubrics of melody, harmony, rhythm and reading of notation in the sequential building of a choral program. Each group by age/grade level will mature year by year, so after 2 years and easily by 3 years the performance quality and capability of the individual groups will have grown noticeably in tone, in quality and overall musicianship.

We teach all ages and grade levels from Kindergarten through 12th grade. K-12 students are grouped by age and development, i.e., K-2nd; 3rd-5th; 6th-8th; 9th-12th grades. Facilitated, presented and instructed by professional, experienced music educators, the highly interactive music sessions are custom designed to the meet individual student levels of understanding.

WHEN, Classes begin Wednesday, January 8, - May 28, 2025.

Proposed 60 minute Class times with grade level are as follows:

9am: K-2nd

10am: 3rd-5th

11am: 6th-8th

12pm: 9th-12th

WHERE, Ave Maria South Park #2 Pavilion. (Rain or Shine)

HOW MANY CLASSES, 1 Class each week, Total of 31 Classes full academic year in 3 sessions.

ACADEMIC YEAR CALENDAR  SCHEDULE 2025

1st. SESSION is 10 Weeks:  

Wednesdays, January 8 to March 19, 2025.

No Classes on ASH WEDNESDAY March 5, 2025.

2nd. SESSION is 10 Weeks: 

Wednesdays, March 26 to May 28, 2025.                                                             

SUMMER BREAK:

No Classes June 1 to September 30, 2025.

3rd. SESSION is 11 Weeks:  

Wednesdays, October 1 to December 17, 2025.

No Classes on Nov. 26, 2025, Day before THANKSGIVING

Students are welcome to join the class at any time.

Students are encouraged to attend all 3 consecutive Sessions of the academic school year to optimize their on going sequential learning, musical development, understanding and overall growth in the vocal, choral participation and general music studies.

Ave Maria HomeSchool Choirs & General Music

HomeSchoolChoirs.Music@gmail.com

We are “Step Up for Students” Tutor providers.

FAQs! Questions & Answers please see Website 😊

AveMariaHomeSchoolChoirs.com

WHEN, Classes begin Wednesday, January 8, - May 28, 2025.

Proposed 60 minute Class times are as follows:

9am: K-2nd; 10am: 3rd-5th; 11am: 6th-8th; 12pm: 9th-12th;

WHERE, Ave Maria South Park #2 Pavilion. (Rain or Shine)

HOW MANY CLASSES,1 Class each week, Total of 31 Classes full academic year in 3 sessions.

ACADEMIC YEAR CALENDAR  SCHEDULE 2025

1st. SESSION is 10 Weeks:   

Wednesdays, January 8 to March 19, 2025.

      No Classes on ASH WEDNESDAY March 5, 2025.

2nd. SESSION is 10 Weeks:  Wednesdays, March 26 to May 28, 2025.                                                             

SUMMER BREAK: No Classes June 1 to September 30, 2025.

3rd. SESSION is 11 Weeks:   Wednesdays, October 1 to December 17, 2025.

             No Classes on Nov. 26, 2025, Day before THANKSGIVING

Why do Cheryl & I teach the study, practice, listening

and performing of the art of music making? Because

MUSIC is ART

You will recognize beauty, form, emotions, feelings.

MUSIC is History

Music is a reflection of national cultures, environments, time and history.

MUSIC is Mathematical

It is rhythmically based on subdivisions of time calculated into fractions.

MUSIC is a Science

It is exact, specific; and it demands exact acoustics. A conductors’s full score is a chart, a graph which indicates frequencies, intensities, volume changes, dynamics, melody, and harmony all at once with the most exact control of time and rhythm.

MUSIC is Physical Education

Music requires brain and muscular coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lips, cheeks, face, diaphragm, back, chest, ears, the whole body of mind and muscles.

MUSIC is a Foreign Language

Western Music is Universally used and understood world-wide. The Music notation is a highly developed version of shorthand that uses symbols to represent pitches on music staff paper. The semantics of music has developed musical terms from Italian, German and French.

We are passionate about making wonderful music memories for your children, creating Choirs & General Music Classes for HomeSchool Families. Singing is a great way to bring people together, forming a strong home schooling community ethos.

Please don’t hesitate to email us with any other questions and please consider spreading the word and invite other homeschooling families here in Ave Maria to join in learning and music making together.

Our goal is to present during the day, Ave Maria HomeSchool students the opportunity to experience Choirs & General Music Classes, like public and private school students!

Let's share the gift of MUSIC EDUCATION with all HomeSchooling families!

“ We are passionate about making wonderful music memories for your children, creating Choirs & General Music Classes for HomeSchool Families. Singing is a great way to bring people together, forming a strong home schooling community ethos. Our Ave Maria homeschool choir community with its members meeting, making new friends and developing their singing enjoyment through active participation with others is a great personal joy for us as directors and general music educators!

The learning, studying and developing of music’s universal language will open doors to last a lifetime in musical enjoyment as educated music consumers, listeners and performers.” Philip & Cheryl Nelson

THE GIFT OF MUSIC!

Thank you for your sincere interest, time and investing in the development of music educational skills for your children.

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, composer of some of the greatest Catholic Mass settings, said it best: "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the Glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

Psalm 96

1 Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Ephesians 5:19

"Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord"

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord Always"

“In SONG, faith is experienced as joy, love, and confident expectation of the saving intervention of God.” Pope St. John Paul II’s Letter to Artists

CODA 🎼 We would encourage you to consider sharing this new exciting educational opportunity with other homeschool parents. Ave Maria Homeschool Choirs & General Music.

🎶 Thank You. 🎶

It is a great personal joy for us as directors and general music educators to teach your children.

May God Bless You, family and loved ones,

Philip & Cheryl Nelson Music Educators 🎼 🎹